A beneficial and welcoming break from the league with no fixtures being programmed for Saturday 10 November. This has allowed the players to recover from their bumps and bruises but also spend some time with family and friends.

Following a review of what is being delivered and how we deliver it, the coaching staff have started to implement aspects the players have asked to be included and will add more aspects over the forthcoming weeks. What we have introduced does not change our processes or structure which has been developed since the new coaching staff were introduced in July.

The focus for the Exiles and Alesford fixtures has been purely on Gosport and Fareham and how we will play and what we aim to achieve from the fixtures. Both teams need to remain calm and turn those chances we have worked hard to create are converted, rather than panicking and making rash decisions. Providing we keep our composure we will achieve the desired outcome this weekend, and get the victories we deserve for all the hard work the players have put in over the last few months.

Our last few fixtures have been a roller coaster of emotions, we have had some highs but also disappointment with the final score. What has been encouraging is watching the players reactions when the final whistle is blown, against Old Cranleighan’s the players were disappointed with their performance even with a bonus point win. As head coach this is very pleasing, as it shows the players are passionate and are determined to develop game by game. Against Old Alleynians, we played really well and made them look like an ordinary team not a team which is second in the league, however when it mattered we lost our composure and handed over possession to them. This unfortunately cost us the game.

A special mention should go to Jo Poulter-Ward, who is developing as a coach, but more importantly is providing video evidence of the games in all weathers (torrential downpours). This allows the players to be critical of their performances and the coaching staff to analyse the performance as a team. This is invaluable in our overall aim of player ownership.