Green Smoke

By Nic

They did it! Ealing Fields High School has become champions. That’s the story. The End.

I could literally finish this piece there, as this is the third time we’ve seen this now, but that would be a huge disservice to the now-third-time reigning champions and the amazing girls that have fought hard to get the gold, and although it was just a short trip for them from their base in W5 to Chiswick Rugby Club in W4 (zip codes if you’re wondering), it didn’t start there, of course, so let’s rewind a ways back to March 6th, when the season was launched on a beautifully sunny day at the AELTC Community Tennis Centre in southwest London.

The girls who were new to the sport were introduced solely to the Jets, as there was no joint promotion with the Bears this time (which I think we all agree is better, eh?). And of course the J-E-T-S chant led by Quincy Williams, who was in attendance with Isiah Davis. All the attendants were put through their paces via combine drills, and one coach even commented, “I’ve never seen anything like these scores from a school” when watching ‘Fields’ in action. Approximately 300 participants from 28 schools joined the NYJ family for fun and games and to learn about the sport we all love.

Fast forward to May, and it’s the league final in Chiswick, and after a series of rounds throughout the preceding months, it was time for the young ladies to get their game faces on and go for the big win. After some tense games with some big scores, it was time for the team huddles before the players stepped out onto the field, and no, they didn’t disappoint. Just like in past years, Ealing Fields, who have clearly been working on new schemes and plays, took a comfortable lead against Turing House until that final moment when the rest of the girls on the sidelines stormed the pitch to join the celebrations.

Never mind the back-to-back seasons; Fields are three-peat winners, and deservedly so. Well done to all involved at the school for keeping them playing to the gold standard, and thank you so much to the New York Jets for once again allowing us to enjoy this in the nation’s capital city.