Bill Bryson in his latest book made the observation – “The worst thing about ageing is the realisation that all your future is downhill. Bad as I am today, I’m pretty much tip top compared with what I am going to be next week or the week after. I recently realised with dismay that I am even too old now for early onset dementia. Any dementia I get will be right on time.” How right he is.
So on the down side my memory is progressively fading, but on the up side I don’t get to dwell on another bitterly disappointing result. From what I regrettably remember it was a pretty bewildering performance, but again, that might just be me.
A lot of years ago, when I was at Pontefract and before it was acceptable to select people who had taken the Kings shilling, A N Other used to play in a number of away fixtures for the lower sides. He went crackers if anyone tried to run the ball in their own half. He insisted that rugby was only played in the opposition half and if you were kicking the ball you kicked it into touch or into space but definitely not near anyone on the other side (the laws have changed and I think you could kick the ball out on full, that’s assuming memory serves, of course). Simple and obvious. We ought to try it.
After the first 15 minutes, when we finally realised we were playing into a strong wind, tactics were adopted that allowed us to play to our strengths. The forwards did a sterling job, with new recruit Joe Maud particularly effective, and they got their just desserts with a try, though many were surprised how quickly Sir went to the posts to award a penalty try.
Esher got back into the game with a bit of good fortune. Had not the chasers lost their footing following up a clearance kick, they would have nailed the fullback before he was able to slip away to set up the winger for a run to the line.
Hard work from all the team re-established a lead before half time, it was a really good effort to be in front playing against the elements.
Things got even better when the pack set Joe Allott up to score under the posts; 19 – 5 up and well worth the lead. It went pear shaped from here on. I can’t imagine we were intimidated by the couple of outbreaks of foul play and retaliation, but Esher certainly lifted their game for the final 20 minutes and we played into their hands.
Both their wingers offered a threat, particularly the TV star and male model who scored a brace of tries to win the game, and we gave them every opportunity. I can’t remember us using the wind once in the second half to pin Esher back in their own half, but as I say my memory isn’t what it was.