North then, north across the steep escarpment that bounds our land, north over the wide wide tarmacadam river with its endless circular traffic. North, again, to the land of Croy-Don for our brave boys.

North again, indeed, for tales of our recent skirmishes on the Southern Borders of Croy-Don are rife in the camp.

The Old Whits of Croy-Don are legendary; tough, skilled and well drilled. Lessons were learned from out last visit, but wounded pride heals slow.

Now we know some of their ways. But of their leader, only rumour can tell. Some say he is a giant, some say he runs like smoke on the storm, some say his hair is living flame, some say they saw him in Morrisons with his Mum and is just a normal 8 year old boy. Whatever the truth in these fireside tales, our troops are nervous.

The Beccehemians, the Alleynians, the Colfeians, and the Westcombe Parkinsons have all arrived for the battles ahead.

Our Weathermaeven, Carol from the Kirkewood had been reluctant in her prophecies, wary perhaps of the approaching storm making nerves even more on edge.

Arriving we see she has been right in her reticence, the wind whips viciously across the South Croy-Don plains and up into the foothills of the Croham Hills, driving leaves before it like a fleeing, darting, army. The narrow streets filling rapidly with all manner of exotic transport from afar, the only common factor being the preference for four wheel drive which is essential in these hills. Beamers from Beckenham, Merks from Mershthan, and unidentifiable machinery from further east pause now and again to disgorge their supplies from the rear, great tents and flags.

Our Gaezebomaester was late, delayed by the storm and some toast. But soon our nylon palace is erect, and we even had a few bits left over.

Those two great Marshals, Chris and Matt, are organising their troops, Lions and Wolves are chosen and cleave into two squads.

But I digress….There was a Rugby Tournament on.

First up, Old Alleynians.

Our first game looked well matched, and our two teams set themselves up on adjacent pitches. The idea was to aggregate the scores so all clubs played at the same time. Alleynians had already played a game, so we needed to be "on it" from the go.

Reigate made some early tackles into touch, and won turnovers, but despite some slick passing at times they sometimes went astray at the crucial time.

The score lines didn't reflect the way we played, and we should have drawn one game.

Lost 2-0 and 3-2.

Next, the Old Beccehamians

After the disappointment of the previous game, the boys were fired up for this one. And what fire, Matthew A scoring from the first pass of the game. Many of the newer boys had caught tournament fever by now, and tackles were being made by all.

Harry B had decided that he was an armored tank, and was driving straight and strong into the opposition. Sometimes 4 players hanging off him (tackles are only tackles if below the armpits, despite protestations from opposition coaches) as he monstered forward.

With one stronger opposition team the games were quite different, and passing in the crucial moments was still difficult. But both teams played exceptionally well to score out first win !

Won 1-1 and 5:2.

And finally, the BIG one

Old Whits again, familiar. Lots of boys up for this one. And up for tackling "him". And early try to Reigate in one match, but in the other an early try from a familiar opposing player. Despite some valiant defending, their ability to get runners onto the ball at pace meant we were outscored.

Lost 5:2 and 4:2.

4th Match - Blackheath

Blackheath were big. Even the smaller boys were big. And clearly very well organised. More tough tackling was required, and so many stepped up again and again. Jack G was as brave as ever, tackling hard no matter what the size of the player.

Just too good for us in the end, Blackheath tackled fiercely, always in pairs or threes, and drove backwards each time. Good learning for us.

Lost 6:3 and 3:0.

And into our last two matches - 5th - Westcome Park

From looking at previous matches we knew we might have a chance in these last two matches.

Another step up in play from all the boys, slightly reticent tacklers from a week ago were suddenly giving it their all in support of their teams. And another new boy, Noah, was now scoring at will.

An outrageous long range try from Matthew A, ignoring cries to "take the tackle", burst through tackles, stepped over prone players to score and cap a great game.

Won 4-2 and 2-2

Last game against just one side from Old Colfeians

With the festival running late, some players headed off early as our last game was against just one team. And we were on top form

Won 7-1

So 3 wins and 3 losses, and 4th in the table on points.

Old Alleynians (24)
Blackheath (20)
Old Whits (18)
**Reigate** (12)
Beccs (6)
Westcombe Park (4)
Old Colfeians (0)

A very good result against teams that have a much larger player base and only take a selected squad.

We invited all our players, some had not played many matches, and to finish mid-table was a great result, and so much improvement all round.

Well done to the following "outstanding performance" players.

Alexander H
Alex S
Matthew A

Jack G
Harry B
Noah

Bring on 2016 !