Sat 26 Sep 2026, 15:00
On a warm and sunny afternoon the 2026/2027 season kicked off with Christchurch welcoming a new combined team, Saint Romsey, to Grange Road for the opening game of the season.
After what seemed like an age since the team last pulled on the shirt in anger, with pre-season impacted due to weather and pitch conditions, it felt good to be back.
Christchurch got off to a shaky start; from the kick off the ball was allowed to bounce which allowed Saint Romsey to re-gather and push towards the Christchurch 22 where an infringement led to them being awarded a penalty in front of the posts. Saint Romsey chose to kick and duely converted to take a 0 - 3 lead.
Christchurch dusted themselves off and around the 10 minute mark broke through the Saint Romsey defense to see debutant John Edwards cross the line for the first try of the game which was successfully converted by Matty Mycroft to give Christchurch a 7 - 3 lead. The next score came from Christchurch through a try from Matty Mycroft to extend the lead to 12 - 3. Christchurch continued with the pressure which resulted in the third try, scored by our captain Chris Freeman and converted by Matty Mycroft taking the score to 19 - 3. As the half was drawing to a close a number of penalties conceded by Saint Romsey near their try line led to the referee awarding a penalty try for Christchurch to take the score to 26 - 3 at the break.
Saint Romsey scored the first points of the second half with a converted try from a charge down on Christchurchs' try line to take the score to 26 - 10. Christchurch hit back scoring three more tries from James Barwood, Sam Todd and a second for Matty Mycroft before, in the dying seconds, Saint Romsey scored a final try after a positive kick chase, which was successfully converted to leave the final score at 41 - 17 to the hosts.
The Christchurch squad for this game contained five debutants and four players returning to Christchurch after injury / sabbaticals from the game which is very positive and enforces the clubs continued progression.
A massive thank you to all those who came along to support, a superb attendance for the first game of the new season and long may it continue.
Christchurch scorers on the day were:
- Matty Mycroft - 2 tries and 2 conversions
- John Edwards - 1 try
- Chris Freeman - 1 try
- James Barwood - 1 try
- Sam Todd - 1 try
Player of the Match:
John Edwards, a great debut and a solid performance at 8.
D*** of the Day:
Troy Hickling, if you know you know.
For round 2 we travel to Trojans II on 3rd October 2026, kick off at 15:00.
League table: Christchurch RFC - Christchurch
.JPG?v=639176296027080961){kind=link}
.JPG?v=639176296028936935){kind=link}
.JPG?v=639176296030808949){kind=link}
.JPG?v=639176296034621060){kind=link}
.JPG?v=639176296036669071){kind=link}