According to my memory the last time you heard from me was in March 2020 and I was writing about our imminent trip to play our National Vase quarter final in rural Wiltshire.

The day came and as Gloucester 1 champions already we were confident and expectant of a successful day. The weather was pleasant enough for the time of year and under the nose of the Westbury white horse we saw the lads move comfortably into the semi-final and a showdown with Hendon RFC for our second attempt to get to rugby HQ.

After the game we adjourned to the bar where the old farts discussed their man of the match, we celebrated, we chatted with our hosts and listened to speeches. The semi-final was discussed, and hopes were high, but as the stragglers for the coach home were hunted down, it had dawned on most that we had just watched our last game for the foreseeable future.

Indeed, Boris delivered his speech a few days later, ending our cup run, our league conclusion and pretty much everything else. That period after was devoid of everything. No work for some, no sport, no socializing, no events, not forgetting the depressing nightly updates from Boris and his scientists.

Life didn’t completely stop of course and most of you kept busy by moving into new homes, starting new businesses and rearranging marriages and holidays. Others began working hard to increase I’m the junior section of the club as the number of new babies born to club members will attest!

In the meantime, club officers continued to manage club affairs sensibly whilst maintenance, training and other club activities continued as and when rules allowed, and this has meant that the club faces the upcoming season in good health and ready to go.

There have of course been a few changes over that time. A few players have moved on but many more have joined whilst Eric Reddy and Matt Hurdle take over at the top to continue the excellent work of departing Chairman Martyn Langbridge. In terms of stability, Rob Stokes continues as treasurer and Cherrie Blair stays on as General Secretary whilst Chad Crosby remains the club captain and is probably now the longest serving after first taking on the role midway through the 2014/15 season.

Previous Head Coach Jake McMahon moved back to his boyhood club and good friends Gordon League with the hope to move the club forward as he did so well for us. A great coach who will always be welcome at Old Cryptians.

Club Captain Crosby joins new Head Coach Gavin Worrall in planning for the challenge of playing in the Gloucestershire Premier League. They will also be busy planning more than the normal amount of pre-season friendlies and socials due to their only being league rugby this season after all the upcoming season’s cup competitions were cancelled.

The junior section headed up by Steve Parry looks as strong as ever with over 100 youngsters of all ages signed on and the sight of them returning to the pitches on a Sunday morning will be a joy. There are changes here too, and the club are looking for volunteer coaches for the U7 and U8s sides whilst also needing more first aiders of which the club has organized courses. Get in touch if interested. In addition, all children must now be registered this season to comply with new RFU legislation, so more paperwork!

So, all very positive. On the slightly negative, we all know that sponsorship money is essential for the club and Greg Barton will have a challenge encouraging sponsors to re-engage after their difficult times and whilst the treasurer has said that ‘although we are solvent and in good health for now, we will need to raise our bar prices’ (which were reduced during the lockdown to encourage members to return) ‘and ask all members who understandably cancelled their memberships during lockdown to reactivate them to ensure we stay that way’. These measures will I’m sure, make him very popular!

Finally, all that remains, is to remind you that the club is open for business, training is ramping up, events are being planned and we are looking forward to some meaningful rugby in the next few weeks starting this Saturday with two fixtures!

OCRFC Club XV vs Smiths RFC (H) for a 2:30pm kick off.

OCRFC 2nd/3rd XV vs Norton RFC (A) for a 2:30pm kick off.

Two very big games. Smiths have always been a strong physical side and thorn in every teams side so all to play for.

Whilst Norton celebrate their 10 year anniversary in a fixture we were more than happy to accept.

So, players, supporters, WAGs, old farts and friends, I’ll see you all soon.

OCRFC
GBTS

Some dates for the diary.

Fri 3rd Sept - Cricket vsGloucester Cricket Club (A) 17:30
Sat 4th Sept - Club XV vs Smiths RFC (H) 14.30
Sat 4th Sept - 2nd/3rd XV vs Norton RFC (A) 14:30
Sun 5th September – Junior section restarts training
Fri 10th September – 2nds V Brockworth 1sts (H) 19.30
Sat 11th Sept – TBC
Sat 18th Sept – Club Social – Coach to Cinderford v Chinnor 10am

League games
Sat 25th September – Glos Premier - Coney Hill v OCRFC (A)
Sat 25th September – Glos2 North - OCRFC 2 v Stroud 2 (H)
Sat 25th September – Glos & District 2 - Gloucester Old Boys 2 v OCRFC 3 (A)

Other events and news will be posted on the club’s media as and when.