Today is a day that is normally a huge celebration but is unfortunately tinged with great sadness. As we gather for the Old Players Lunch and to watch the recently crowned League Champions, we also gather to hold a minute’s silence for two former members of the club who, although greatly separated in age, have both died unexpectedly and far too soon.

Luis Piovesana was a young man of just 26. He had played for the Club for many years as a mini and junior and through to the Colts. Luis was part of the team that conquered all comers to win the North Midlands Cup and also the League at U17s, playing anywhere in the “back 3” or even at scrum half. As one of his old coaches told me, he was “a quiet, unassuming lad, extremely respectful with a great sense of humour.” Luis tragically left this world in Bristol in early March. We are honoured that members of his family will join us today as we hold a minute’s silence before the game in his honour. Our hearts go out to them and all his old teammates and many friends who are mourning his passing.

Tim Gallagher was not a young man at 74, however, his passing was still an immense shock to all his family and many friends and old playing comrades at SCRFC. Tim was a giver to the club. Following a playing career, he became Club Secretary when Roger Smoldon was Chairman and went on to be Chairman himself. Tim was a lovely, bubbly guy, a great club man and great tourist, and by all accounts a phenomenal anchor man on a boat race! Tim sadly passed unexpectedly from a heart attack a few weeks ago. We will raise a toast to Tim during the lunch and hold a minute’s reflection, and I am sure many of us will share stories about his life and times at SCRFC. (Funeral information is available on Facebook or ask Pud Moore.)

Reflecting on the above reminds me of what makes days like this special. Yes, we celebrate rugby and league titles—but more than that, we celebrate the people. The friendships, the memories, the moments that stay with you long after the final whistle. That’s what the Old Players Lunch is about—reconnecting with old mates, sharing stories, and enjoying the spirit of this club. It’s about community, connection, and the people of SCRFC.

I genuinely can’t sign off this note without reference to the Burntwood game and the season in general. What a day at Burntwood—two coaches packed to the gunnels with players, coaches, supporters, and booze! The game was fantastic, a fitting challenge to win the league, and I thought the players were magnificent. The bus arriving back to the RSG victorious to a rapturous welcome will live long in my memory. The boys and the coaching team should rightfully be very proud of themselves. We mustn’t rest on our laurels though—we have some challenges to come, and now the goal is to remain unbeaten all year. We have the opportunity to win the League with an unblemished record and claim the Papa Johns Cup and Warwickshire Shield if we keep going—what a year.

To finish on a very bright note, I want to wish Alfie Brookes all the best for his First XV Team debut today. Alfie is 18 and is another great product of the M&J section, coached by such legends as Ben Crook and Dave Smith, amongst others. I have had the pleasure of watching Alfie play this year in the Colts and he has excelled. He is a prop and starts today on the bench, but I am assured he will get game time. Alfie has also enjoyed a spell in the Worcester Academy of old and is a real prospect to keep an eye on, along with a number of his contemporaries to be seen on a pitch “coming soon.”