SO that was the season that was. Thankfully, we have made it to the end of what has been a long and frustrating season relatively intact, and can now put the events of a difficult 2001-02 campaign behind us and start to build towards next season.

Amongst all the lows, it is easy to forget that the season has experienced a number of highs.

Our Heineken Cup campaign was particularly pleasing, as against all the odds after a dismal start to the Zurich Premiership, we took on French league leaders Biarritz and defeated them in their own back yard. It was a fantastic day. We played well and the support was absolutely terrific. Then to go through the whole pool stages unbeaten was a fantastic achievement when you consider the calibre of the opposition.

It has also been good to see some of the youngsters come through into the first team this season. Andy Williams played out of his skin before his knee injury, Olly Barkley, who has been under immense pressure in his debut season, has been composed at both fly half and centre and James Scaysbrook, Alex Crockett, Spencer Davey and Gareth Delve have all ensured that the future of the club is in safe hands.

As for the lows there have been a few. Personally, it has been really difficult to have to watch the last few months of the season from the sidelines. The injury occurred during training for England A in February, and it has been frustrating that there was no 'quick fix'.

As for on the field, it is always difficult to come to terms with being left out of international squads, but I feel that alongside our underachievement in the Premiership, must rank our performance in that Heineken Cup quarter-final against Llanelli.

Having progressed through the competition unbeaten, playing some excellent rugby along the way, we let ourselves and the fans down badly against the Scarlets. We came off that field knowing that we were much better than the result suggested. It was a disappointing end to our European campaign.

I believe that the Wasps encounter proved a fitting finale to the season, though there was a strange atmosphere in the changing room after the match. Following the thumping at Kingsholm, it was probably expected that we would be on the end of another heavy defeat, but as the match went on you could see the lift in confidence and we actually did some excellent things on the pitch. In the end, everyone was thoroughly disappointed that we did not actually win the match.

But the main thing was that the team showed what an excellent spirit, determination and camaraderie exists within the camp.

To come back in the way we did after the Gloucester match was fantastic. Even at 17-6 down, heads did not drop and the team fought valiantly.

So what does the summer hold?

We have five weeks off before we meet again to start summer training, but for me there will be a lot of hard work to be done to ensure that I am 100 per cent ready for the new season. I need to work on strengthening my back and then undergo a CT scan to get the all clear to resume full weights training.

There will undoubtedly be a few new faces at the club next season and I'm sure that Michael Foley will bring in the best possible personnel to complement the squad that we have already.

Have a great summer, enjoy all the rugby over the summer including England's tour to Argentina, Wales' tour to South Africa, the Super Twelve finale and the Tri-Nations. It will be September again before you know it.

Take care.

Matt Perry