Thankfully after the rock hard pitches of last week a little rain had at least softened the surface. There was an air of expectation for the first league match of the season and a sense of nervous anticipation from 5 of last years colts playing in their first adult match.

The early exchanges were nip and tuck as a much improved Thatcham side (fielding 6 of last years first team players) looked to gain the upper hand playing down the slight slope. Cents were a little frantic in the early exchanges, but gently settled into their stride. The forwards were well organised and Dias set the tone for the afternoon with a couple of early turnovers.

Gough was very sharp at 9 providing good ball for his fellow backs. Leicester got the better of his opposite number on numerous occasions, he just needed someone on his shoulder to carry the ball on…..

Winger Wilkinson was first to trouble the scorers when he broke down the right wing to score a fine try out wide. Unconverted.

Thatcham raised their game and a prolonged period of pressure in the home side’s 22 resulted in an unexpected penalty try. Converted. 5 - 7.

Wilkinson scored his second of the afternoon when the forwards provided clean ball from a scrum which was pinged out wide to Rose who broke well before setting up Wilkinson. Unconverted. It was good to see a slick training ground backs move (honest) come to fruit as Casey burst through on an inside ball off his wing like a bursting through thing. Lovely try. Rose converted. In virtually the last play of the half Thatcham scored a well deserved, converted try to make it an interesting 17 - 14 at half time.

Much to veteran prop Raspin’s delight jelly babies were chomped at half time and wise words were shared.

An early second half penalty to Thatcham made it 17 all. Err….game on!

The home sides make shift front row and “engine room” did well against their bigger opponents, and the scrum generally functioned well. Rose kept the scoreboard ticking over with a fine try of his own. Unconverted. Wilko then got his third with a cracking solo effort, pinning back his ears from well inside his own half to out run cover defence and score in the corner. Unconverted. Given the opportunity for a late penalty Rose split the sticks to make it 30 - 17.

The final say of the match however went to Thatcham when their never say die attitude resulted in a try which was converted well.

Congratulations to Messrs Espley, Wiles, Catlin, Clark and Boyd all making their first senior appearances. Mucho thanks to Mr Raspin for “teaching the young pups a trick or two!"

Whilst this was not a classic game it was a good bonus point win to kick the season off. Many thanks to the large contingent of supporters and to the referee who did a fine job.

Quotes of the day;

• Rose to the referee during warm up; “Hello Sir, my names Matt Rose, Rosie, but I’m not the skipper”
• Rose to Physio SJ whilst she attended to an injured member of the opposition: “stop trying to pull him, SJ!”
• Rose to the referee at the end of the game; “I’ll see you in the shower Sir"