The 2010-2011 season got of to a flyer, with warm up matches being won against tough opposition; North Walsham, Lowestoft & Yarmouth and Mersea Island, the battle for the league was keenly anticipated. A good start against weaker sides helped fuel the confidence, however, it was a resolute Crusaders team that inflicted a crushing and frustrating defeat at home. All was not lost and two weeks later a tremendous performance against champions elect Stowmarket who suffered defeat at the hands of the home side.

This proved to be the story of the season, whilst struggling for consistency in selection, a bad performance would follow a good one. This was the case losing away to Cantabs but then winning at home to West Norfolk, who were taken apart up-front in the scrum and lineout. A narrow loss to Holt away and then the bad weather kicked in! Disruption was the case for all and with Haverhill and Fakenham pulling out of the league meant there was three more games that wouldn’t be played.

Three wins at the start of the New Year saw hopes rise but the victories were narrow and bonus points were missed due again to injuries and unavailability's! Stowmarket nearly fell again, at their place, but for a last minute try with the frustration evident knowing that a full strength side with 3 players rather than 1 on the bench; the story could have been so different.

Cantabs got a stuffing on the common with what has been described as one of the best performances by a Southwold side for many years. A mid-week game against Brightlingsea didn’t help the cause with a visit to West Norfolk that Saturday, where again a full strength side would have come away with a result making for an even rowdier bus trip home! A terrible loss to Holt at home saw games against Ely mean little as the league had come and gone with a solid fifth place.

The club and players have benefitted from the coaching of Nick Greenhall, supported by Skip Webb and Kevin Stannard. It has been a pleasure to welcome Ally and Stuart Butler, Stuart Popplewell, Richard Horne, Matt Scott and Pete Chartier, they have played their hearts out when available.

Adam Smith has made a very successful switch to loose head prop and Sam Webb has given his all from second row, with Stuart Butler forming a lineout that has threatened. Day Harvey, Gavin Starks, Ben Copling and Ally Butler have all played their part in the back row, all notching up tries, turnovers and tackles. Ell MacDaniel continues to learn at 9 and when given free reign can make yards for his team. The backs have probably suffered the most at the hands of injuries, exams and round the world trips.

Chris Withey, Duncan Hume and Pete Chartier have shared the responsibilities at 10 with Kev Cayley, Pete Holmes, Ben Balls and Sam Watson slotting into most positions. Piers Currie played, got injured, played, got injured, retired, played another 6 games and will probably be at pre-season training. Certainly one of the outstanding players of the season was Ben Hadingham at full-back, from his debut at Holt, where the bean pole like youngster suffered a few turnovers, to his man of the match performances after Christmas, Ben has made the 15 shirt his own. Youngsters Tom Sutton and Darren Fisher have played mainly on the wings although both really would like back row positions, if they train then this could be more than viable.

Missing in action were Ben Balls (for a few months wrestling crocs in South Africa), George Wagg (travelling and doing goodness knows what with god only knows), Russell Hume (who with the clubs blessing and best wishes joined Sudbury only to get relegated) and Richie Thickett who’s pace and all around ability has been sorely missed. Mad Dog James Piggy Hall has been available when he has been home and if Bruce Le Mole Colman hadn’t stepped into the breach for the last half of the season we wouldn’t have been able to fulfil fixtures. JT proved to be a vital support playing for the firsts and skippering the second team, with many second team players playing their part in the winning of the Suffolk Plate for the ninth time.

The players,with the support of the club, need to agree on a level of commitment to training and playing, recruitment would mean competition for places and without doubt the potential of a top three finish whilst focussing on playing, drinking and having fun as a team like Spartan warriors!