Full time on the 2025/6 season for the Blackheath Men’s Section, and it’s been a cracker!
For the first time in a decade, the section fielded two teams in league competition. The section put out the Brigands (3rd XV) in Kent Counties 5 and the Bandits (4th XV) in Kent Met A (4th/Bandits), while also having the veterans (Buccaneers) in competition.
The section played a total of 35 games this season – that’s a lot of rugby!
It was a risk putting two teams in regular league competition, social rugby is plagued with a diminished player base in recent years. However, outside a few matches where the bench looked a little light, Club more than managed to get two teams out. 65 men pulled on the famous shirt and represented the Club for the section through the season, from young lads getting their first adult games under the belt, to wily veterans plying their craft and sharing decades of experience with the young guns.
And the boys brought the results! The Brigands won Counties 5, with a perfect 20 win season. This extends the 3rd XV winning record, which stretches back to December 2023. Promotion to Counties 4 and new challenges await in the season ahead.
The Bandits came second in Kent Met A, taking 7 from 12 fixtures. The Bandits will remain in Kent Met A next season, as part of the commitment from the section to ensure that there will always be rugby available to players at any level of skill and experience.
The Buccaneers retained the Kent Vets Shield, winning 4 fixtures from 5, including a very hard-fought final match. The quality of the veterans group is shown by how regularly members of the group appear as high as the Club XV. We expect more good news in the future as new, quality players qualify at 35 years old.
The section also hosted the Gentlemen of Aspen on tour to start the season, saw a first-ever win against the London Fire Brigade team, a win in the annual U23 Anthony Fitzgerald game and a win on tour in San Sebastián).
And we scored so many points getting there! 1481 scored and just 666 against across all fixtures, including two 100 point matches for the Brigands.
Top scorer for the season was James Pierson, with a total of 194 points. This included 13 tries, which JP took largely from centre or fullback.
The top try scorer for the season was Alex Omeyer, who ran in his 30th try of the season on tour. The centre has become a cliche, with “Alex runs a hard line” demolishing many defensive lines, and winning him Player’s Back of the Year.
The section has loved the support and good will of so many friends, family and supporters through a massively successful season. We get to run around and have fun with mates because of the help, support and permission (both big and small) you all give us through the year.
So that’s 2025/6! A new season awaits, with a lot more rugby, a lot more fun, and a lot more good times to be had as part of The Club. If you or anyone you know fancies a run out, whether just at training or for a game, the men’s section has a place for everyone. Wednesday touch will carry us through the off season, before pre season begins in earnest in July. See you in 2026/7!
