The first Saturday of an historic season saw the Met Police Rugby Club host a preseason round robin tournament at their long-established home at Imber Court. The Civil Service Barbarians and Northolt RFC were welcomed to an immaculate pitch and glorious, albeit humid, conditions perfect for a festival of open, running rugby - unlike anything south west London has seen for a while! Added poignancy was provided by the tragic loss of one of Civil Service Barbarians young players, Rob Hart who had taken his own life in May, aged 21. To this end, the day's rugby focussed on the Civil Service Baabaas' campaign to raise awareness of suicide awareness and its prevention.

This was the only opportunity for the Met to have a pre-season run-out before the rigours of the new league season commence. As has been the case for most seasons since 1966, and certainly since the opening weekend of the rugby season crept behind the start of September, the Notting Hill Carnival took its toll on pre-season for the Police. The sunny, hot and humid weather was ideal conditions to test fitness and move a ball on a firm, grass-covered surface. The Met took full advantage of the opportunity.

The first fixture was against Civil Service colleagues and MPRFC started brightly. An early try, scored by Club Captain Cormac Healy, enabled the hosts to settle into a pattern of fast breakdowns, offloads in the tackle and spreading the ball wide to the wings.
There was a promising debut by Freddy Dalley, variously covering both half-back roles interchanging with PSUK stalwart and Met new signing Sam Druce. Both added clear quality to the execution in the backs. Wingers Rory Payn and George Starkie took full advantage of the expansive play, both quick and lethal in their finishing. The forwards were quick to pick up on the theme, with prop Chris Padman making a notable dummy and break to score from almost 40 metres out and Angus Munns, returned from semi-retirement to add his destructive running game to what soon became an exhibition of running rugby. The new tackle laws have worried grass root coaches and players nationwide, but once the whistle blew and sensible refereeing was unleashed, the fear quickly dissipated. Sam Collington made a particularly notable and legal hit near the breakdown resulting in a turnover, epitomising the "art of the possible" in the new era. Civil Service rounded-off the match with a try of their own but it was a comprehensive victory for the Police with attack complimented by a solid defensive line.

The Met's second game against Northolt saw an unchanged Police XV take the pitch. This was not so much a reflection on brutal management technique so much as there were no subs available, even in the torrid temperatures. In the event it mattered not one iota. Continuing with their "heads up" style, MPRFC ran out 48-7 winners. Dylan Richards lead the pack admirably, encouraging his colleagues to keep the tempo and effort at maximum. Lee Dorman and Alf Gale both impressed, having stepped up to this level and showing the full benefit of the drills and plays worked on in pre-season.

Met Rugby can now look forward to the first league game of the season at home to Old Emmanuel on Saturday 16th September. The Centenary season of the Metropolitan Police Rugby Football Club, formed in 1923, promises some special fixtures and events over the next ten months. Paris Police will revitalise a traditional challenge between the two metropolitan Police teams when they visit Imber Court in November, the Centenary Dinner takes place on 1st June 2024 quickly followed by a tour to Georgia for those who can still make it to the airport! There will be other events along the way and if you would like to be a part of this historic Club, whether or not you are a police officer, please make contact or come down to Imber Court and introduce yourself.