What’s that Mike Tyson quote? Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face. So it proved to be as perhaps a lack of pre-season games meant that pre-game optimism soon met the reality of a well-drilled Haslemere XV.

Since we were first drawn in the same league in the 2021/2 season, Quins and Mere have only met a few times but we still knew what to expect: big runners, a decent boot and a great team spirit. Having spent a training session working hard on our defence with Brian Holland, Quins felt ready to blunt Mere’s attack.

As this was the first game since The Reeves became our official temporary home, we were also keen to lay down a marker and start to build a fortress.

What we possibly forgot was that the other team also has a plan.

Perhaps it was the new combinations. Maybe the three key injuries in the first quarter. It could just have been the lack of game time with many pulling on a shirt for the first time since May.

For whatever reason, Quins just weren’t at the races and Mere (to their credit) took full advantage. From the off, Mere were the dominant team and the scoreline is a fair reflection of the game.

As ever, it wasn’t all bad news and there were definite silver linings to the black clouds. The hope was always that junior players would eventually make their way into the First XV and Cal and James were among the first (of hopefully many) Colts ever to come. As both now disappear to uni for a few weeks, we look forward to having them back soon.

Plus, there was our try. We may have only scored one but what a try! Terence showing the strength that we all knew he had. A rampaging run which took him through three defenders on his way to the whitewash.

When all said and done, after a game like this there is only one real course of action. Dust ourselves down and draw a line underneath it. On Saturday, we welcome old friends Paulines to The Reeves after their equally painful opening weekend.

It’s a great chance to start again.