THE 2008/2009 SEASON

The 2008/2009 Season must go down as the most successful for the first XV since the leagues started. 2^nd place in London Division 4 SW, with the same number of points as the champions, Weybridge Vandals, means that this is the highest league position so far achieved. Another excellent run in the national cup competition, this time the Senior Vase, saw the 1^st XV fall to a very good Cullompton team in the quarter finals - only two games away from Twickenham. Beating five teams from higher leagues on the way to the quarters bodes well for next season. To cap the season off the Hampshire Bowl was won at Sandown on the Isle of Wight – actually the first piece of silverware won in a 15-aside knockout competition since 1890 (the County Challenge Cup).

Although ending up 5^th in Championship South 1 the Ladies had another good season and were riding high in the table for most of the season but slipped up in the last couple of games. Numbers increased well and a total of 46 players turned out over the season. In fact, numbers were so good that a second XV could be fielded against an Old Albanians 2^nd side although the result was not recorded.

The 2^nd XV were unable to repeat the success of last season, of winning the Senior Merit Table, slipping to 6^th out of 8 but provided good back-up to the 1^st XV during their hectic season.

The 3^rd XV slipped to 8^th out of 10 in the Hampshire Clubs Merit Table Division One but with a creditable 60% record having, again, played more matches than everyone else. This remains a tough table for the 3rds, as 5 out of the 10 teams are club’s 2^nd teams.

The Colts had a very interesting season with a mix of games at Under 19, 18 and 17. The Colts League at under 19 level was very competitive and it was touch and go at the end of the season as to whether the play-offs were achievable but in the end 5^th place had to suffice. The highlight of the season was the senior team winning the Lytchett Minster 7s and they were semi finalist at the New Milton 7s.

The Juniors all had an interesting season with the Under 16s being particularly successful in coming third in Division 1 and winning the New Milton 7s.The Under 15s came 6^th in their Division 1. The Under 14s had a difficult season. They finished 7^th in the league but finished the season with a good tour to Exeter. The Under 13s were Semi finalist in the knock out competition for the Cup

The Minis had their usual hectic season with the Under 7s winning the Trojans Tournament, the Hampshire Cup, the Overton Festival and semi-finalists at both the Havant and IOW tournaments.

The Under 8s were joint winners of the Plate at the Trojans Tournament, won the Overton Plate and were finalists at the Havant and New Milton Tournaments.

The Under 9s reached several tournament semi-finals but never quite made the finals.

The Under10s were runner up in the Trojans Tournament, runner up in the Hampshire Cup and Semi finalists at Overton, Havant and IOW.

The Under 11s were winners of the plate at the Isle of Wight tournament and got to the semi finals of the plate at the Hampshire and Havant tournaments.

The Under 12s were the Trojans Cup winners

A number of representative honours were achieved –

Steve Fitzgerald was selected for the Hampshire President’s XV against Basingstoke, played the whole game and was then in the County Squad for the first Championship match going on as replacement to gain his full cap.

Grant Burr was also selected for the Hampshire President’s XV squad and Richard Rowland for Hampshire Veterans in the Geoff Frith Memorial Match.

Ben Featherstone played for the County Under 21s.

Laura Bates, Samantha Cornborough, Helena Coyte, Sarah Hodges, Marie Hollingsworth, Ashley Rowland, Kelly Rush, Lisa Suffling, and Helena Ventham played for the Southern Division.

Daria Hinz, Sarah Hodges, Jo Langmead, Jackie Carter, Helena Ventham and Laura Bates played for Hampshire.

Tom Pointer, James Wheeler and William Slowan achieved representative honours at Hampshire Under 16s and George Watt at Under 15s

Honours ties (100 1^st XV games) were awarded to Chris Boyd, Tim Higham and Steve Fitzgerald.

Tom Pointer & Ben McCormack (2 of our current U16 players) have been accepted by London Wasps Academy (only 15 places awarded). They will be moving to London from September.

For more detailed information click on one of the boxes below (not yet complete)

E-Mail  web@trojansrugby.co.uk or phone the Club on 023 8061 2400 (Bar) 023 8061 3068 (Admin)      

This page last updated:  04 April, 2009