The players knew going into this game that they had a chance to do something special, and you could feel the excitement building as the squad (and a few brave partners!) travelled on the bus to Windsor Ave, New Malden.

The warm-up went well, and you could see which side wanted it more as Wandsworthians began arriving a good half an hour after the Mere had started going through their pre-match structures. The weather was going to play a big part in the game today - cloudy, but very gusty.

The game kicked off and almost immediately the home team were making use of the wind, pinning Haslemere back in their own 22 and building pressure on the defensive line. A Wandsworthian try inside the first 5 minutes made for a number of frustrated Haslemere players as they knew they hadn’t yet kicked into gear. Another try a few minutes later, and it looked like it was going to be a very long day at the office for the visiting team.

However, as this team has shown time and again, its not over until its over. A piece of individual brilliance from Centre Will Wright - running out from his own try line - and quick ruck ball from the forwards, saw Winger James Stevens touch down in the corner. Tebbit converted the extra and it was game on once more. Haslemere had now found their rhythm, and it was unsettling the home side. Once more the Seniors were employing the tactics worked on in training, and it was paying dividends.

Now camped out inside the Wandsworthians half, the visitors were comfortably moving the ball - and the defence - around the park. Once again, quick ruck ball from the 5 meter line resulted in try number two for the Seniors, this time coming courtesy of Haslemere stalwart Chris McGrory, having found himself out in the back line (presumably by mistake!). The extra points weren’t taken, but at 12-14 this game was becoming a much more engaging affair!

The home side weren’t done yet, and managed to get two more tries in before the break through some well drilled forwards play and clever use of the windy conditions and territory play. 12-21 down with 40mins remaining is a big ask, but as the players huddled up around Coach Dan Brockhurst there as a sense that this game was by no means put to bed.

With the second half underway it was clear Wandsworthians were playing to protect their lead and this gave the Mere some freedom to run the ball back and build on their quick ruck play. Once again, the Haslemere backs looked dangerous on the ball, working their moves well and causing all kinds of headaches for the defence. Another Mere try brought the visitors to within 4 points and it really felt as if the home team didn’t have an answer to the Haslemere play. With 15 minutes to go, Big Danny Leeds sauntered through endless Wandsworthian tackles to score and take the visitors 1 point clear.

It was an incredibly nervy end to the game, however Haslemere had the beating of this team; lineouts were solid, the scrums were powerful and first up tackles were made everywhere. With less than a minute to go, the referee blew for a penalty right in front of the Mere posts. This was easily kickable and it looked as if the fightback had come to nothing. For whatever reason (and we’ll leave this for others to ponder at their leisure), the home side elected to kick for the corner! Mere disrupted the subsequent lineout brilliantly, and the ball was prodded out of play to secure the victory.

As you can imagine, the bus ride home was a rowdy affair. The players celebrating their best season for the club in some-very-long-time, the coach happy in a job well done and the travelling supporters were treated to joyous - if not entirely tuneful - singing all the way back to the clubhouse.

Rounding up the league: The 19/20 season has been a huge success for the Senior team. The most amount of points scored (235) and least conceded (370) in at least the last 6yrs. 22 league points, 15 of them coming in the last 6 games, speaks volumes to the development of the Senior squad over the last year and especially through the last few months. There is now the Surrey 4 Chairmans Shield competition to look forwards to, and a very real chance for some silverware to round out the season.

Come on the Mere!