After a very enjoyable but productive and focused pre-season, we stand on the edge of the season proper in great anticipation.

Our sessions over the summer averaged around 45 players but regularly pushed on towards 65-70. This shows a huge amount of respect for he sessions all the coaches were putting together.

Changes to the game plan meant that all of the players started from the same point of learning and this meant that as a group the squad developed together.

Never was this more clearly shown than in the thumping of a talented Brighton side and the game against Bishop Stortford where we were drawing at the end of the second period of 30 minutes.

From my perspective what was so pleasing was the interchangeable nature of the squad, which demonstrates a real depth in talent and creates very positive headaches for me and the management team.

We have seen the introduction of some very talented guys not least Ali Bennett who came from Ellingham and Ringwood. Toby Kenneally a hard nosed kiwi who has moved to the area from Holland and Adam Davies and Freddie Gleadowe who have joined after completing their medical studies. The most recent addition is the Army Lock Dave Bates who will bring a real maturity and hard nosed pragmatism.

We are incredibly ambitious as a group and genuinely believe that with the increase in standard of 2nd team rugby and the playing pool that we have that we should be very competitive. It's incredibly exciting.

Rugby is a technical game but one which is won in the minds as much as on the pitch and watching the squad bond as they have has been really heart warming. Some would use hyperbole about dying for your brother, or shedding blood for the man either side of you. We as coaches are far more simplistic, good people tend to make better rugby players. They understand sacrifice whether that be time in the gym or picking up knocks. They know that working as a unit will always beat the individual Maverick. They see responsibility in their actions and they rejoice in their pals success. Whether picked in the fifths, thirds or firsts the first question the boys ask is how did the others get on. This really is one squad of 80 players just separated by 80 minutes on a Saturday.

I can't wait for the season, please come and support all of the teams, they really are a special bunch who deserve roaring on.

Will Croker, Head Coach and Director of Rugby