Some days everything clicks and this was one of
those days the play was awesome by everyone, with the ones and two both
playing and being short of players we lost the experienced welsh wizard
Wynn to the twos, Chris Hemingway, Brendan, Duffy, Joe Baker and Jamie
all missing or injured I just about pulled a side together which
included two 53 year olds two 18 year olds who have been in
America for 5 years and a player just getting back to playing after a
15 year break. To top all this Gooey, for the first time in his 25
years of rugby, forgot his boots and had to return to St Albans to pick
them up. The ref would not allow a delay so we kicked off on time.
Welwyn won the toss and elected to kick rather than but the low sun
behind them a strange decision. From the kick Ross Court took the ball
and made 30 yards before popping the ball out ,2 passes later we
crossed for our first score. The first ten minutes were all ours. We
had to have uncontested scrums whilst we waited for Gooeys return. We
run in a couple of more trys. We then went down to 14 men when Welwyn
pointed out to the ref this was a merit ruling. We obliged and ran in
more trys. The Goo returns with boots. First contested scrum is theirs
but we wheeled it 90 degrees and get the put in. The next scrum all
credit to Welwyn they went in hard Richard Tanner not really talking
the hit well and injuring his shoulder. So back to uncontested scrums.
The half ended and all I can say was we were well in front. The
combination of youth and old working really well together. The Lynch
and Maile boys at half back and the Lynch and Maile Dads at flanker all
working well. The flankers cleaning up ball all over the place the
young boys putting width on it when needed and quick quick
ball.The centre partnership in its second game is working well good
solid defending and great lines of running. Osbourne kicks going over
all day and Hugo having a stormer. Stuart Grey hit some good lines and
caught everything at the back. We had a penalty the second half a quick
dummy to Crownie and Crompton took the ball at pace and two men of
Welwyn did not know what hit them. Jim in his first proper year back
for sometime is defiantly the tallis man of the pack leading by
example. We were winning a lot of lineout. Ross Court picking up
anything thrown near him. Tony and myself picking up anything long.
It's difficult as a captain to have a game plan when both forwards and
backs can win you the game. What do you do say stick it up the jumper
and keep it tight or put it out wide with pace. My team talk is the
same every week encourage each other don't moan at each other. If you
have time to moan and whinge you would have had time to help your mates
out. Let's play hard but fair and enjoy our rugby. Welwyn were a great
bunch who never gave up right up to the end of the game most of us at
the Vees know what its like taking a result like that. But we wish them
well for the rest of the season they will improve. And thanks to Dave
their bar manager for sending me a beer out I needed it. Well done lads.
Team
Gooey, Chris Grey, Richard Tanner, Ross
Court, Jim Crompton, Kevin Lynch (Captain), Tony Maile, Sam Crown,
Casey Lynch, Tom Maile, Demetiri Tsangari, Ross Osbourne, Hugo Neal,
Jordan Hambidge, Stuart Grey.
Subs: Ryan Hambidge, Tom Clendon.
Tries: C Lynch 1, K Lynch 1, J Crompton 2, S Grey 2, D Tsangari 1, T Clendon 1, H Neal 1, R Osbourne 2
