Vigo ended the season with a traditional match against a President’s XV, this year drawn from the University of Portsmouth, Alma Mater to Stuart Spiers and Matt Thorogood. On a warm,sunny day and the cares of League rugby over, Vigo were able to throw the ball around with gay abandon and entertain a good crowd.

Although tries came regularly for the Villagers, the Presidents XV showed tenacity in scoring two fine tries themselves in the second half, and making Vigo work hard to achieve the win. The opening quarter was decidedly cagey as both sides felt each other out.(I’m not sure if that had anything to do with the gay abandon but there you are). With Matt Thorogood leading the Presidents XV, Vigo knew that they would be facing a team with skill and determination so were content with jockeying for position before Luke Spiers opened the scoring for the home sideafter 12 minutes. The University had transgressed at several breakdowns before yet another penalty gave Dan Norton the opportunity of a quick tap. The ball sped quickly through the threes and Spiers cruised over, Norton converting. The Presidents XV continued to sin at the breakdown, the flank forward seemingly ignorant of the Laws through, it must be admitted, decided ring rustiness and the subsequent penalties gave Vigo momentum in the first half. Another penalty saw Vigo kick for touch, win the lineout and Stuart Spiers making a half break to thoroughly discombobulate the President’s defence. Swift recycling of the ball, a key to Vigo’s recent surge in form, saw Andy Wilford crash through, Norton again converting. Vigo continued to frolic in the sun and only some dodgy handling and good defence prevented them from adding to the score. The President’s Xv had some decidedly useful players in their team and number 8, Paul Jones, was proving to be the fulcrum of their effort, with centre Luke Peters adding muscularity in midfield. However, Vigo’s superior teamwork was always likely to prevail against a scratch team. The last play of the half saw Dan Couchman finish off a rumbling push over try for the excellent Vigo pack, who have enjoyed a fine season. Norton nonchalantly converted with a fine kick from wide out.