There are always mixed emotions when you watch a one-sided game and so it was at Guildford where our Development squad was too hot for their B's. You can only play what's in front of you and it was not the fault of our lads who put in an awesome display of powerful tackling, running and skillful touches which produced a 12 try demolition of a plucky and game Guildford B, short of several of their normal players.

You have to feel for Guildford, we've been on the receiving end of this kind of hammering before and it's not nice. It was pleasing that they stuck to their task, carried on playing to the best of their ability and everyone in the crowd cheered when they got their try and converted it.

I don't want that to detract from the performance of our lads who were brilliant on the day and showed the huge improvement in the depth of quality in the squad this season. We've played our full squad, not just our best XV, in several outings this season - Haslemere, Teddington and the Windsor tournament spring to mind - and the exposure to high quality opposition has produced great benefits. We've won all our development fixtures so far this season to show that even when we're without our stars we're a force to be reckoned with.

It was great to return to Fortress Anstey to watch 5 of our lads play for the U17 Colts against the U17/U18 Colts team from Trojans. They all did themselves proud with Alton the victors 15-0 in the Plate semi final. The U17 Colts now face our local rivals Petersfield at Penns Place next Sunday in the Hampshire Plate final and we're hopeful that even more U16s will be drafted into the U17 Colts squad for that game. 

To facilitate selection and encourage as many of you as possible to turn out and support them, we've cancelled our fixture at Chobham next Sunday morning and replaced it with home coaching. To win the Hampshire U17 Colts Plate would be a great boost for the club, the Colts and the U16s - proving that the stepping stone from Juniors to Colts is not a difficult one, we hope the majority of this U16 squad make the step next season and form the basis of an excellent Colts team for the next couple of years.

Home coaching will also give parents the ideal opportunity to sell some of those RFU Grand Draw tickets at the clubhouse and, weather permitting, out on the field.

Another piece of great news! Joe Gwyther made it through the preliminary London & South East Divisional trial today, progressing to the next trial stage over the weekend of 21 and 22 January. We wish him good luck for that. The downside is that Joe will miss our next League game v Portsmouth on 22 January, however so will Portsmouth's Ross Miller so we won't be unduly disadvantaged.

Our best wishes go to Kit Trigg who had 11 stitches in a lip injury after the game at Guildford. A stark reminder for all players never to forget your gumshield! Three hours in A&E is no fun for player or parent. Also to Oscar Jermyn who had to retire from the game with cramp - let's hope our speedy playmaker has not strained or torn that calf and makes a full and speedy recovery!

See you all on Thursday evening.