Once again we continue to thrive as one of the better clubs in West London, both in terms of our performances on the field and our ability to attract and hold on to new players. Record numbers of new guys turned up for pre-season training and stayed with us throughout the year. Training this season was extremely well run due largely to the efforts of our resident club coach Len Hillhouse and our first team captain Phil Cooper - well done boys.

Having completed the double last season: Middlesex Cup champions & promotion to Herts & Middlesex league 1, a rather confusing Firsts campaign started with a stutter when we lost to those we'd expect to beat and vice versa. But then as the season rolled on so did we, ending with some glorious games in the sunshine of March and April. Remaining in the higher league has been a priority for the club as in previous seasons promotion has often been short lived. We are more than pleased with last seasons promotion and our 3rd placing this season, both of which has meant we have stayed up for the first time in the clubs history - a great achievement.

The second team, captained by Terry Maguire, has had a very mixed season. A crop of new players and a handful of regulars have played what has arguably been one of the toughest seasons for the Twos for quite some time. As with the Ones, maintaining their current league placing has been the main focus of the team captain. Let's see what happens next season when the gates open and the boys once again do battle on the field of dreams.

What can be said about the Vets that hasn't already been written in legend? Skippered by the new boy on the block, Stuart Barclay, the Vets - now renamed The Occasionals - have played over 10, yes that's more than 10 games of rugby! Playing new and old players plus a few boys returning from injury has been the main change in the make up of the Occasionals team, plus the reintroducing old favourites like changing room jugs and late beers at the bar have meant that all that have played or watched have left the club with a smile on their face - and likely a sore head in the morning! More of the same next season is promised.

This year Adam 'Move in a bit, no over that way a little, ok come this way a tad' Moghem will be taking over from Len Hillhouses as our new club coach. Adam will in no doubt do a fantastic job of putting us through our paces in readiness for the new season and beyond. Everyone is encouraged to come along whether new to the game or in the twilight of a career - big, small, fat or thin - and will be greeted by the renowned welcome that OA's have become famous for in the Rugby world.

We look forward to the upcoming season with optimism and hope to strengthen the club, both on and off the pitch. As ever all new members are welcome.