When myself and Gilly looked at the fixtures for September, coupled with moving into a new league playing against relatively unknown opposition plus a long list of lads unavailable due to trips to France for the World Cup we knew that the first XV going unbeaten would be a tall order. To come away with 21 points from a possible 25 is an excellent achievement, many may argue that if not for some ‘interesting’ refereeing decisions it could have easily been 5 wins from 5. So far this season the 1st XV have used 28 different players which highlights the impact the World Cup has had on selection but also highlights the growing depth of the squad that we have been able to make 5-6 changes each week without any real disruption.
Those players which have joined at the start of the season have all played vital roles in the first XV squad so far this season. With veterans such as Reiss and Jimmy also playing prominent roles being supplemented with an increasing number of former m+j boys has provided excellent strength in depth, with particular mention going to Oscar Ratledge who has put in some fantastic performances before returning to university.
1st XV Results
Birmingham & Solihull 10 - 55 Veseyans
Veseyans 45 - 30 Coalville
Walsall 2s 7 - 60 Veseyans
Veseyans 34 - 18 Claverdon
Coventrians 20 - 15 Veseyans
With a lot of unavailability in September this ultimately proved to be an even bigger challenge for the second XV, who have subsequently lost players to the 1st XV squad. What has been pleasing is the number of fixtures we have managed to fulfil this month even with these challenges something which I know other sides in the local area have been unable to do. I would also like to formally welcome a number of players who have joined throughout September and become regulars in the 2nd XV and have started to push to feature in the 1st XV, Tobias Adkinson, Ryan Taylor, Tom Singleton, James Neville and George Pegg. I am also pleased to see Andrew Kirby back on the pitch, after breaking into the 1st XV 2 years ago Andy suffered a complete tear of his ACL and he has finally made his return to a Veseyans side. Tom Vowles an ex Aston Uni player has also joined and featured for both the 1st and 2nd XV further highlighting the importance of the continued relationship between Veseyans and Aston Uni. I would like to wish Russell and the cobras the best of luck for this forthcoming season.
2nd XV Results
Barton under Needwood 1s/2s 55 - 12 Veseyans 2s
Camp Hill 3s/Aston 2s 10 - 45 Veseyans 2s
Burntwood 3s 7 - 19 Veseyans Casuals
Old Salts 2s 41 - 0 Veseyans 2s
Veseyans 2s 41 - 35 Aston Uni
October Fixtures
14th Oct
1sts home against Old Wheatleyans
2nds away @ Spartans 3s
21st October
1sts away @ Coventry Welsh
2nds home against Aston 2s / Spartans
28th October
No rugby due to the World Cup final
There is a lot to be happy about when looking back on September but as a squad we know we have a lot more in the tank. Having relinquished our place at the top of the league that will be the primary target going into October, but that will require continued commitment to training to improve on those specifics which let us down away at Coventrians. The 1st XV return to action on the 14th at home to Old Wheatleyans who even with their lowly position will be a tough test as they have been in each of their five games all the way to the end. I look forward to seeing many of you down at the V’s throughout October.
Up the V’s!!!!
Ali