The end of the line

The end of the line for Luke's school boy rugby...today they played their last match ever, and what a match it was. Each and every boy in the team played with absolute determination and drive, they gave it all they had, but sadly lost. This was expected to be a tough match, it is always the final match of the season which draws a large crowd of supporters, and is the one match of the season that is usually reported on in the Monday morning Times and Telegraph newspapers. The opposition were superb, they had the advantage of size and playing on their home pitch. I was just grateful that Luke came out of there uninjured (apart from a heavy nose bleed and cuts and scratches!)

Here you have their captain, Matt, leading them off the pitch, their heads held high despite their hearts breaking. This team have bonded so well this season, starting with the 3 week tour to South Africa in the summer and ending now on a chilly December day. Watch out for Matt - he already plays for England U18 and I have no doubt we will see him play for the main England squad one day. He has been a superb captain and is a brilliant rugby player.

Luke could barely speak, he was so overcome with emotion at the end of his school boy rugby career. He just wanted to get in the car and go home. I guess boys are more emotional than we think. Now we are about to go out to the rugby dinner, with parents and boys and coaches to celebrate their fantastic season.

Adam, who surprisingly played prop last week in the 3rd team (surprising as he is lean and not built like a prop) was moved up to the 2nd team this week and they won 20-7. He was delighted!