Shipston finished a long and largely frustrating season with a much deserved victory of neighbours Harbury at Mayo Road. After an overnight downpour and a smattering of snow, conditions were difficult for expansive rugby, but the Rams started very brightly, making the most of the wind and the slope to score the opening try within a matter of minutes. After a knock-on from the kick off, Shipston won the scrum and made their way down field, playing with pace and intensity. After a number of phases of quick ball, the play was spread left through the hands for George Waywell to touch down for the opening score of the game. The kick from out wide narrowly missing the target.
Shipston remained on top, despite some poor interpretations at the break down, and were awarded their second try of the match, when William 'Spider' Gasson showed good strength to break a couple of tackles and trot in under the sticks. No mistake from the tee this time, Sam Cooper knocking over the conversion for a 12-0 lead. A further score came from veteran Andrew Powell. After a period of sustained pressure and mounting phases, Powell pick the ball up from the ruck and showed all of his experience to pirouette away from the defender and collapse over the line. The conversion was again added by Cooper to bring the half time score to 19-0.

The second half began much the same as the first, with the Rams starting very positively and playing with real intent. They scored a further 3 tries (one apiece for Ollie Morris, George Waywell and Spider Gasson) to take the score up to 34-0 and it looked as though they would push on from here and record a cricket score. Harbury showed great character and spirit to come back into the game however, although Shipston's ill-discipline at the breakdown was largely to blame! They scored 2 tries of their own before the game was done to dampen slightly the mood of the home support. The Rams were too strong overall for the visitors though and a final score of 34-10 was about what both teams deserved from the game.

MOM for me was Dan Phillips, who had a brilliant game in the back row. There were also notable performances from both Gasson's (Toby and Spider), Matt Elliott, Tom Beeley and Sam Cooper to name but a few.

Huge congratulations must go to skipper, George Waywell! He has had the unenviable task of leading us this year and has done so extremely well. It is a real shame that he was not afforded the comforts of regular player availability as some of the captains' that proceeded him were, otherwise I think this season could've panned out a lot differently.

Congratulations again to George and everybody involved. Have a good couple of months off and make sure you all get back for pre-season to hit the ground running for the next campaign.