RETIRING Rams Social Rugby manager Marcus Noye admitted he had a tear in his eye after stepping down following the Centaurs (third XV) 47-24 victory against Abingdon on Saturday.
The Counties Two Tribute Berks, Bucks and Oxon South champions rounded off their season in style with a seven-try home success, a week after the Dragon’s Teeth (4th XV) had claimed Three South glory as long-term legend Noye stepped down from his role in style.
The ex-Army man, who joined the club 18 years ago has spent a decade running the fourths, then the past three years adding the thirds and fifths to his resume reflected on a stunning season.
He said: “Managing three teams has taken its toll, as you can tell by my hair.
“But two teams being promoted, I couldn’t be more pleased, and I did have a tear in my eye, I’m just so proud of the boys.
“It’s incredible the Cents only losing once – pre-season we talked about trying to win the league but then we kept that out of our minds, and it’s never been talked about since.
“The young lads coming in, Jedd Paine, Mikey Duda and the rest, they’ve made such an impact and it’s in turn elevated the Dragon’s Teeth.
“Bleddyn Parry in the back row for the DTs has been amazing and he could play 3rds rugby and maybe first-team rugby in some other sides, it’s just amazing and I’m chuffed to bits.”
Noye, who has recently taken up a new role he loves at Bulmershe School, said he will always be around to try and help the club in other ways.
He continued: “We’ve played some really entertaining stuff and we get a bit more of a crowd up to watch – Rams are building as a club and a product, we’ve pushed the idea of the Centaurs becoming a Development Squad and you can see it in the way we’ve played.
“There are 18 and 19-year-old lads playing a level of rugby which is outstanding, and when I’m not playing the average age will be in the lower 20s!
“They’ve got so much more to come; they’re striving for the chance to progress and it’s great.
“But the likes of Alex Griffiths, Jack Gaylor, Matt Rose, the (older ones) have also been massive and provide real calming heads, they keep the boys on the straight and narrow.
“We’re now at a point where the first team were when I joined the club some 18 years ago and hopefully we can only keep pushing forward.”
Having lost 36-22 at Slough in Week Three, the Centaurs went on an incredible 17-match winning run which saw them not drop a point, while the DTs also only lost three games all season.
Noye concluded by paying tribute to his coaching staff and admitted: “Slough were amazing when we went down there and I took my hat off to them, but we learnt a lesson – it wasn’t a good thing to lose but from there the training went up a level and we bounced back.
“To not lose a game from there is not a bad record to have.
“(New Head Coach) Joe (Whatmore) and Paul (Smith) have been absolutely amazing – they’ve taken things to another level.”
Rams return to National One action as they welcome Taunton Titans to Old Bath Road on Saturday (3pm).
Supporters are asked to book tickets through the club’s website – www.ramsrugby.com – in order to ensure smooth and speedy access to the ground for the penultimate home game of the season.
By Richard Ashton
