Old Wheatleyans “B” 50+ - 5 Old Coventrians “B”
True Rugger ….
A mixed Old Wheats side took on a mixed Old Covents side on a cold Saturday afternoon, but the game was played as rugger was meant to be played … warm up = a quick smoke, 30mins each way followed by a cold dribbling shower and straight to the bar to watch the silly big boys try and do it “properly”?
The Wheats front row was made up of Paul Hartop, Tony Harris (2nd game of the season) and Carl Dennis. Ian Hadridge was joined in the row by Billboard Barrett - making a special appearance for the Wheats (by special we mean the Heat jacket he was wearing). In the back row young Weaver was forced into action due to late cry offs and was ably assisted by his bulkier father, Greg and Si H. In the backs Dean Bryant started at 9, Birchy returned for a quick run out (due to suspension from football for ….) at 10, a dangerous centre partnership was formed by Charlie Hands and Richard East. Another footballer, Chris Warn played on one wing with Brown on the other and Rich Bennett slotting in at full back. A good old mixed bag all in all, who knew what would happen?
From the off the Wheats made their intentions clear … by dropping the kick off. Luckily, things improved from here and Wheats looked to run all the ball they could to try and keep warm. OC’s had a mixed side of youth and experience and looked more than capable of matching the Wheats upfront. Although the Wheats were having the better at scrum time.
Everyone was relatively keen and looking to get ball in hand so it wasn’t long before the 1st try came, Super Hands gliding through the defence. The causal Birchy conversions of drop & smack didn’t quite come off 1st time.
Several tries followed in the 1st half, forwards were winning there share of ball and the backs were executing superbly, with Birchy dancing round opposition at will, Hands boshing, and the Beast looking to create space for others OC’s were struggling a little to cope with the Wheats back line. The back 3 had there fair share of ball and Browny was backing himself and scored some good long range tries. Beno took one superb line from 15 only to drop the ball on the ground 20yds later. Warn was keen to get hands on ball but the final pass never quite made it to him.
With a score of approx 30 odd at half time the Wheats were keen to get half time break jobbed so they could get on with the rest of the game. Not long into the 2nd half Tim Miles came onto make his 1st appearance of the season on the wing and within seconds was welcomed back by 3 OC’s players hitting hard. Chariman Rich Hartopp also entered the fray in the back row to add some more experience, had it not been for Casper the Wheats would have had a seriously aged back row on display. It was worrying when Greg and Rich were consistently first to the breakdown with Casper lagging behind – you can’t buy or teach experience.
More tries followed from the smoking back line, but the most memorable moment of the half came when Super Hands hacked through and all he had to do was pick up and drop over the line, there followed the impression of a chicken trying to pick up an cracked egg and Super was not so Super anymore.
OC’s also recorded a deserved try during the half. After 20mins or so both sides were looking to the referee to call a halt to things so the more serious business could begin …..
OC’s were certainly not weak opposition and had some good players on the field, the Wheats new found determination and commitment paid off, especially for the backs who scored some great team and solo tries.
This week sees the Wheats 1’s away to Trinity Guild in yet another must win game. As always, try to respond on availability by return.
MOTM: Birchy, Hands and Browny all scored and set up some great tries. But award goes to Greg for outplaying his son.
DOTD: Hands for the above said? No, without debate this weeks awards goes to Neil Hodgkiss.
- Carl D: 7/10 The entire front row scrummaged superbly and got well stuck in.
- Tony H: 7/10 You’d never know he’d been away! Hope to see more of Tony this season
- Paul H: 7.25/10 Enjoyed getting back to prop and solid as ever.
- Haddo: 7.25/10 Everywhere once again and did top job as the Wheats only lineout jumper.
- JBH: 7.5/10 Certainly adds bulk to the side. Tackled everything that moved and looked to run with ball in hand whenever he could. Great game. Also a big Thanks to Club Heat for opening up and showing England game for us all.
- Si H: 7.25/10 Usual focus and commitment – solid.
- Casper: 8/10 The aforementioned is obviously banter, he was once again awesome!
- Greg: 7.5/10 Good performance but get ready to move back to the 2 shirt!
- Dean: Birchy struggled a bit with the pace and precision of some of the passing, luckily the Wheats have invested in full medical kit so Birchy’s hands could be bandaged straight after the game.
- Birchy: 8/10: a true class player, especially when running at the opposition (2 tries)
- Browny: 7.75/10 scored 3 well deserved tries with blistering / simmering pace.
- Charlie: 8/10 Super as always – great D and great A (2 tries)
- Easty: 7.9/10 glides with ball in hand creating things around him (1 try)
- Warn: 7.5/10 shame we didn’t see him get battered
- Beno: 7.75/10 solid and skilful display.
- Tim Miles: 7.5/10 not given much opportunity but in the right place at the right time
- Rich H: 7.5/10 added experience to the pack and was seen making one huge hit
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