Some familiar and unfamiliar faces were in the 3rds line-up which is the easiest excuse to use for an error strewn first half performance from the Mighties, where despite the slope being against them the 2nds showed more clean heels than Fred Astaire on the Christmas re-runs.

There were some hints of better things to come however, with Spence S despite now having a physique fast veering to that of a weeble, showing much of his hatred of mankind in every tackle, whilst Cunzie was back in his rightful HRFC colours following his brief * sabbatical at Boroughmuir, showing what a great player he remains.

The 2nds opened the scoring through a touch down from Duncan after Ady and Rosco got themselves into what the great Bill McLaren might have termed "a right guddle". The Red Arrow then scorched in for his first, before a family affair saw Baby Mitch score having dumped Uncle John on his rear,
the tremor from which was felt in Norway. The Red Arrow then scorched in for another, pursued gamely by the aforementioned Cunzie, before being hit for jug avoidance. Indeed with his scoring record against the Mighties in the last two seasons one would assume he now sleeps with one eye open.
Aaron McCall then went in for a beaut, showing a lot of nerve having been on the receiving end of several stomach emptying hits from Spence.

Half time came and barrel of gun sprung to mind, with the 2nds leading 29-0 and the sounds of what appeared to be 15 man whooping cough outbreak as the "mature" 3rds tried valiently to get some oxygen.

However a clever tactical switch at half-time (or strictly the avoidance of a switch of direction) saw the Mighties set off down the hill for the second time, and soon they were into their typical style of stuff it up the jumper rugby (where there was room). This was epitomised by one early run by Mitchell J which was a cross between a ten pin ball and the massive stone one from the opening scenes of Indiana Jones, stopped incredibly by a tap tackle which, somehow, derailed him.

The addition of some fresh legs out wide, through Paul Pritchard and Spence A (a welcome sight and like a kid in sweetie shop as he got a injury free scamper in fun conditions) was complimentary to the now well oiled forwards, the joint creaking and lung gasping of the first half behind them.

Cunzie crashed over for a beaut after sustained play, Spence A put in Pritchard for a second, before debutant Murray Aitken scampered in for a 3rd again after sustained plat to bring some respectablity to the score line.

Great to see the Spences in harness, Cunzie back in the frame and the Mitchells and Pudsey strong as always. For the 2nds some excellent handling and letting the ball do the work, with Sax calling the tune, and the Red Arrow showing his paces.

Massey Ferguson got out of first gear and promptly did a hammy, but other than that great to see some 80 players turn out for HRFC on Saturday, which should see the 2nds and 3rds honour fixtures for the rest of the season.

Thanks also to Clarky for his usual tip top, go with the flow refereeing, including his empathy with the half time switch.

Rugby the winner

KW

* 12 seasons is but a small slice of a career.