It is with regret that Lordswood have withdrawn their first team from the London SE3 league. This is due to a number of unfortunate factors which have effectively reduced the pool of players able to play first team rugby below a practical level. The committee would like to thank all those players who have turned out for the first team this year especially the second team players and veterans who have stepped forward in our time of need.

Lordswood has always been a place where first and foremost we enjoy our rugby and to continue to field an under-strength first team by moving up players who are not yet ready for rugby of this intensity was losing sight of this ideal.

We have applied to rejoin the Kent leagues next year and hopefully we will be able to play at this level with a full squad of players, while still continuing to field a second and third team in the Mid Kent merit leagues.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the teams we have played against in the London league for their understanding and the messages of support we have received, we hope to be back playing you again in the near future.

As part of the rebuilding process we are hoping to field an under 17 side next year and Steve Crammond is hard at work recruiting as we speak, sponsorship is already in place for the side and volunteers are being lined up for coaching courses, please contact any committee member for further details.

Lordswood II's had a disappointing season with only 4 wins and 1 draw out of 14 games due to a combination of bad management, lack of experience and bad luck.

Lordswood’s Vets team was newly formed last year although most of the players have been together as the third team for far longer than they care to admit. That year after looking around and realising that the average age was around 102 (now ex) captain Al Cannon decided on the identity change.

A successful season last year with 13 of 14 games being won and also winning the league! This was after they decided to dip their toe in the water of competitive rugby only last year. With all this success and heights of league champions it does not stop the more serious pursuit of enjoying themselves, which is what the Vets team is really all about.

The make up of the Vets varies from old (in fact very old) ex first team and second team players along with people of more mature years who are new to the game, perhaps introduced by bringing their children along to the mini section on a Sunday morning.

During the summer months they can be found training on a Wednesday evening on the pitches adjacent to Lordswood leisure centre. Training moves back to the main club around late August and usually peters out once it starts to get cold and wet and the bar looks far more inviting.

At the moment the pool of players is quite healthy for the Vets but new players of all abilities are always welcome as shift work and injuries can deplete the team as the season goes on. Also there is a possibility of starting another team if a few more players can be coaxed along.