2017-2018

Simon Lister (back from Japan) and Pud Cowburn filled the void left by Pablo Harding but the omens were not good for the coming season as we lost an awful lot of players during the summer.  The Lewendon brothers and Tom Drummond went to Yeovil, Ben Davies, George Carter, Sean Murphy and Billie Hayne all went to Wimborne, Dave Rawles returned to Dorchester, Ben Melhuish returned to Chew Valley Matteo Placidi went to Puddletown.  Adam Simler was posted away from Bovington Camp.  Jephte Moncur (JT) moved to London, Elliott May to Bath and Patrick Clarke to Hampshire.  Bryn Llewellyn started at Cardiff University, Joel Wilson was unavailable, Danny Dyke was forced into very early retirement, Tom Wellman opted not play and Luc Scadden transferred to Dorchester in late September.  However we welcomed Francesco Orlacchio, an Italian student at Weymouth College, to the Club but because of his age he was unable to play for the 1^st XV until his 17^th birthday in December.  The 2^nd XV folded due to lack of numbers and the 1^st XV struggled to raise a side on several weekends and had to concede two matches.  Captain, Dan Bowditch was plagued by injuries and it was almost impossible for new coaches Simon and Pud to name the same side each week.  The season got off to a bad start with losses to Swanage & Wareham 2^nd XV, Wimborne 2^nd XV and Bridport and by early November we were unable to raise a side to play Dorset Dockers.  Things didn’t get any better in the new year with Dan Bowditch having to relinquish the captaincy due to prolonged injuries.  Dave Oaksford stood in for Dan with the team anchored at the bottom of the league and facing the almost certainty of relegation. To make matters worse the RFU placed the Club at risk which could have had serious consequences for the Club if we failed to fulfil our fixtures.  In mid-March we lost heavily to Dorset Dockers but then the tide began to slowly turn with a victory over Lytchett Minster, only our 3^rd of the season.  With renewed confidence we went on to win our last 3 matches to stave off relegation by just 2 points.

I cannot sign off this year without mentioning the 8 valiant members who when asked to make up the numbers stepped up and travelled to play against Dorset Dockers.  We may have taken a hammering but without them we would have had to concede the game, which may have forced the RFU to close down the Club.  Well done and a big thank you to Dan Curley, Andy Dewell, Rory Frost, Jody Goodrick, Anthony Van Doers Goss, Sonny Scadden, Harry Williams and Glen Winnard.