|
Modern day Battle of Thermopylae drawn 30 all Like the prophesy his lookie-likey, Leonidas (the Spartan king, not the chocolate shop!) received from the Oracle at Delphi, your Skipper had received similar prognostications of death and destruction at the hand of the mighty Army Vets. However, whereas Leonidas that son of Heracles, expecting certain defeat had assembled his 300 Spartans from the ranks of those with male heirs, Skips didn't have that luxury. Addy has girl children, and Paddy is not yet married (weekend before the Amsterdam tour he will be though). However, picking up the thread of (relative) success against insurmountable odds, Skips did have at his disposal a proud, valiant, noble band of middle-aged men. Preparations were made in the usual way. When Skips spoke to their manager (Xerxes) at about 3pm on Friday (we were scheduled to kick off at 7.30pm at Aldershot/Thermopylae) he was informed the Army Vets were "out training". Bridling at this insult to vets rugby norms, and having informed Xerxes that his men were probably still at lunch and debating whether it was a two-bottler or three, Skips made some last minute tinkerings to his pre-battle oration, and girded his loins. You could tell we were up for it as most of us were at the palatial Army Stadium by 7pm. There were a few notable exceptions, being Pennock and Gadsy, but by and large (with the emphasis on the large) we were ready to roll by about 7.15, which is an ungodly early time to be starting warm up. Darragh even finished his conference call by then so even he was focussed. As we approached the floodlit pitch (which was in absolutely great nick considering the amount of rain that had fallen recently) the size of our task became even clearer. The Army had about 25 in their squad and were doing things with tackle pads and cones that I can’t even remember. Skips wisely lost the toss and we kicked off. The early skirmishes were evenly matched. Well, they were really strong, and we cheated really well. However, they did give us confidence about two things. Firstly, they clearly don't play together much, and so the structures they tried to bring to their game looked clunky. Secondly, we would need to keep it scrappy, broken, and take our chances, avoiding getting bogged down in a test of upper body strength. With Fenty a late pullout (q.v) we knew we were no match for the raw manly strength of these defenders of our realm. Notwithstanding this strategic recognition, we did conspire to give their Fijian back three the ball twice in the first twenty minutes, from which they scored two tries, one of which was converted. Paddy had opened the scoring with a straightforward penalty, but we were soon 13 -3 down and I don't mind telling you I thought we were in for a tough night. However, we kept plugging away, and took advantage of their indiscipline to knock over a couple more three pointers. 13 – 9. Then from another indiscretion from their very good and strong 6 (could have been 8, but they both looked the same) we got another penalty. Eschewing the standard plot of asking Baggy or Fozzy to run into the oppo, Skips displayed the sort of brilliant strategic decision-making that has been the hallmark of this season, and called an Extra Vyv. Vyv took a perfectly timed pop from AJ to burst through the gap and score under the posts. Conversion good, 16 -13 to the Heavies, and just reward for all the tenacity, territory and tackling (that's alliteration that is!). Talking of tackling, special mention must go to Heavies man of the match (which I've just decided) Simon Pennock. Having not played for us for two years, or so he claims, Simon smashed everything that came near him. They say tackles win matches (or is that catches, I forget..) and it really gave us a massive boost when Pennock drove their big centre back about 5 yards in one tackle. This appeared to thankfully be the limit of their back play, namely to either kick it to Ricky Fandango on the right wing, or run straight at Pennock and Satts. Incidentally, I promise never to make unfavourable comments about Satts' tackle count again. Our midfield defence was rock solid all day. Just before half time their 6 (or 8, see above) was binned, giving us a well- timed numerical advantage. Vyv had been prevented from playing his usual game (i.e. cheating at the breakdown) by a fully- fledged and miked-up team of officials, so any help we could get in the loose was welcome. Half time came AFTER 40 MINUTES!!!!!!! with the score still at 16-13 to the Heavies. The second half saw the Army make about 8 changes to their team, but this did nothing for their cohesion, and we took advantage particularly around the fringes. Gadsy had finally turned up by this point, so we were able to use his lineout presence a bit more in the second half (taking nothing away from Lloydy who had a great first half, particularly in the tight). However, from one of their rare visits to our 22 they won a penalty which they kicked to level the scores. We then picked up a great try from a driven lineout, exposing the Army's lack of coordinated defence around the fringes. Darragh got the touch down, but the whole pack earned it. Conversion good, 23 -16 to the Heavs. Suddenly we started to find some spaces as well, particularly off scrums and fast rucks. Skips provided a perfectly weighted and timed pass to Ricky who spooned it, and there were a couple of other occasions when we went close. But we were not having it all our own way, and the Army were more often building a few phases, making territory. There was a spell of about 10 minutes (or so it seemed) where they were camped in our 22, bashing away up close, and out wide, but to no avail. The inevitable rash of penalties started to come, and from one of these Vyv was binned. However, we held out really well, and even though we conceded a try from that period, I felt we probably got away with it a bit. Scores level, 23 a piece. The Army picked up another try from long range finally using their serious gas to good effect. We were down with about 12 to go. However, we kept on banging away. Paddy had to leave the field with a fractured eyelash, to be replaced at 10 by Ricky. Hugo came onto the right wing. Darragh had had to be replaced by Bosh (who had started the game and come off for Jim at half time), suffering from a blow to the head. Can't think how that happened! Grundy came on for Baggy, putting further pressure on their out-scrummaged front row. Eventually, with about 8 minutes left on the clock, we put Gaddsy over from another driven lineout. Ricky knocked the kick over, and there we were, 30 all. The last few minutes saw the Army frantically piling the pressure on, but to no avail. We held them out to the final whistle. Vyv summed it up for me beautifully after the match when he said he had never before been so elated about drawing a match. When you think that before this season we hadn't beaten the Army Vets in 6 years of trying, to win one, and draw one is a great result. We are playing really intelligent rugby at the moment. We seem to be able to change tactics smoothly between keeping it tight, to breaking it up, to going wide early. The effort that everyone is making for each other is also great to see and be a part of. A very proud Skips weeps before you! Team: Skips, Fandango, Satts, Pennock, SF Steve, Paddy (Hugo, 70 mins), AJ, Bosh (Darragh 40 – 60), Budge, Vyv, Lloydy (Gadsy 40), Toots, Baggy (Grundy 40), Tozer (who lost one against the head!), Fozzy. Tonka. Cheerleaders: Secs, JB plus spouses and off-spring various. So, onto the rest of the season which looks like this: Saturday 6 March Ealing Evergreens (home, team see below) 13 March Rosslyn Park Benchers (rearranged home fixture, early availability please) 20 March Chis's 70th birthday game 3 weeks off until 17 April Esher Expendables (away) 30 April Club Awards dinner. Awards will be made for Player of the Season, Most Improved Player and possibly one or two others. However, in time honoured tradition, only people attending on the night will actually be eligible to win so you had better all turn up. 21 – 24 May 2009/10 Heavies Touring Extravaganza to the Amsterdam 10s. Stash is coming on, as is sponsorship, although Heavies are notable in their absence from the sponsor roster. Please make yourselves known to your SMT. To date our record is as follows this season: Played 12. Won 9 + 1 walk over. Drawn 1. Lost 2 + 1 scrapped. Points for 440. Points against 220. I have the following replies so far for this Saturday. As you can see, I need a few more. It has been a while since many of you have let me have your availability so please take a couple of minutes to drop me and Addy a line to update us on this week and all the other fixtures. Skips
Secs
Tozer
Yelds
Grundy (?)
Lloydy
Darragh (although you said you might now be travelling, update please)
Budge
AJ
Matt
Chocs
Munchy Pip pip
Skips/Leonidas
|
