Last night's fixture was over mercifully quickly, given it was grey and cold and soaking. Not ideal conditions for a summer game. So = that's it for the season! We've done well - won a few, drawn one, and lost a few. We won one game 45-20 and were only battered once this year. We scored well and our fielding was tighter.
Here's what I learned this season:
1. Ability without spirit is nigh on useless. Spirit and drive is more important than pure skill.
2. Despite encouragement, some players will never bother to put much effort in. Others, though, will surprise and delight you by travelling great distances, putting in 100%, putting their bodies on the line for very little reward, and badgering the captains about playing positions, scores, tactics - these are the questions a captain loves to be asked.
3. Working with someone as organised and enthusiastic as Semhar (although she'd never admit to it) has been an eye-opener. She's been a thoughtful captain and has spent more time than the team will know in thinking about the game and trying to organise the team - often with very late cancellations and changes to the line-up. She didn't try to please everyone and the team was better for it.
4. The captain has to forego concentrating on their own game because there are so many other things to do - making decisions, meeting the other captains, sorting out disputes, keeping in touch with all the players by phone and organising them, remembering the rules, making sure everyone's getting something out of the game.
5. The league is getting stronger and more competitive. The structural changes this year have eliminated many of the dead games, so most teams have had something to play for all year.
6. The organisers put in a ridiculous amount of effort - Nathan, Paul and Leo in particular.
7. Some people will tease you and say they'll play but never actually get round to it. Rascals, the lot of you.
7. RGS are a lovely team - Ellie, Hettie, John, Spike and the rest - we salute you.
Here's what I could have done better:
1. Made promises to Rach and stuck to them. There probably weren't many dads playing/staying behind for drinks afterwards, dads that really should be at home a bit more.
2. More tactical awareness of how to change things when they weren't going our way. My record as captain was really good, but we were up against it during one game and I wasn't sure what to do. 'Something' might be a good answer.
3. Taken on more responsibility - by the end of the season this was fine but I could have been more vocal at the start.
4. Batted better (perennial issue).
So, that's it for me after four seasons. It's been a fantastic 2011 and here are some names that will be remembered always for their dedication, enthusiasm, humour and guts: Fiona Magor, Helen Forrest, Andy Glyde, Martin Whitcombe, Mary Caparas, David Whitcombe, Lindsay Hodgson, Alaric Shorter, Simon Bull, Denise Goldman, Susannah Sconce, Nav Kuner...our fantastic captain and pitcher Semhar Beyene...and finally 'cameo of the season' - Simon Hawkins.
