The Barbarians…..
For over a 100 years, a Barbarians team has graced the rugby pitches of the world over, and so it came on a very bright sunny Sunday in Hertfordshire that the honour, for indeed it is, fell on a group of young boys from Bishop’s Stortord Leopards and Old Albanians to play as a Baa-Baa’s team in the 2009 Herts Mini festival.
The Group met at the rear pitches as the other groups started their play. Anxious looks went round as the boys met each other for the first time. Who would emulate the Great Barbarians of our day, the new Jason Leonard, the new Jeremy Guscott and yes, even the new David Campese…? The coach asked the initial group who played as backs and all their hands went up together, hmmm... thought the coach. This was soon rectified as the second group arrived and a full compliment plus 3 subs provided the platform required. Even as the boys warmed up shouting (softly) their names as they passed the ball in the circle, could thoughts turn to 1973 v the All Blacks at the Arms Park?......
The real unsung heroes of the Barbarians are of course the coaching staff who like alchemists mix together a heady cocktail of talent into a single potent force. Following in the footsteps of Zinzan Brooke and now Mike Catt our ‘own’ group would be under the tutelage of ‘Obe Wan’ Lilley.
The weather was kind to us and the day allowed some time between games. As the other teams were able to get some relaxation, ‘Obe Wan’ drilled the boys in passing, positions, scrummaging, rucks and tackling. The boys listened well to their Jedi Master (sorry, that was last week’s report). So to the games.
Match 1 vs Tring C
An early try from Tring C was probably inevitable as the Barbarians were still looking for who was in what position. The match became a more even contest as it wore on and the forwards started to work together and backs began to link their play together. Eventually, continued pressure from the Baa Baas resulted in a fine try by Shaun, one of the OA members of the squad, on the brink of half time leveling the scores. After a group talk from the coach, the boys took to the field for the second half with their spirits intact.
Another fine effort from Shaun saw the Tring defense push him just into touch as he approached the line. Tring came back time and time again but great tackling from Aryan saw the scores remain level until a fine try by Tring right in the corner saw them take the lead. The boys were not going to take this lying down and an immediate response from Aryan saw him score a try. Concerted pressure from Tring saw them take the lead with only seconds remaining on the clock. The whistle blew straight after the try denying the Baa-Baas time to respond which undoubtedly they would.
Result: Tring C 15 Baa-Baas 10
Match 2 vs OA's D
The interval of around an hour and twenty minutes had been taken up by more training and this was clearly not wasted as the contest was much more evenly matched right from the start. By now the forward positioning had taken shape, which, combined with excellent delivery from the rucks by Kettle, saw the Baa-Baas putting pressure on the OA’s. This was eventually rewarded by a try from Kettle. OA’s responded very quickly with crisp quick passing to level the scores right on half time. As the boys huddled across the pitch from the spectators, it was obvious they were concentrating hard on what they needed to do against a cohesive OA team in the second half. A quick OA try as the second half put OA’s in the lead. Joseph from OA’s took possession from an OA ruck to level the scores as he barged his way through 3 or 4 of his compatriots. Like many before him, playing against team mates comes second to scoring for a Baa-Baas team. As the clock ticked down the OAs continued to attack the Baa Baas try line despite committed tackling from the Baa-Baas. Eventually, despite a last ditch tackle from the Baa-Baas a ‘double move’ reach for the line by the OA’s put them in front as the whistle blew. 2 games played and 2 very close defeats. It was clear to see that this team was starting to play as a unit and they were certainly not despondent as they trooped off for even more coaching.
Result: OA’s D 15 Baa-Baa’s 10
Match 3 vs Harpenden C
Harpenden were only able to field 8 eligible players for this game although the Stortford members knew just how effective 8 can be against 9 from the previous week. Harpenden took an early lead as they scored a quick try right in the corner. With set play now much crisper and effective from the Baa-Baas, Aryan responded almost immediately with a fine try from his own line out as the Baa-Baas finished the half.
During the half time break and with an almost Benitez-esque rotational policy from the coach, Tucker went to Scrum Half freeing Charlie Kettle to play fly half.
The second half started with another spirited attack by the Baa-Baas as the backs started to move the ball with a drive toward the Harpenden try. The Harpenden defense was solid though, and held the ball up right on the line. From the Harpenden scrum the Baa Bass gained possession and Francis (OA) ran in the second try. Harpenden returned the compliment within a few minutes to level the score at 2 tries apiece.
Kettle, now working with additional space at fly half, ran in a fine try from a Baa-Baas scrum to take the lead. Harpenden were still not giving up as their 8 players worked tirelessly to maintain possession and from one of their own put-ins ran in another try to again level the scores. It was a tight game but Joseph (OA’s) slipped his tackler to run into the corner closest to the roaring crowd and to take the lead. A try saving tackle from Aryan who could be seen watching his man towards him before crouching and releasing himself like a guided missile maintaining the first victory for the Baa Baas.
Result: Harpenden C 15 v Baa-Baas 20
Match 4 vs Hertford C
Ah, the old adversaries… Think England v Scotland, Australia v All Blacks, England v Germany and West Ham v Spurs there is a special place in everyone’s hearts when Bishops Stortford meet Hertford. For the Stortford and OA members beating Hertford would crown off a long but very enjoyable day, but would they win be able to build upon their first victory?
One sign was the pre-match build up which the parents could observe from the opposite side of the pitch. In the first couple of games the boys stood close to each other as the coach asked ‘who are we?’ ‘er Barbarians…’ they whispered, almost inaudibly above the other noise. After a very enjoyable first win the boys stood bound together in a huddle ‘who are we?’ was asked again, ’BARBARIANS!!!’ they roared, people looked round…especially Hertford C.
As the game started Kettle made a lightning fast run for glory, drew in 2 or 3 Hertford players out of position and deftly passed the ball to Francis (OA’s) who scored an excellent opening try. Immediately Joseph (OA’s) followed up with a lung busting run of almost ¾ of the pitch. He then scored his ‘double’ from another long run. As he drew breath, gulping air past his gumshield, his team mates came over to congratulate 2 fine runs and a 3 try lead. The rest of the first half passed uneventfully without a score, as both teams made committed tackles and prevented the other gaining space. Heat also was starting to take its toll not helped by some of the parents licking their 99’s in full view of the boys. Very cruel.
Hertford’s coach did a good job at half time as they came out of the blocks very quickly in the second half, to score a try right from the whistle. Aryan had been outstanding in his tackling all day and now he was looking to add to his tally of tries. As one of his team mates tackled the Hertford player Aryan ripped the ball from the maul and turned on his heals for yet another try to the Baa-Baas.
Despite brave attempts by Hertford, they were repelled again and again by the tackling and determination of the boys, then from now-where a blond blur could be seen as Kettle ran nearly ¾ of the pitch to score the final try of the game and a convincing win against Hertford C.
Result: Hertford C 10 Baa-Baas 25
The boys were denied another game which would have allowed them to win the majority of their games. The fifth and final game would have been against OA E’s (how many teams do they have!!?) but the members of that team made up some of the Baa-Baas. The boys went back handed back the coveted Baa-Baas jersey (well, yellow tea shirt) and said their adieus. They smiled, they were dog tired, but they had come together as boys and gone home as Barbarians…. till the next time.
- Larry Tucker
BSRFC vs Dudley Kingswinford RFC, April 19th 2009
Special Tour Match Report!
As another day dawned in Shropshire (well, 7am anyway) the boys woke (well, crawled) out of bed for Breakfast at the PGL training Facility in Boreatton Park. Training the previous day had consisted of the Climbing Wall for Strength, the High Wire for Confidence, the Giant Swing for Team Spirit and finally the ‘How many packs of Quavers washed down by Powerade can we eat ’ for Endurance. This was overseen closely by the parents with the Dad’s training finished off by watching Match of the Day washed down by another sort of ‘...ade’.
Fortified by a Bacon butty, we boarded the Bedford Millennium Falcon piloted by driver Sulu, (sorry wrong series) who had spent two days studying the map so that we could arrive on time and not go via Cirencester. He informed us that Warp drive was broken (wrong again) and he only had Diesel power and not a lot of it. He said it ‘had done the Kessel Run (via Romford) in 12 Parsecs’ but it seemed as though it wouldn’t pull skin off a rice pudding to me! Sulu just replied ‘The M6 ain’t like dusting crops kid’ – strange chap, I suggested a Tom Tom. We were heading for the ‘Dark Side’, well they do call it the Black Country after all…..
We made good time and arrived not long after the others in cars. Dudley Kingswinford were ready for us and had thoughtfully set aside a spot for the coach, although they did say ‘You came in that ??!! You’re braver than we thought…hope you’ve got AA cover’… We raced (kids raced, Dads ambled) to our allocated pitch. A warm and bright day saw some of the Dads reaching for their sun glasses, wow, must be the strong sun!
The Dudley team lined up. They must feed them something special up here, there were some big lads out there!! The pitch was well kept, even Arsene Wenger would have been pleased, but it was long and narrow, this was going to be a tough test for the boys’ stamina.
A quick try following a neat move by the Dudley forwards gave an early indication to their tactics, early ball and get big boys to crash through, very effective, especially to a team who were still waking up. Hmmm we can play at that game. Quick initial ball from Munro to Etherington saw both strength and agility come into play for an immediate response with a try from some 40 yards out by the visitors. We have a game.
But there was a sense of something Dudley had maybe not seen before, a strange power from their opponents, an energy field created by all livings things, it surrounds us and penetrates us….. (yes, the Boddingtons was making its presence felt)
Back to the game, Dudley came and came, this was much more than just crashing through without finesse, they were well drilled and determined, this was real 100mph rugby. One attack from Dudley saw the ball held on the line by Etherington, ‘this is not the try line you were looking for, move on’ he muttered slowly. Dudley formed again and could smell a try. But the boys in Blue and White stood firm until the biggest player from Dudley did a commendable remake of Lomu v Underwood on Tucker by running straight through him for Dudley's 2nd try. The response from Bishops Stortford was quick in coming, quick accurate passing saw Radley level the scores again with a powerful display of pace.
The parents were getting a work out too running up and down the pitch to keep pace with the plays. Another try from Dudley saw them take the lead again. The narrow pitch saw a number of line-outs which were fiercely challenged by both teams and which resulted in lots of chances to regain possession. Rolleston in particular was not only very successful in stealing the Dudley put in a number of times but also his determination and strength in the mauls meant that the team were able to regain any lost possession.
The intensity of the game picked up leading to both Hicks and Etherington going off injured. Excellent running and spinning out of tackles from Hicks were a key move late in the second half and looked promising until he was stopped in his tracks by one of the larger Dudley forwards. Unfortunately this ended Hicks excellent contribution for the rest of the game with a leg injury. However, despite the deficiency in numbers head were high as Etherington, now recovered, scored an excellent try. He even had the luxury of Godfrey and Rutherford on his shoulder if necessary - great awareness and support from all three players.
The score was Dudley Kingswinford 15 Bishops Stortford 15 as the referee blew for the end of the first half. It was anyone’s game.
Following a spirited half time talk by coach Andy the boys realized that this was a game they could win against a strong home side. They had been trained well by their Jedi Masters.
The referee had a fine first half and had said that he would take into account the 1 player deficit Bishops Stortford now possessed. Now, while we never question the referee or his decisions, there were some that felt the line between a Dudley player being offside and the ball being in open play, together with the ‘fragile’ control in grounding the ball was indeed a fine line. The boys accepted the Dudley try and moved on. Good attitude.
The next Dudley try was all the more commendable for their player in having the considerable force of Etherington hanging onto him as he past the line, a fine effort. I said they were big.
However, through sheer commitment and effort, Bishops Stortford were not through yet and following some excellent hold up play from Rutherford, Lilley took possession from the halfway line jinking left and right like a blue and white fighter through the Dudley backs to score a fantastic try. The boys were within sight again.
As the half wore on the tempo and temperatures increased to fever pitch and one of the larger Dudley players streaked into open space with only Tucker nearby, and another try looked on the cards. It was the same boy who ran through him in the first half, and realizing he was unlikely to bring down a boy twice his size running apace, Tucker held on as tightly as he could to his back, being carried about 10 yards in the process. ‘You held onto him like he owed you money’ said a mysterious man in a Hawaiian skirt. But Tucker slowed the boy enough for the heavy artillery to arrive, who promptly dispossessed the Dudley player. Job done.
However Dudley were not going to give up easily and repelled the ensuing Bishops Stortford attack right on their try line. Sheer numbers assisted of course but Dudley were very determined not to lose their lead, excellent defending. Etherington found open space suddenly which considering the extra man was a fine effort and resulted in another try for Bishops Stortford.
‘Come on the 8’ rang around the Swindon Road Ground.
As the play switched from one end to the other, the tallest boy in the Dudley team came from nowhere with arms outstretched to intercept a pass. Worthy of the Premiership as a display of timing and opportunity. Well played.
Then came the move of the whole game, big Radley was everywhere on the day and took hold of the ball in the Bishops Stortford half. He was tackled by 2 players but just wouldn’t go down and drew in more and more Dudley players, they were literally hanging off every limb but still the big guy in Blue and White stood tall. Lilley was running toward him at full pelt as Radley whispered ‘Feel the Force Dom’ as the ball seemed to float slowly from Radley’s hands in an impeccably timed offload. Lilley simply left others standing in a wake of dust and grass clippings as the rest of the team willed him to the line. Both sets of parents applauded a truly fine piece of Rugby.
Despite looking on in both disbelief and, I feel, admiration, Dudley just were not giving up, they are clearly too good for that. They came at Bishops Stortford again and again and scored their final try to go 10 points ahead.
As the game drew to a close, a Dudley put in at the scrum went against the head thanks to excellent scrummaging by the Bishops Stortford Front Row, and Munro set off on a blazing run only to be stopped within sight of the line.
When the whistle blew, it was somewhat a relief to everyone. The boys couldn’t have given more, they had nothing left in the tank. For the all the spectators it was time to congratulate both teams for a truly memorable match, it was one which epitomised hard, fair and inventive play by 2 sets of boys who had met for the first time today but will relish any rematch.
Final Score
Dudley Kingswinsford 35 Bishops Stortford 25
Dudley, and their team, gave a fantastic welcome to us all. They would be very welcome anytime at Bishops Stortford, they are formidable opposition and truly live up to their Club motto of ‘Forged in the Black Country’.
Coach Andy’s final comments were to say that the boys were a pleasure to Tour with which was wholeheartedly supported by all the parents.
The boys were now keen to relax and we decided that it would be an appropriate gesture to have the ‘warm down’ in the clubhouse. The boys were thirsty, but not as much as the Dad’s, hoarse voices testament to the cheering which clearly needed addressing. The boys were fed with the Hot Dogs laid on by the Club and the ‘Man Sized’ Burgers from the BBQ outside were proving particularly popular with the Dads. It was time to reflect (slowly) on an excellent Tour, and particular thanks should go to (Princess) Mary for the excellent arrangements.
It was also an opportunity to take in the history of this fine club which was formed in 1927. Photos of the 1st XV right back until 1927 grace the Bar area and the delay to the departure of the Coach were worthy of the time we devoted in that area studying them. It was interesting to see some photos which could have heralded a pre-prequel to the Star Wars Epics ‘Return of the Mullet’ with some very fine examples in the 1970’s and Star Wars Episode IIIa The Revenge of The Slug Balancer . In fact some of the moustaches probably hid a couple of Wookies under them.
But sadly, it was time to depart, as we exchanged Plaques with Dudley, we bade adieu to a Club clearly a large part of local life. A sunny day helped but here was a Club proud of their heritage, and in rude health with lots of people taking in a constant flow of matches, a real hub of activity. An excellent way in which to wind down (slowly remember), after a hectic couple of days
The sun was waning as we pulled into the Home ground, I was sure I saw a second sun, almost Tattoine like, in the distance. We greeted loved ones who turned out to welcome us with open arms, their heroes (the Boys not the Dads) had returned safe and sound.
May the Force be with you.
- Larry Tucker
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