...an insurmountable league points deduction for player irregularities during the previous season. Major organisational changes followed and the club emerged from a bruising summer to face the daunting task of league survival and rebuilding player confidence, which would put real pressure on results right from the start.

Against this challenging background, the achievement of winning 10 games and wiping out the points deficit to finish strongly in mid-table takes on an even greater significance. As a result, the rugby club has taken a big stride forward both on and off the pitch.

The competitive London 3 South East league comprises mostly of hardened Kent and Sussex town sides who bring age, experience and a certain ‘edge’ up front. What it lacked in subtlety, the opposition would make up for with a physicality, which would clearly test a young and largely untried OD combination. Though lively and adventurous in attack, the team, early on, looked defensively fragile and lacking in sufficient forward technique to win the ball and, more importantly, keep hold of it.

Such weaknesses were laid bare in the first fixture against Folkestone, which saw the opposition dominate possession while the OD’s relied on individual skill and opportunist tries to earn a bonus point. This set a frustrating pattern of play for the first few weeks. Despite tasting intermittent victory early season against Park House, Aylesford Bulls and Gillingham, league points were much harder to come by in December and January so that the relegation threat loomed large. However, a side, that had always played with character and positivity, dramatically changed the losing habit in the Spring sunshine to register five wins out of their next six games and completely transform the season. With firmer pitches and conditions that suited a handling game, the team hit a rich vein of form just at the right time.

The turn round can be credited to the team’s defensive discipline that became increasingly effective as the season progressed and a resurgent forward effort that finally gave a talented backline the time and space to create some irresistible running lines. OD’s have scored an impressive 631 points with 24 tries coming from wingers Jamal Gobir (most improved player) and Malachi Connolly (leading try scorer), surely the league’s most potent strike force. There was no better yardstick of improvement than the rout of Ashford on home turf, where the opposition line was crossed ten times to secure maximum points and effectively guarantee London 3 rugby at Langley Park next season. Equally indicative were the close return matches against top of the table contenders Thanet Wanderers, Lewes and, eventual winners, Pulborough which showed just what a threat OD’s can pose in the next league campaign.

Consistently prominent and occasionally outstanding performances from captain Peter Jefferys, fly-half Mike Ubee (leading points scorer), flanker James Oddy and scrum half Tom Coombs (best newcomer) were only surpassed by player of the season, veteran full back Linval Antonio, whose flair and mesmerising footwork always gave OD’s an added attacking dimension and a ‘get out of jail’ card in defence. If rumours of his retirement are true, he will be sorely missed. Young guns Nick Keppe, James Mann, Rhys Bozier and Jack Sanchez had to adapt their power games to new positions in the front five, but are undoubtedly the future of a strong, mobile and less compromising OD pack. Team stalwart Jamie Pecorella was ever present while centres Lee McCarthy and Rory Palmer both made valuable contributions. Mention should also be made of Phil Grayson and Tom McNamarra who, if they didn’t always start the game, made a significant impact every time from the replacement bench.

The work and expertise of the club’s new Seniors Head Coach, Phil Ubee, is the acknowledged force behind this season’s transformation, instilling not only a ‘can win’ mentality but also a collective ambition to be better. Thanks as well to back room boys Andy Moody (physio), Steve Baker and Adrian Hosking who have been ever-present cogs in the renaissance wheel. This season has laid a solid foundation for the rugby club and justified the expectation of even better things to come. The priority now is to build the player and support base to ensure a long term future for rugby at what is, without doubt, one of the best playing venues in south east London.

Training for 2017/18 season starts at the Langley Park Ground on Thursday 29th June. New players welcome