With all 13 players returning, we were able to hit the ground running and build on our J5 season.

At the start of the season, we asked the boys who wanted to play in the forwards and who wanted to be in the backs. 12 of 13 hands flew up in unison to be in the backs. A few games into the season, we saw the boys gravitating to their natural positions – some just couldn’t stay out of the breakdown and were always hunting for the ball. We saw mid-field combinations developing while others hung out on the wing waiting for a pass to side-step their way to the try line. It has been fantastic to see them all playing to their skills and strengths.

Playing as a team was the theme of the season, with a focus on getting the ball quickly through hands out to the wings. And when it happened, it was magic. The boys were motivated to keep learning and progressing with improvements throughout the season in passing, at the breakdown, dominating the mauls, and we even tried a few kicks (for better or worse).

Together they produced a season of rugby that was so much fun to watch and provided plenty of excitement and great team bonds. With 14 games played this season, resulting in 10 wins and four losses, the team has much to be proud of.

I am just as proud of the results as I am of their sportsmanship. Even in the hard games, they kept their heads up, never gave up, kept talking and always found something to smile about (especially when the opposition lost their pants in a tackle!).

I want to acknowledge the contribution of Ryan, who was Assistant Coach again this season, our refs, Chris and Eric, who were steadfastly fair and consistent with their calls, and our fantastic group of supporters who have enthusiastically cheered the team on helped at training, washed the jerseys and run the sub bench.