HOW’S your week been? It’s been another hectic one for me.

Despite covering Arsenal’s clash with Liverpool at a raucous Ashburton Grove on Wednesday evening, not to mention Stevenage’s late night sacking of their latest manager, my highlight came earlier the same day.

Why? I was at Twickenham on Wednesday to report on the national schools cup finals. 

Full disclosure. My son attends one of the schools and many of his friends were involved in the game. As a local journalist for my day job, it would have been rude not to head over to the home of rugby. I was glad I did. 

In an age of fear and uncertainty in the wider world, sport provided a wonderful, life-affirming afternoon. 

I absolutely love covering grassroots and academy sport, because it is sport for sport’s sake. It’s sport without money corrupting those playing, without cash distorting teams that take part, without greed corroding values.

It was a filthy day at a rain-lashed Twickenham, but despite that there were thousands of pupils, teachers and proud parents in attendance at rugby HQ. All heartily enjoying the games. And of course, so too did the splendid players.

Teenagers with their whole lives in front of them battling for the honour and glory of winning a humble but hard-fought-for trophy. 

I have no doubt that the memories many of them made this week will be regaled in sepia tinted tones, when they hand down tales of the day they played at Twickenham, to the grandchildren at their knee many decades from now.  And the thought of that made me smile. 

As someone who has covered an awful lot of top level sport including England’s Six Nations games at Twickenham, I have to say a massive well done to all the teams for showing such outstanding strength of character, spirit, commitment and teamwork in such difficult conditions, while being fearless on the biggest stage in the game. 

I also have to say well done to each and every member of all the squads for remaining so humble in victory, and dignified in defeat. 

A feature of all the winners — with no exceptions — was that they not only showed respect to the opposition, but by displaying such heartening modesty in the aftermath of hard-earned triumphs in front of passionate, vociferous and well-behaved support, they amplified their triumphs through such worthy behaviour. 

And of course, with my Hitchin hat on, I have to congratulate Hitchin Boys’ School on winning the U15s final, beating Torquay Grammar School 11-0 in a keenly contested final in the pouring rain. 

Kudos also to No8 Reece Cairns, and of course, coach Chris Bajak for their eloquence and humility, in a lovely mix of self-deprecation and deep joy, when I interviewed them in Twickenham’s mixed zone moments after the match, in an area normally reserved for World Cup winners and Six Nations champions. 

The team and coaching staff are a true credit to the school and town — so I have to say congratulations to everyone associated with the team. 

In fact, a big well done to all the teams on the day. No wonder it was the highlight of my week.