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The Jolly Boys Outing - Westcliff Part 2 - Scott Talbot Reports...

The Jolly Boys Outing - Westcliff Part 2 - Scott Talbot Reports...

Dom Benson21 Dec 2015 - 17:25
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What a day! I don`t know how much info the boys have filled you in on but, suffice to say, much fun was had by all & no one escaped a forfeit or two!

“Assume Your Position“ was called...

The squad assembled at 8am sharp outside the club at Twyford Ave where we met our luxury coach . This time round it was an all singing all dancing one which was actually clean & had things in it that actually worked , like TV/DVD , PA System & the all-important toilet ( No names mentioned from last year – George Lyons! )

After a few team photos with the boys standing behind “The Jolly Boys Outing“ banner, everyone boarded the coach to be presented with a Toy Soldier & told under No circumstances to lose their special gift. Plenty of questions were being asked regarding the gift but they were simply told all would be revealed later.

So off to Sarfend we went & the lads were immediately introduced to Lawrence once again. Lawrence is our Team Mascot who comes away with us & must be looked after All day by our youngest member of the touring party. That honour fell to Alan , who was briefed on the level of expectation required when we meant looked after All day! Everywhere Alan goes, Lawrence is to go with him – the changing rooms, warming up , the clubhouse, even on a toilet break, everywhere! Alan was allowed to place Lawrence on the side of the pitch for the match but that was the only time he was allowed to be without his new partner.

And I must say, Alan did a sterling job looking after Lawrence. Well done, mate.

Next on the agenda was the Quiz – 13 questions of varying difficulty with a couple of curve balls thrown in for good measure! The lads were split into groups of 2 & were asked to also come up with an imaginative Team name & also for a captain to be picked out of the 2 team members . The quiz went very well & it got their minds working nice & early. The Answers were to be revealed on the way back.

So, after a 1hr 30 minute journey we arrived at Westcliff RFC & the coach was unloaded. Whilst in the car park, Sgt Robb explained the point of being gifted the Toy Soldier – the point being that at any point through the day when the call “Assume Your Position“ was called you had to replicate the position of your very own Toy Soldier.

A dummy run was called to make sure everyone understood & it was hilarious to see Lad`s & Dad`s rolling around Westcliff`s Car Park acting out their various poses.

Of course, another photo opportunity.

So, onto the serious stuff & the real reason we were there – a game of Rugby.

After all the high jinks, the boys could possibly have been excused a slow start & a lack of concentration but strangely enough, quite the opposite ( amazing what Team Spirit can do ).

The match was split into 4 x 15minute mini matches to allow their big squad equal game time & quite simply, we tore them apart.

We were superb!

Every part of our game was spot on. In terms of numbers, we were once again down to the bare bones of 15 lads, but each & every person played their heart out. Some moments of individual brilliance but mostly our tries came from great teamwork. Which I have to say was particularly pleasing to see .

9 tries in total were scored .
0 conceded .

Jack Robb helped himself to 4 tries, Dylan bagged another hat-trick & Jago & George chipped in with one a piece too.

We also rubbed salt into the wound as far as the score goes with Luke converting 8 of those 9 tries including 2 from the touchline ( well over 30yds away ) in a high & swirling wind .

Final score 61-0

After the game we went into the clubhouse for Post-Match entertainment. Westcliff chose our Man of the Match & we chose theirs.

Jago Wilkes was chosen from our side & that decision was fully deserved, he had a great game. Well done, Jago!

Club Ties were exchanged & the drinking games began with the 2 recipients of the club ties going head to head in “The Boat Race“. Westcliff`s version of the Wasps snowball. I think Jago won that too!

We were also introduced to Archie , a lad who played for Westcliff RFC against us last season who has since been diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy. I found out about this beforehand & organised a Signed Wasps shirt to be presented to him , so it was great that he was able to be at the club to receive it in front of his family .

We then had our own mini court session with Luke Talbot & Hywel Pryer both being pulled up for offences & proclaimed as the very 1st Wasps “Cockerels“ of the day . Enough said!

“Assume your Positions“ was called again & Nick Pryer ( Dad ) was the last to hit the deck – meaning a forfeit for him now.

Sgt Robb was in his element & produced an item of clothing that will not be disclosed. This is one for Tour members only.

But, for me, it was the highlight of the day!

To see Nick Pryer strutting round the clubhouse in his new “Fancy Dress Outfit“ was brilliant & it suited him too. Well done Nick – great sport! ( And it was over his clothing )

( It might even make another appearance at the end of season do yet , so make sure you are on it! ) .

Back on the coach for the return leg home & we were firstly treated to a song from The Captain, Luke Talbot.

He absolutely murdered “Swing Low , Sweet Chariot“ but as always , he enjoyed the microphone. ( Can`t think where he gets that trait from! )

Luke might be able to play Rugby better than me , he might be better looking than me, but he certainly can`t sing like me!

Results of the quiz were given out & No prizes for guessing who won – you got it, Jago! ( Everything he touched turned to gold yesterday ). Luke was Jago`s partner for the quiz & as mentioned on the day, their prize for winning will be given out at the end of season do.

The quiz, however, was more about who lost rather than who won. A tie for last place between 2 teams with a pathetic score of 12 points was eventually judged to have been lost by Bob & Alan by virtue of their unimaginative Team Name.

As they had both proven to be a couple of Wallys for their rather poor results in the quiz, the captain had to take the hit & dress up for the rest of the journey home in the already prepared “Where`s Wally“ outfit.

Bob took one for his team & I think he quite enjoyed his new look.

Dice forfeits then took over & everyone copped something.

The best being Dylan being handcuffed to Jude whilst already having Josh sitting on his knee.

And we since found that 3 of them in one coach seat also makes a good photo!

The last ½ hour of the journey was a bit more subdued & we arrived back at Twyford Ave with everyone completely knackered.

All I can say is, it was an absolute pleasure to host such a fun day. Amongst the laughs & high jinks you boys played a pretty serious game of rugby & came out of with your heads held extremely high. Their coach actually saying that we were the best team they have ever played!

All the forfeits were done in the manner they were intended – fun , and the dad`s joined in on that part too!

Thanks to everyone for attending, thanks to Sam for his excellent coaching of the Team but probably the biggest Thank You of the day goes to our unsung hero – Sgt Robb who was very much involved with me with the organisation of “The Jolly Boys Outing“ Part 2.

Roll on next season for Part 3 & let`s try & get the whole squad to come – it is a bloody good laugh.

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