Secretary's Word: Looking Forward and Backwards - One Last Time

“Even when the air currents are ascending, no bird can soar except by outstretched wings.”

Welcome to the final Word. Tonight is the last of the evening games before the team begin their final preparations towards victory in December by playing similar conditions to Varsity day.

Last Wednesday’s fixture against the Major Stanley’s XV produced a fitting spectacle of rugby by ending with a deciding score in the 82nd minute, unfortunately against us. Although disappointed to have not ended on the right side, there were some positives to be taken from the game for the Dark Blues. All in all the spirit in which the match was played meant all, players and spectators alike, enjoyed it. Thanks to all those who braved the cold that is definitely a fixture I hope lives long into the future.

We are now into the business end of the season, and have worked extremely hard up to now. Competitions for places are tight. Be under no illusions to think that a provisional squad for Twickenham exists. It doesn’t. The next three games are crucial for players wanting to take the field on the 7th. How you as players respond is up to you, but know this…the coaches have done what they can, the rest is up to you!

In other club news a group girls I’ve been joking about for the few weeks (one of who is going steady with Pete Jenkins) were disappointed not to be mentioned in last week’s Word. Well here it is girls your 15 characters of fame! In contrast, Ben Durham asked me not to mention him…DOH!

The latest edition of the Clubs newsletter will shortly be distributed, make sure you get your hands on a copy... a sneak preview revealed an article by James Gaunt on life in the Castle and the intense rivalry with the self proclaimed house in Oxford, the Skip, as well as other insights into OURFC. I’m surprised he had the time to write such an extensive piece!

Tonight’s is the final game Anton ‘Fun Sail’ and I will grace the fields of Iffley Road.

Looking for jobs is never fun, so when the opportunity came to read at Oxford, I grabbed it and never looked back. I arrived by train from London to meet Steve Hill and discuss the prospects of joining OURFC. I remember being quite nervous meeting the director of such a famous club. Perhaps I’m too small to play for this team, or haven’t got what it takes. After all, twice now I played against Oxford for Trinity College Dublin and got absolutely hammered!

That was 2.5 years ago, and I’m now back at square one – looking for jobs, though that square is a lot bigger now. A thesaurus of words could not describe the incredible experience I’ve had here, the people I’ve met, or how much I’ve grown as a person. Even my culinary skills have improved – thanks Dave! I will truly miss Oxford and everything it has to offer, especially all the great friends I’ve made (including you Clive). Slan, agus go raibh mile maith agat. Is mise le meas Risteard Mac Goille Na Caoilte.

Thank you to everyone for supporting the Blues thus far. We hope to see you on the 7th of December for what will be a wonderful shoeing of the tabs.

Word out…for good!

Richie Woods (St Anne’s)