2001/02 match reports

21 April
Kent Vase Quarter Final

NatWest RFC 6
Old Elthamians RFC 14

Penalties: Trevor Andrews (2)

A bad tempered affair with Elthamians scoring there points in the first 20 mins. We had a try disallowed after the ref. had given it due to a dubious decision by there touch judge some 15m from the line with at least 2 phases of play intervening between that and the score but flag only went up after we had scored.

Ref was totally inept 2 of there players only warned for punching despite referee seeing the incidents and they then repeated the offences again in front of the ref. and he still did nothing.

Started the 2nd half strongly but were unable to cross there try line but were happy to let us kick 2 penalties the last 5 mins saw them come back into the game scoring a late drop goal.

Overall it was a good team effort other than for the first 20 mins however it was a game we could of won.

20 April

NatWest XV 10
Old Dunstonians XV 33

Tries: Phil Cantell (2)

No report

13 April
English Clubs Championship

NatWest RFC 29
Darenth Valley RFC 22

Tries: Ken Thomson (2), Dave Lawrence (2) Tom Banks
Conversions Tom Banks (2)

It was a perfect day for playing good running rugby but it took a little while for us to get out of first gear after a delayed kick of, eventually the forwards supplied some good ball and Ken slinked over for the first try. Further pressure also saw Tom Banks cross over in the far corner after a quick tap penalty. Then the usual NatWest suicide 10 minutes took over which saw a Darenth Valley score from a quick penalty after their number 12 ran straight through the pack whilst they looked like they were doing some feather dusting. The second half some of the best moves in the backs we have seen this season but we were still missing far too many tackles. Some good play in the backs saw Ken cross over again but Darenth never gave up and were allowed to close the gap after more sloppy defending.

It was only in the last ten minutes we made sure of the game with fatboy skips crossing the line twice, one after a good five metre scrum and the second after some good rucking from the forwards after 4 man line out.

On Sunday we have a cup match against Old Elthamians can anyone who is not available please email Me or Trevor, otherwise please do your best to be around as it would be good for the club to reach the semi and hopefully the final.

Dave

English Clubs Championship: Kent Two

as at 13 April 2002

Metropolitan Delta League

NatWest 2nd XV 8
Guy's Hospital 3rd XV 12

Try: anyone like to claim this?
Penalty Trevor Fegan

6 April
English Clubs Championship

NatWest RFC 7
HSBC RFC 6

Try: Dave Lawrence
Conversion: Trevor Andrews

A league game against HSBC is the kind of game that the team does not need to be psyched up for because it is the local derby. We knew it would be hard because they were fighting for survival in Kent 2 and so we expected them to come out all guns blazing. This is what they did and our defence held firm and after being in our half for the majority of the first half all they scored was a single penalty. Our reward for excellent defence was to score a breakaway try which came from Ode's quick thinking to take a quick tap off a penalty and set Dave free from 40 metres to scorch under the posts (well wobbled fat boy).

The second half continued in much the same vain as the first with us on the back foot and they managed to slot another penalty and we were under even more pressure. We had difficulty clearing our lines due to our fly half (which was me) kicking so awfully, I even managed to hit Les square in the chest. Thankfully our defence held out and Lawrence managed to block their attempt at a drop goal and relief was visible when the final whistle was sounded.

All in all it was a very good defensive performance and due to a few changes we did not really get our attacking game going. Thanks to those who filled in at the last moment, Trev I hope you got to work in time, H, James and well played everyone else. As I am away next weekend I would also like to take this opportunity to wish you good luck.

Trev

Kent Metropolitan Delta League

as at 16 March 2002

Results:

23 March
Metropolitan Delta League

NatWest 2nd XV vs Old Olavians 2nd XV

NatWest could not raise a team for this match.

16 March
English Clubs Championship

NatWest RFC 18
Old Elthamians RFC 5

Tries: Andrews & Lowth
Conversions: Andrews
Penalties: Andrews (2)

This was a game to make sure that we could not be relegated and from the kick off the team showed their determination to make sure of the win. Even with a late cry off (Fairchild again!) we managed to field one of our stronger teams of the season so far (thanks to Ross for the late call up & apologies to the 2's for nicking a few of their players).

We started the game in the best possible manner by exerting our dominance in the tight over the OE's scrum and forced them into conceding two penalties which were duly converted. Then for some good rucking and mauling from the forwards the produced some quick possession after driving deep into the heart of the OE's half and then the backs with a simple dummy switch in the centres saw Andrews scramble into the corner. This try was converted and we turned round at half time 13 points to the good even though we had our normal lapse in concentration for the last 15 mins of the first half.

The second half started with OEs coming at us with all guns blazing and after some determined defence they managed to squeeze over in the corner. After this score we started to show our true worth and dug in and would not give up in the hunt for another score. This came as another good set of phases from the forwards and was just a simple run in for Alex.

An overall view of the game was that we secured our own scrums and stole a few against the head and we mostly secured our ball in the lineout. This platform gives the backs a lot more time and it was visible that our backs were superior to theirs because of this solid platform. This means that if we can secure this kind of possession against HSBC and Darenth we will score quite a few more tries and guys how did that feel on Saturday as opposed to last Saturday!

This match shows that we are capable of better rugby than we normally produce and hopefully we can secure 2 more league wins and try to get further in the cup. So please make yourselves available for the tail end of the season and if you are not available please advise the relevant person so the people who do the organising know where they stand.

Trev

Metropolitan Delta League

NatWest 2nd XV vs. Shooters Hill 3rd XV

NatWest cried-off 2:30 pm

It was with great embarrassment that I arrived at the club on Saturday afternoon to find out we had cried off the 2nd XV match against Old Shoots. Crying off at any time in bad enough but to leave it beyond Thursday evening is really not acceptable.

This not only puts us in a bad light with other clubs but also the referee society.

Whilst it is primarily the responsibility of the Captains and Vice Captains to card the side it is you the players to make them aware of your availability / unavailability as soon as possible. This being if you have not heard from them by Wednesday evening at the latest you phone them.

I have noticed that E-mail is being used to card people a lot but same thing goes if people you have sent to have not responded with in 24 hrs pick up that phone.

Yours Les G

9 March
English Clubs Championship

NatWest RFC 0
Sheppey RFC 71

Metropolitan Delta League

NatWest 2nd XV vs MetPolice (Hayes) 2nd

Match cancelled.

3 March
Kent Vase 2nd Round

NatWest RFC 40
Ash RFC 14

Tries: Lawrence (2), Andrews, Black, McBride
Conversions Andrews (3)
Penalties Andrews (3)

THANK YOU LES GIBLIN (AGAIN) !!!

The journey down was a bit of nightmare with the directions not being the best and out of all the cars only two got there without much trouble. This meant that we were late and so there was no real time for a warm-up. The team was again a bit shaken up due to late cry offs etc. and we started with only 14 men but thanks to Les after 10 mins we were up to full strength, although at the time Dummers was spending 10 mins behind their posts for illegal use of the boot.

They were up for the challenge of playing a team 4 leagues above them and from the first kick off, the second and the third managed to knock on inside our own 22 which gave them good attacking position. Our scrum though was dominant and we won quite a few against the head and so could utilise the possession to put them on the back foot and play the game in their half.

Even though our set pieces worked fairly well our defence in loose play was not up to our usually high standard, I am not sure if there was quite a few hangovers from watching the England game the day before.

We had a very high percentage of the possession and quite a lot of chances went begging with a lot of handling errors occurring, but all in all the win was what was required on a Sunday in deepest Kent and that was what was achieved and so our Cup run can continues and we have Old Elthamians in the quarter finals so who knows what we may achieve.

Trev

2 March
Metropolitan Delta League

NatWest 2nd XV 26
HSBC 2nd XV 7

Tries: Phil Black, Mal Munro 3
Conversions Christian Vere 2, Romian Nick

A game, which was billed as a crunch match for the 2's proved once again the new toughness shown in the team and the determination to turn over the previous week defeat.

The match started well for us camping in HSBC's 22 and taking a couple of scrums against the head, this resulted in a 5 metre scrum to us which we proceeded to shove them back over the line only for the ref to disallow, a perfectly decent try by yours truly. He said I had dropped it, which of course I didn't!!! From the resulting scrum we turned the scrum and won another, this time Christian wanted to pick up himself but as I put it 'leave it, leave it' and I duly made up for the earlier mistake. Christian converted to put us 7-0 up. After this we seemed to go to sleep as we thought we would walk all over them, but as usual HSBC fought back with some running rugby which took the game from end to end, finally resulting in a fantastic try by Phil Black, carrying the fullback with him for at least 15 metres, Christian again converted. We then went totally let the foot of the pedal and allowed them to score a sloppy try which they duly converted, leaving the half-time score 14-7 in our favour.

So after the break, we decided to take the game too them again and start as we had in the first half, so excellent inter-play between backs and forwards, left Wayne with two men to beat, but instead of dancing his way around them he took out the winger and presented the ball to beat the full back, who was covering from somewhere across the field, again he wanted a piggy back, which I duly provided. This was unconverted. HSBC went close on a number of occasions after this, with their Open side copying me by dropping one over the line, again as we have shown all season the defence was solid, keeping a well drilled back line away from our line. Gary Casey, Tim Timmins, Mike Sutcliffe, Phil Black and Simon Lawson, without your last ditched tackles we certainly may have lost this game.

As with earlier in the season we left the best try and my third to last, some would say we were showboating, but I just think it was just good interplay between al 15 players. Mark Rowe, back from OZ, took 3 defenders out on their 10 metre line and somehow popped the ball to me who run it in under the posts. I would say I out ran 3 defenders (thanks Phil for that), but I think they were a prop, hooker and a second row so no great achievement there. Nick duly converted and we Won what was an important game, which must improve our position in the league and keep the pressure on the teams above us. Thanks to you all who turned out, I know it was a bit late in getting in contact with you all, but it was worth getting the double over HSBC. One last comment, Ginger I didn't stamp on Nick's ankle or I don't think I did.

See you all on Saturday another big game away to Met Police.

Mal

20 February
Kent Vase - 2nd Round

NatWest RFC played
Lloyds Bank RFC

Tries: Don't know
Conversions: Don't know
Penalties: Don't know

23 February
English Clubs Championship

NatWest RFC 29
Bexley RFC 13

Tries: All points to Messrs Orridge & McGregor
Conversions:
Penalties:

Metropolitan Delta League

NatWest 2nd XV 5
Footscray 2nd XV 22

Half-time 5-22
Try: Wayne Sealey

9 February
Metropolitan Delta League

NatWest 2nd XV 5
Bexley 2nd XV 5

Try: Mike Pettit

NB update on scorers, last week's try in the Dover match was scored by Alex Lowth, not Dave Lawrence!

10 February
Kent Vase - 1st Round

NatWest RFC 34
Sittingbourne RFC 22

Tries: Ken Thomson (2), David Lawrence, Dylan Williams
Conversions: Trevor Andrews (4)
Penalty and Drop Goal Trevor Andrews

Draw for round 2 will be made after matches completed on 17 Feb.

10 minutes before the game everyone in the changing room was focused. An excellent warm up period had got the mind focused. I think it is important to state that the 40 minute warm up before the game was the best I have been involved in as a NW player. Everybody was concentrating on their own role and the work ethic was excellent. Very few errors were made, lineouts were good, the ball movement was good, everyone was bang up for the game.

Lets not forget, this was hardly a recognisable first fifteen with several players playing well out of position and Sittingbourne had provided us with two league defeats. A big thank you to all the players but especially Jason Cook for turning up and making a valuable contribution as a second half substitute as a blind side flanker.

We started the game with a strong wind behind us and knew that early points were necessary. Sittingbourne were complacent and it showed as the front eight took the game to them led by the pack leader Dave Lawrence who continually made valuable yards. Two early penalties put us ahead. As much as it hurts me to provide compliments the Skipper's kicking was once again out of the top drawer.

We continued to dominate, all fifteen of us tackled like madmen knocking them backwards and the backs kept crossing the gainline. It was no surprise that the pressure finally told and Dave L took a quick penalty and crossed the line from 1 YARD.

Moments later Dave L picked up from the base of the scrum, broke one tackle, then passed out of the next one to set up an overlap. Quick hands from the backs saw Kenny T break clear and score under the posts. Both tries converted NatWest winning by 20 points.

Sittingbourne came back to 20-17. I can hear everyone say the usual story but in this case I do not think so. Some dubious referee decisions and some good play by them let them back but it was not sloppy from us. No one on the pitch said here we go again, heads were held high and nobody thought they were going lose and it showed. Skips eased the pain somewhat with a drop goal (he was fined) and the game was well balanced.

At this point in the game we had a strange line up. Dave L was hooker (Les G went off injured after a fine display which included several tackes) ODE moved to prop. Cameron went to second row, I went to 8, Ken T to open side and Jason Cook to blind side. Oh crap I hear you say, but the team got their heads down and took the game to them. The referee awarded a dubious penalty to us (who cares) and Trev missed the kick, however, they ran at the kicker so he got another go. Surprisingly he missed again into the strong wind, but the ball hung in the air and Ken T chased and caught the ball n the air and fell over the line for his second try. Trev converted.

Under pressure again we tackled ferociously but an overlap saw them score on the wing (a prop might I add). Kick missed, blues up by seven. A large crowd had assembled and you could feel their nervousness. Could we hang on?

WE spent the next couple of minutes in their half and won a scrum 10 yards from their line. A great ball from the front five was ruined by me at 8 who failed to pick up and possession was lost. No slagging off instead the pack packed down and pushed them off their ball. Christian picked up and made a break. He popped the ball to me and my expanding waste and I trundled over from 5 yards. The game was ours.

A great victory and a thoroughly enjoyable game for players and spectators. I am convinced we have the best players in the league and this match was a good indicator that I am right. Confidence and concentration is the key. Lets stop selling our selves short and prove to the rest of the league what we already know.

It was a pleasure chaps even if I did not get back to Manc until gone midnight.

Regards Dylan

PS TOUR to Barcelona, a good squad has assembled to avoid disappointment call Bobby Prior (020 8686 6364)

Footnote - Jason Cook coming on for his first game in two years, also made his twenty fifth appearance for the 1st XV!!

Kent Vase - A View from The Coach!

A truly entertaining match against a side that had beaten us twice already in the league this year.

Highlights for me

• the upfront tackling from the entire side - whilst the big second row scored twice whilst we were trying to reorganise the side after losing 2 tight five forwards with no replacements on the bench - we basically stopped the opposition on the gain line. Difficult to pick out individuals but Cameron was outstanding and we were rock solid in the flyhalf/inside centre channel.
• tight play - we managed to win our share of the ball. Thanks to Ken, Jason, Dylan and especially Les who had to step in upfront at various stages. Steve Griffiths has an immense game in the lineout and some of our driving play was brilliant.
• control from the base of the scrum was good and Dave Lawrence probably had his best game for the club. Making yards going forward he was also able - in conjunction with his backrow colleagues - to prevent a very good opposition number 8 from playing.
• clinical finishing - by and large we took all the opportunities that came our way. It made a significant difference when we came under pressure in the second half.
• goal kicking - as above we kicked everything - with the exception of the planned move precision missed kicked - and they didn't.

Man of the match - Trevor Andrews

Back to his best form in what must be his best position. Made yards, tackled ferociously and exuded a never say die attitude that rubbed off on the whole side.

Exceptional stuff gents - we have started to put some good stuff together over the last few weeks. Our backs are getting in front of our forwards and we are starting to make life very uncomfortable for whoever we play. The luck on Sunday seemed to be turning our way for once and long may it continue.

Mark Wills

2 February
English Clubs Championship

NatWest RFC 13
Dover RFC 19

Tries: Dave Lawrence & Nick Whiteley
Penalty: Trevor Andrews

This game was a game of two halves with the elements and slope determining which side had control of field position, but saying this we were the stronger side after the first 10 mins of the game. Unfortunately the first 10 mins we were still in journey mode and let a hyped up Dover side dominate us and score two early tries. After this initial period we woke up and fought back and scored a penalty to cut the margin but again due to a lack of concentration we conceded another try before half time. After the turn around we showed that we were the superior team and dominated for virtually the whole half with Dummers and Fatboy Slim (D Lawrence) going over for a try apiece. The problem we then had was converting our pressure into points and we came very close with Laurence & Wayne both being held up over the line and Fatboy Slim scored a try but the ref was the wrong side to see it.

One of the moments of the match, even though I told him I was not going to say anything, was Wayne the try scoring machine running at the smallest player on the pitch was dumped into touch!!!!!

Thanks to the team that played on Saturday especially Wayne for turning out on the wing for us AGAIN but I would just like to say that I am VERY DISAPPOINTED that we could only mange to get 15 players to travel to Dover even though there was not a 2nd XV match and in that 15 was only 4, yes 4, proper backs so Dave Lawrence, Tom Leathes, Wayne and Dummers thank you for playing in the backs!

With this lack of commitment on a Saturday it is no wonder that the teams results are poor considering the talent there is at the club and I would like to say to all of you, if it was not for the commitment of a small number of players week in and week out then this club would not survive. So I urge you all to take a moment and think whether or not you think you give YOUR rugby club the commitment it deserves!!!

Trev

26 January
English Clubs Championship

NatWest RFC 7
Aylesford RFC 9

Half-time 0 - 6
Try: Dave Lawrence
Conversion: Trevor Andrews

This was a great game of rugby played in awful conditions against a very strong, well organised Aylesford XV. NatWest played against the strong wind in the first half and defended resolutely as Aylesford tried to make territory count. Some great work by the pack and no nonsense tacking by the backs restricted Aylesford to just two penalties in the first half so we turned around 6-0 down full of confidence that we could overturn the deficit with the wind advantage.

As is so often the story the we had a 15 minute spell when we fell asleep and the tempo of our game dropped allowing Aylesford to pressure the NatWest line, but again some great defending only allowed Aylesford to score one more Penalty, this led to a NatWest recovery led by the NatWest pack with some great tight driving play, leading to continued possession which eventually led to the very slim inside centre, speeding over for a well deserved try. Special mention must go to the pack who played some of the best rugby played by a NatWest eight since 1762 'Ginger's Debut'. Although we lost there was much to be proud of and if we didn't have a bad 15 minute spell we would have beaten a team considered to be above us, so lets all be available for the Dover game on Saturday and give em a right stuffing.

Dave L

26 January
Metropolitan Delta League

NatWest 2nd XV vs Old Olavians 2nd XV

Postponed - water logged pitch
Rearranged for 23 March

19 January 2002

NatWest RFC 10
King's College Hospital RFC 15
(Match Abandoned)

Try: Henry Spratt
Conversion: Trevor Andrews
Penalty: Trevor Andrews

The game was stopped after 52 minutes due to Henry Spratt breaking his leg very badly.

19 January 2002: Metropolitan Delta League

NatWest 2nd XV 17
Darenth Valley 2nd XV 0

Tries: Wayne Sealey, Simon Lawson, & Joe Hodgins
Conversion: Gibbons

Saturday started promisingly in the bar with us having 17 on paper this included the welcome return of 'H' back following his year and a bit off due to injury. The First XV being one short begging for a body which we would have let them have quite happily however Mike Sutcliffe arrived but informed us couldn't play owing to him attempting to jump a car on his push bike and failing.

We were technically at 16 but the First's left one short. This game meant an awful lot to the 2nd XV who had gone over there and been well and truly stuffed by Darenth's 1st XV earlier in the season. Tommy still not here meant H started not at prop but in his original position on the flank.

We kicked off wind at our backs they ran it back I conceded a penalty in front of the posts for clothes-lining their centre well he was short and ducked , however for a change luck was on our side the wind blew and we cleared our lines, and there then started a repeat performance of the previous weeks with us clearing our lines and then they attack back to within 10m for a period and we stop them scoring and then hit them on the break , the most frustrating part of this is the fact we fail to tackle them in the first 30m of there attack. There main tactic was to give it to there Big Fat Bloke who appeared to be used to bouncing off little people to make yardage however, Nat West had there own namely yours truly at the end of the game I've never seen anyone looking so P£$$ed off at being stopped so many times.

The pack did its job again standing strong and giving the scrum half lots of clean ball to work with, spoiling in the lineout and making lots of yardage on the break.

Don't ask me how the tries were scored as I was to far away to see other than Wayne who did yet another impression of Mosses.

We turned round 17-0 up at half time with the wind blowing then all of a sudden it dropped so became less of a factor the 2nd half was much the same as the first with them putting on the pressure and us absorbing it for long periods and then making long in roads back into there half with 20 mins to go we received our first Yellow Card of the season to Kiwi for yet another high tackle to be fair it was only his first but about our 5th as a team, so down to 14 men for 10 mins the pack now reduced stood strong and the back tackled everything that moved. Darenth became more and more frustrated this leading to them giving away silly penalties and costing themselves at least a score if not the game.

We survived the 10mins and Kiwi rejoined us just as we were attacking from there 10m line a flowing move through the backs put Mike Petit away in the corner for a try unfortunately he failed to score as he touched down on the 5m line realised his mistake but by then the advantage was lost game continued with us not applying the pressure but failing to make it count. Only observation from this game is why do we let people run 30-40 yds before we tackle them if we can do it 10m from our line we can do it 50.

On looking at the league tables we can climb at least 1 place following Saturdays result taking us up to 4th and of the teams above us possibly these being Shoots who we beat and Footscray who we have in 2 weeks time but only narrowly lost to with 11 men in those lovely warm summer days of September who are more than beatable this only leaves Guys who appear to be miles ahead of everyone but have been beaten. Winning the league may be out of our reach but finishing lower than where we are at present would be an injustice to all the hard work you have put in. The foundations have been laid let's try to crown the season off in style.

Les G

On a sadder note the 1st XV had there game abandoned following Henry Spratt having his Tib & Fib broken by the very nice Dr's at Kings College obviously short on patients to practice on. I sure he'd be pleased to see some of us if he's not to busy with the NURSES.

On a note of etiquette Kings skipper called this morning to find out how he is and they may also go in and see him, nice touch I thought.

12 January 2002: English Clubs Championship

NatWest RFC 27
Old Gravesendians RFC 24

Tries: Lowth, Williams & Andrews
Conversions: Andrews (3)
Penalties: Andrews (2)

This was one of the first time that the team selected on a Tuesday actually turned out on Saturday, which obviously shows that we had probably our strongest side out all season.

The game started extremely well for us because after 15 minutes we were 21-3 up after playing some excellent rugby. I admit our first try came from some good fortune with Dylan crashing over from 3 yards after collecting a rebound off the post from a well struck penalty. I think, as most of the players and supporters would agree, we were due some good fortune this season and that helped us start the game the way we did. After Dylan's try there was some good fluent rugby played which led to touchdowns by Alex and myself (even though Cameron admitted that he did not score to avoid a drink of death for his first try for the club).

After this excellent start with the forwards dominating the scrums and getting round the park the game really was there for us to put a large score on O. Gravesendians but as per usual we decided to ease up slightly which led to OGs staging a comeback.

The half time team talk was about us exerting some pressure and making sure we scored first to really kill them off but after a few minutes of the second half we conceded their first try. We knew then we were in for a tight game and they managed to score two further tries to bring the game level. Then with only 5 minutes remaining they were awarded a penalty which fortunately they duly missed and we managed to make our way up the pitch and kick a penalty of our own which sealed victory.

OVERALL THE WIN HAD BEEN SECURED BUT THE WHOLE TEAM KNOWS THAT THERE IS A LOT MORE POTENTIAL FOR THIS SIDE AND SO IF WE PUT A BIT MORE EFFORT IN GETTING TO TRAINING THE REST OF THE SEASON WOULD BE THAT MUCH MORE COMPETITIVE AND FUN.

Trev

12 January 2002: Metropolitan Delta League

NatWest 2nd XV 23
Greenwich 2nd XV 0

Tries: Black, Munro & Sealey
Conversions: Gibbons
Penalties: Gibbons (2)

This was a really satisfying victory against a strong side. We had 14 men for the entire game and faced a team although, a bit on the old side, were big and lumpy. Our defence was very solid and we withstood long periods when the oppo were camped in our half. The forwards deserve special mention, as they never moved back despite being considerably outweighed (if we don't count Les). Despite this advantage Greenwich never looked like scoring and we always looked very dangerous on the break.

The first try, scored by Phil, who took a bad pass very well and convincingly beat a couple of defenders to score a great try. The second score came just after half time when Wayne took the ball out of a maul to force himself over the line. This was somewhat against the run of play but we took advantage of every opportunity.

This has set up a very interesting race for leading try scorer for the season between Phil and Wayne who have 8 and 9 respectively I think.

The final score came after the best bit of rugby I have seen from us all season. Phil made a break and beat a couple of players before feeding Simon Lawson. Simon then took the ball on before looping a pass on to Malcolm to score. This was showboating but very impressive.

So overall this was a very satisfying result and an excellent performance which should hopefully set us up for the remainder of the season.

Cheers

Simon G

29 December 2002

NatWest Club XV 14
Old Dunstonians 4th XV 17

Tries: Adrian Plats & Odie
Conversions: Trevor Fegan (2)

This game saw the welcome return of a couple of old boys one through agreeing to play whilst pissed the other as it was his old school we were playing.

We took to the field with a borrowed kit as ours had failed to materialise behind the bar at Sydenham as requested and also one of there players so we could go up to full strength.

On kick off we decided to play a wide expansive game as they had a huge pack and as such thought they would cause us all sorts of trouble in the pack first scrum would be the test they didn't budge us and they went backwards (In the bar afterwards the confessed this was the first time it had happened to them all season). With Christian marshalling the backs we started to dominate at scrum and fly half however they had decided to put in there 1st XV centre and winger also another player who they claim was a 4th team player but would have made our 1st XV as a winger/centre . However Tim and Freddy held firm and they made very little ground, through the middle the forwards ground away and started to create space for the backs, the ref even giving a knock on against yours truly after the ball had come off my knees and put Trev Fegan away with support from our guest player from about 30m out with one man to beat.

We then went through a period of stalemate with us having slightly the upper hand and us winning a line from 5m out from their line an overthrown ball was tided up by Steff Burkwood who fed Adrian Platts who had come from deep on the burst to take the pass and crash over for the first score Trev Fegan converted. Old D's responded straight away and the first half ended all square. but on a sour note with Pete Young limping off injured having been injured in a line out by not landing properly and damaging his ankle hope it recovers soon so that he can enjoy next weeks skiing.

This saw us bringing on another Old D's player this one being barely out of short trousers and without enough meat on his bones to make a decent sandwich but he was young and keen and just the right sort of game to be introduced to big boy rugby.

We knew we had to take the game to them through the forwards and piled on pressure with even your truly have a trundle at pace (bit like watching a real winger in slow mo.) battering a few people on route , to which I fed Christian who was walking in support who popped it on to Wayne who looked certain to score but lost control of the ball as he broke the tackle.

They won the resulting scrum and kicked clear only for it to be gathered by Tom Banks to run back at them from the ensuing ruck the ball was spread across the park to find our Club Skips remembering when he used to a scrum half coming into the line and crashing in from 20m out again Trev converted.

We then applied more pressure on there line which lead to the turning the injury to there skips and fly half this lead to them bringing on another replacement who was slightly better quality and moving there big fast centre to the wing ,to pit man against boy.

In the last 15 mins Old D's scored twice in the corner also had one disallowed as being held up though Steff confirmed to me in the bar it had been grounded and he'd slid his hand underneath during the pile up before the ref arrived.

We kept the pressure on right until the death with Trev Fegan attempting an audacious drop goal from the half way line with the last kick of the game it was only 1 yard short and 7 yards wide not a bad effort . Steve Griffiths also managed to get his 3rd disallowed try of the season this time apparently for foot in touch as he put the ball down.

Overall a good afternoons work enjoyed by all who played a big thank you to John Green for stepping in at 2nd row also to the 2 Old D's lads for putting a lot of hard work against there club mates sorry we couldn't give you the win. Thanks to our Old Boys Burkwood and Platts for making guest appearances see you for the rematch in April if not before hand.

HOPE YOU ALL HAD A GOOD XMAS HAPPY NEW YEAR

Les G

P.S Cheers to Ginger, TP, Mrs Grif, Odie and Les for coming to support.

Please note it's Pete Young's 30th on the 8th Jan (fines committee please make sure he pays the penalty when he's back from ski-ing!!)

22 December 2002: English Clubs Championship

NatWest RFC 6
Sittingbourne RFC 24

Penalties Trevor Andrews (2)

8 December 2001

Guy's Hospital 3rd XV 40
NatWest 2nd XV 6

2 penalties - Trevor Fegan
Half time 14-6

The game started well for the bank dominating the scrum and driving Guys off there own ball much like we had done the previous week, line outs were a different matter with them having a 6ft 6 plus jumper at the front even in these days of lifting we were out classed the back however played exceptionally well breaking the gain line and with some good interplay between forwards and back had us sniffing at there try line. However they decided to give us a penalty instead of allowing free ball we jumped into a 3-0 lead from the boot of Trevor Fegan. By now our rucking game had also improved with us actually stepping over the player on the ground and driving the opposition out of the way. Occasionally we forgot to pick up the ball afterwards but at least those of you that train are putting into practice what MARK is teaching and us older players are following your lead. With our backs making a lot of first up hits this was a game that could be for the winning. However Guys breached our defence midway through the first half to score under the posts. We however responded quickly and another Penalty from Trev kept us well in the match however Guys Territorial advantage was beginning to show as well as there youth, for whilst we looked good on the break and had the pace on the outside they dominated the pace at which the game was played. For whilst we did everything right and against any other side would have scored far more points as the general fitness levels would have been comparable. Guys turned this pressure into another try before half time.

The 2nd half saw us very much in the game still with the possibility of us scoring tries a real option and the scrum dominating lots of possession however in the end fitness told as we tried to play a wide expansive game which any other day with the backs we had out would have been a real option as overall the handling was good with fewer errors than we had made the previous week against Midland and won. In hindsight what we should have done was to play this sort of game but in phases as we had the first half as the pack were beginning to tire and there support was getting there quicker than ours.

Les G

Whilst the above report may seen critical it no way reflects the amount of effort that was put in and the fact that good RUGBY was played through out the match which was refereed far better than some of the games this season. Remember this report is written in hindsight and every team member is welcome to comment in the weekly focus if you don't like reading what is written.

It does bring into question how come we were beaten by the side that were beaten by HSBC quite convincingly earlier in the season.

Options are:

1. Some of Guys 2nd XV didn't fancy the trip to Betts Hanger (don't blame them)
2. Midland used the same tactic they employed against us in the 2nd half of last week's game and battered it short all game
3. We did not adapt to the game quick enough

Best bit of the day the good OLD-FASHIONED plunge bath unless your name is Wayne who would share a bath with us ruftty tuffty types.

N.B. ALL CLUB MEMBERS PLEASE NOTE THERE IS A GAME ON THE 29TH OF DEC AT OLD DUNSTONIANS AGAINST THERE 4th XV TIME TO RUN MINCE PIES AND XMAS PUD THIS IS A 2ND / 3RD XV FIXTURE ALL FIRST TEAM PLAYERS WELCOME TO MAKE A GUEST APPEARANCE.

Click here for 2000/01 season results