The Mighty 3rds 0 CYM (Dublin) 10.

History was prolonged on Saturday with the thoroughly welcome return of our old friends from Dublin, CYM.

After a gap of six years on this leg of what is the oldest surviving Scotland v Ireland club fixture, dating back to 1949, full and robust restoration took place on all fronts.

In fine, if a tad cool, conditions the 3rds kicked off down the hill, but CYM were clearly well rested after more than 8 hours of sitting peacefully on boat and bus, and started with a real bang.

The 3rds started with a whimper struggling with various physical and mental issues including rust; rigor mortis, gout, gravity, depravity, dementia, statin deficiency, pacemaker misfires, agoraphobia, the warm up, all of the foregoing.

It was therefore no surprise that CYM shot into the lead with tries by Brian O’Driscoll and Tommy Bowe. Indeed with many of the CYM team being almost young enough to be Grandson’s of the 3rds (DNA testing is forbidden on tour) a mismatch was on the cards. Lynch at 10 was running the show and Cruddas at 4 was running a book, whilst Whelan in a borrowed gumshield wished he was running a bath.

However the Mighties fought their way back getting hold of the ball and refusing to let go for long periods, helped by the appearance of Mo to do some mowing. As a resulti the remaining 50 minutes were what Pudsy the captain and man of few words, described in his post match speech with amazing brevity and accuracy as “even”. Pleasingly, in a fiercesome tussle with some fine rugby played, it lacked any of the structure which shackles too much of the modern game.

Highlights included the normally mild mannered Keith Dickson’s judo throw on his obstructor, and a very freak of nature which appeared to see Neilson Park turn into a ploughed tattie field every time the thirds tried a kick and chase, with the Irish in their element skipping back and the heavy tractors of the home side ploughing a slow furrow.

Best for the homesters were Pudsy, Mitchy, Scottys M and B, Jamesie and the Prince, who became the first Kurd to appear in the fixture.

For CYM a real team effort, well done.

Man of the Match Gordon Foggo Bathgate Esq, one of the restorers of the fixture in 1987, since when he has only missed one game, who showed fantastic spirit in playing, at a very advanced age, what was only his third game of the decade, all of which have been against CYM.

The game was ably reffed by our own Ian Clark, and the 3rds are chipping in to have his book “Neutral reffing by a homer” translated into braille for Alan Egan.

The remaining part of the fixture was conducted in the Clubhouse where the two captains fought out the Marathon, with Pudsy evening the score, before he narrowly lost the Modern Pietathlon thus handing the Friendship Cup to CYM for a short and rare holiday in Dublin.

The evening was a top example of the fellowship of rugby football as the Friendship Cup was supped from, old acquaintances renewed, new ones made.

The biggest pot of chilli ever seen disappeared at great speed, which was surprising until it was confirmed that the mince came from Tesco. A European cheese mountain vanished soon after, followed by a beer lake.

There were lots of laughs.

There were lots of drinks.

There were lots of songs.

There were lots of carrots.

We will be back to get the borrowed cup back next year, and promise to bring a bottle of Port to Luke’s forthcoming wedding if he lets us watch.

Rugby was the winner