This season has been my biggest achievement (From Bucks Free Press)

This season has been my biggest achievement

4:40pm Thursday 18th March 2010 in

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AMERSHAM & Chiltern RFC director of rugby Matt Allen says this season will be his biggest achievement in rugby – win the title or not.

His side overcame Beaconsfield 41-5 on Saturday to make it 18 wins in a row and consolidate their place on top of Southern Counties North.

Two points behind them and with a game in hand, Witney are their only challengers and the title is likely to be won on the final day when the two sides meet.

Allen believes his team can finish the job, but he insists that even a late slip up won’t take the gloss off an incredible year.

He said: “I thought we’d push for top half this season and it’s great how far we’ve come, especially as it’s my home club.

“The guys have developed and grown throughout the season and without a doubt it’s been my favourite time in rugby.”

Captain Dan Kinsey says Allen deserves a huge slice of the credit for introducing a winning mentality to the club, but Allen says it’s down to the players.

He said: “A lot of teams treat it as a hobby, but if you’re not mentally right you won’t get away with it in this game.

“It’s not like football where you can relax for the first ten minutes.

“Hunger and desire play such a huge part and the guys have turned up every week.

“I’ve tried to create an environment for them to achieve in, but the rest of it is up to them and you can see by our results that we take it seriously and take a really professional approach.

“We’ve had 18 wins in a row now. I’ve never done that as a player or a coach. It’s almost an entire season.”

Swindon tomorrow is the next test. They host Windsor the following weekend before the showdown with Witney on April 17.

Allen said: “Our conditioning is outstanding and it has paid dividends.

“When I came in it had slipped quite a long way. The coaching focus had been on skills but I’ve tried to combine the two and we’re the fittest team in the league now.

“I think that will be a big factor and if we play our game we can beat Witney.”

For Allen, it would be sweet justice: “Two years ago when I was a player we lost at Witney on the last day of the season to get relegated. It’s been quite a turnaround.

“But I think we’re guaranteed the play-offs now anyway and regardless of what happens, this season has been my biggest achievement.”