BRFC League Champions 2024!!
A huge congratulations to the Beaconsfield RFC 1st XV on winning a magnificent Counties 1 Tribute Southern North league title with three games left to go. The match report from the game against Rams III is below.
It has been an amazing effort by the players themselves and everyone supporting them across the whole club. In particular Head Coach, Phil Smith, supported by an excellent senior coaching team including Aled Lewis, Rob Beck, David Rendell and Manager James Taylor. Director of Rugby, Noel O'Mahony has put together a remarkable team to get us back to Level 6 next season. Beaconsfield RFC 1st XV now plays with flair, making the game look easy at times. Getting the simple things right has allowed us to take our chances freely. Everyone knows their role both on and off the pitch.
What a season it has been so far. From being selected as RFU Team of the Month and Bucks RFU 'Tribute' Team of the Month for November the players have enjoyed an unbeaten run of 19 matches with only one try bonus point dropped, 971 points for and only 128 points conceded. To score 1000 points in any season is exceptional but it has required total focus. The players have shown grit and determination and taken a fearless approach to every game. Fitness levels have been excellent and the defensive work rate has been second to none in our league. This has often allowed us to capitalise in the latter stages of games to score more tries than in any season before.
Here is just one excellent example, featured on ITV Rugby's Grassroots Beauts in January: https://x.com/itvrugby/status/...
"Congratulations to all the players, coaches, physios and management for the 1st xv outstanding achievement in not just winning but smashing the league. Since the introduction of the leagues back in the mid 90s we’ve been at this level for roughly 80% of the time. During all that time no side has ever had as successful season as we have just had. We have literally knocked it out if the park and it’s testament to the hard work and effort all the players, coaches, Phil and Aled especially, have put in all season long. There is a big step up in level 6, hopefully back in the London leagues too, but sustaining that level is now the immediate ambition. Looking forward to celebrating in style with all the teams next Saturday post Hungerford and Wallingford." - Director of Rugby, Noel O'Mahony.
Now we can look forward to the last few games in the league and hopefully a cup run that could take us to Twickenham if we repeat last season's success. Regardless of how the rest of the season goes, I am immensely proud of what this young group of players has achieved this year. I hope, when we look back, that this is the start of something special for them and the club.
Congratulations!!
Laurence Sargent
Chair BRFC
Beaconsfield 1st XV at home in September 2023
Rams III v Beaconsfield RFC 1set XV - March 16th 2024
(Match Report by Richard Gommo)
Beaconsfield made it a quite stunning 19 wins out of 19, and secured promotion to Level 6 rugby next year, with a crushing victory away at Reading Rams.
On a heavy pitch, that perhaps favoured the much heavier home team, the first half was, initially, a fairly even affair, with little between the sides. However, hard work by the relentlessly scavenging back row of Barney Gücklehorn, Rhys Amos and Callum Saganowski secured increasing possession for Beaconsfield’s irrepressible human eel at 9, Alex Spring, to unleash the backs. Right winger Tyson Evans-Peters was first to score, with a powerful long range effort from 70 metres out. Left winger Dan Lofthouse-Smith [pictured] was not to be outdone, and soon also scorched in from his own 22. Captain, and mercurial centre, Henry Revill was next up, from a perfectly executed training move, strolling in unopposed under the posts to take the score at half-time to 0 – 19.
The writing was now on the wall, as Beaconsfield’ superior fitness, and much stronger bench, came into play. The hardworking Henry Revill was to score again soon, this fourth try securing the bonus point. The floodgates then opened, and Beaconsfield’s trademark ambitious commitment to width, and attacking from anywhere, lead to a further eight tries, including two more for Evans-Peters. The match was also marked by impressive, mature, performances from some of the younger players in the squad, including promising lock Bobby Head, and a spectacular 1st XV debut from Owen Medd at full-back.
Even a four try haul was not enough to secure Man Of The Match for Evans-Peters, who has now scored 14 tries from 13 matches. Other stand-out players included front rowers Tom Field and Tom Rendell, and the maestro conducting operations from fly-half, Joe Thomas, but MOTM honours went to Alex Spring, whose game seems to improve every week, and who nonchalantly scored the last try of the match from under his own posts.
This win, and the results to date, are testament to the incredible work put in by the coaches, manager, players, physios, Director Of Rugby and other volunteers since the long journey began last summer.
The club greatly looks forward to the Papa John Cup at the end of the season, and the big step up to Level 6 next season, but in the near term, to welcoming Wallingford next week, 3pm KO.
Dan Lofthouse-Smith - [Photo credit - Richard Gommo]