Tuesday, 10 May 2011By Roger Holmes
The 2010-11 season was wrapped up in the traditional manner, when the 1st XV took on the combined might of the Presidents Select XV.
Prior to the match old timers, friends and guests assembled in the clubhouse for a convivial luncheon where friendships were rekindled over a quiet pint or three.
(Un)fortunately the proposed Vets match, due as a curtain raiser for the big game was off, as the opposition….errr, cried off. They had obviously got word on the grapevine that Sir Lord Chris Boz had assembled a star studded team of veterans.
The Vets therefore maintain their 100% unbeaten record, home and away.
Just as the coffee and mints were being served and the next round of Wainwrights hand pulled was being ordered, the teams ran out, or waddled in some cases, for the warm up.
Old sages in the clubhouse were in some confusion about the true nature of a ‘warm up’ indicating it was “never like this in my day”, etc.
As kick off approached, our referee Mr. Woods appeared, resplendent in a particularly garish pink shirt for the occasion.
The sun, which hitherto had been hiding behind some menacing rain clouds, came out to greet the teams, causing the clubhouse spectators to tear themselves away from the bar.
As the expectant crowd gathered on the top touchline and some of the wiser, and more relieved, Vets commented on how hard the pitch was and how warm it had suddenly become.
The President had cast his net far and wide [very wide in a few cases] and players had flocked to his clarion call from all points of the compass. All countries of the UK were represented, as well as a certain well upholstered front rower from Yorkshire.
(Tykes and Scots – not one to set the bar till into meltdown one would have thought.)
And so on to the game itself.
Well the 1st XV won after a tricky first quarter, but a full match report is being penned, I have been informed, by a 1st XV prop. You can therefore read all the gory details there.
So don’t build your hopes up for unbiased reporting! (I wonder if he mentions the two against the head.)
Back in the clubhouse the presentations were presided over by the President, who generously thank all who had travelled to play and also to those who organised the whole day and made it such a success.
Men of the Match trophies for both teams were awarded, and this year it was the Smith brothers taking the honours; Dan Smudge for the 1st XV and Gareth Smudge for the Presidents XV.
Club Captain Oliver McEntyre received the winners’ trophy for the third year in a row.
In the ‘drink off’ it was Gareth Smudge who outclassed brother as he had done most of the match!
PS: pics up in the photo section
