Written by Club President Reece Morgan
This year’s season has very much been one of two halves: strong frontloading of matches (and silverware!) to start, but a slight damp squib to close. That said, the level of gameplay, two tours, and a whole host of great socials meant that it’s been another year to remember. To that end, it’s worth reflecting on our achievements and where we’ll go next.
Shuto League
After missing out on Shuto gold last season, becoming king of the mountain again was our aim — and one that we achieved in serious style. Not only did we storm the division and win every single game, but three of those fixtures were clean sheets. Most impressive of all has to be the drubbing inflicted upon Kichijoji Wild Turkey: no doubt remembering their victory over us last year, they put the fabled Turkey Cup on the line…and lost it in a 73-0 blowout. With great matches and plenty of fantastic gameplay on show, our successful Shuto portion of the season set a high mark for what was to follow.
Mac Cup
The presence of Gareth’s family imbued this year’s Mac Cup fixture with real poignancy, and we were proud to reflect that in a number of ways. Bringing Old Boys into the starting squad, for instance, meant that those who played with Gareth stood alongside those who hadn’t even been born at the time of his passing, creating a meaningful bridge between past, present, and future. Sharing a bench between the two sides also meant that many Crusaders donned the dark blue YCAC jerseys for the first time, creating a spirit of camaraderie that would no doubt have put a smile on Gareth’s face. While we were blessed to bring the trophy home once again, the real treasure was the spirit of rugby that both sides
could enjoy.
We look forward to welcoming the family back whenever they’d like to make another trip, as
there’ll always be a place for them within the Crusaders.
Katsushika League
Our first foray into the Katsushika League was a mixed bag. Receiving notice of our inclusion just a week before the first game led to a mad scramble to figure things out, not least because of the exodus of team members to snowier climes. While the opening fixtures did not go our way, there was plenty to take away: younger, less experienced players stepped up and started to build their skills, leading to a fairly under-strength squad turning over the mighty Superman in a fantastic fixture. The game against the Black Bunnies was an absolute nail-biter, with some of the best play that we strung together all season, and a fitting way to round things off.
Tokyo Cup(?)
Disappointingly, the Tokyo Cup run for which we were so excited never came to pass. The new rules regarding foreign player registration amounted to a breach of civil liberties, leading to our difficult decision to turn down our spot. We hope that the committee will review their regulations in the coming season.
That said, the new Harbour Cup — a joint venture with the YCAC — is set to kick off this coming season…watch this space!
Tour!
Pushing hard on our touring schedule, we were lucky to secure an international appearance: the Bali Memorial Tour to Hong Kong. Of course, what happens on tour must stay there, but suffice it to say that everyone had a cracker. While our tour to Hokkaido is still two months away, I have no doubt that we’ll have a blast, and give the Barbarians something to write home about!
Moving Forward
As we move into the 2024/5 season, it’s important to consider what approaches to take to maximise not just the success of the team, but the enjoyment of all its members:
● As ever, take Shuto seriously as our ‘big’ league
● Be realistic in our expectations for Katsushika, given how big a bite skiing takes out
of the roster
● Smash the first ever Harbour Cup and look to take home the gold
● Focus on our four core socials, and really push the ‘third half’
● Make the inaugural Cru 10s Invitational a roaring success
With a new league, a China tour, a brand new 10s tournament, and more on the horizon, it’s set to be a landmark season for the boys in sky blue. Let the crusade continue!