NGC VETS CENTENARY SEASON

With this being our Centenary season games against our near neighbours Cheltenham and Stroud were arranged as well as a memorial day game on remembrance Sunday to commerate all those people that have been involved with local rugby over the past 100 years, but first off was a trip to Spartans for a 50th birthday celebration for the legendary “Concord”. The stand-out moment of the day had to be “Conk” going the length of the field to score under the post after two “pitcky-poles” wearing only boots and socks and a lime green mankeenee. If ever there was something you wanted to scare the kids with, a picture of this man would surely “fit the bill”. It was a good afternoon’s rugby played in beautiful sunshine followed by a great evening back at the club courtesy of music from Rob Hudson with his disco.
So Sunday Nov 11th was the date of our memorial game which was against Old Cents at the “Stade de bridge” as Steve Preece reminds me. A very good turn-out in numbers from both sides with a fine afternoon of rugby played which I’m sure Adey Stephenson told me ended up as a draw, followed by a very social evening in the clubhouse with the karaoke machine in great demand especially by the Coney Hill boys, the Lock brothers.
Next off was the Cheltenham game which was hosted by Chosen Hill. Not a good day at the office for us as we went down by 12 tries to eight. On the plus side it was good to see former Spartans back row forward Steve Grogan making his debut as well as crossing for a couple of tries, one of which was from our kick-off which he chased, then caught and proceeded to the try line showing a clean pair of heels, as well as Pinkers (Rob) going over for a hat-trick.
Unfortunately the Stroud game was cancelled as the visitors were unable to raise a side. At the time of print we are still awaiting confirmation of our final fixture but during the summer we will be trying our hand at something different. In July we hope to be playing cricket against Glos City at the Spa, then on September 2nd we will be participating in a bowls match against Winget, who are also celebrating their centenary. Some of you may well wonder about the bowls but I’m well assured that they drink as much as if not more than rugby players as they have been known to have a tipple between “ends”, see I have even learnt the “jargon”.
Also to mark the centenary we have invested in a new set of shirts, light blue and dark blue stripes with a picture of the cathedral on the front, designed by John Hudson which I must say are very nice but do look rather tight on some of the larger fellows such as Goody, Smarty and Ninny, but do fit Bebbs and Mac very nicely
Once again, thanks to our loyal committee who have supported us so well during the campaign, Linda, Martin, Stuart as well as Steve Collier for arranging our fixtures and to our sponsors Worthington Molson Coors.
To find out more about any of our events please take a look at the website www.northgloucestercombination@pitchero where all the details will be posted as well as some pictures from some of our recent games not only on the field but in the bar afterwards.
Finally, best of luck to all sides competing today, but most importantly keep supporting local rugby!

Cheers Dave Booth (Vets Team Manager)