Historically we have proved a thorn in their side and someone told me we’ve won nine of the 10 meetings.
But I won’t rub it in.
They are always good games between us and usually very high-scoring.
Last week, however, there was a 154-point difference between their win and our loss.
So it would be nice for that to come down to single figures, whoever takes victory!
This summer will be my 50th with the club and Rotherham was hugely disappointing.
I said to someone if their clubhouse had been higher I’d have thrown myself off it.
However, one thing I later realised was I came off the bench when we lost 77-0 against Dorchester back in Level Seven, so at least I was no longer playing in our heaviest defeat.
First part of Minis Festival fantastic
On a more positive note, we had the first half of our Minis Festival last Sunday – the other is tomorrow – and it was a roaring success.
Everybody enjoyed it and one of my grandsons said it was the best day ever.
So well done to everyone who helped organise it.
Also in the Youth Section, our Under 15s had a great time in Holland, beating Birmingham Moseley in the final of a tournament with some 70 teams from across Europe.
Well done to them.
It brings back a memory of my last tour to Holland when our tight-head prop Graham Smith went through the floor of the clubhouse – he was suddenly seen halfway up to his chest with the rest below.
Plenty of our lads will be playing for Berkshire Under 20s at Gloucestershire tomorrow, hoping to get to the semi-finals.
It’s a high standard and good luck to them.
It should be an entertaining game if you want to see some good rugby at Stroud RFC.
Thanks to sponsor and a sell-out lunch
I’m grateful to Steve Rossington and Rheavendors for sponsoring the ball today.
He’s an old friend who I’ve played with, toured with, and when his parents used to run The Queen Victoria down in Hare Hatch, we had a few good lock-ins.
It’s great he’s become involved in the past few years, joining our long list of sponsors.
It’s also brilliant we have a sell-out lunch including a large group of Under 6s – the future of the club.
And also, a former players’ table organised by Ollie Taylor – that will give me some ammunition!
A tribute to Chinnor stalwart
Elsewhere we are sad to learn of Simon Vickers’ passing at Chinnor.
I’d known him for almost 50 years and played against him as a Colt, then again in the early 80s when we were respective first-team captains.
We crossed swords many times – at least when we were on the pitch we could thump each other – but when we became officers of our clubs we kept our hands in our pockets.
Simon was a force to be reckoned with and took Chinnor from being a village club to the Championship.
He will be very sadly missed by a lot of people.
Finally, with just two weeks to go of an up-and-down season, I put the ball very much in the players’ court to make sure we finish on a high and build for next season.
When I’m asked: ‘Does the club want to move forward?’ I reply: ‘Look around you’
Now it needs to be matched on the field.
