Ath Squeeze a Win

Our club motto is "Lude Probe - Lude Bene" (Play the game, and play it well), however this match can be consigned to Room 101 as Ludere Tempestate Perculsi Mutaverunt.

The medic started much the better and brighter team with probing attacks and hard running. The pre-match disruption, caused by unmarked pitches at Stoughton Road sports ground and a hasty relocation to The Park, seemed to affect The Ath and we were 12-0 down within the blink of an eye. Normally the Medics have a small pack, but very quick backs, however they had more bulk this time around and it took some time before the Ath pack saw things move into their favour at scrum time. The ref seemed to like scrums. And penalties. And more penalties. He didn't, however, like (or should I say see) some knock-ons, and The Ath benefited from this with a good probing attack down the right hand channel. Several Medics pulled up expecting a whistle, but The Ath played on and after a few phases close to the line Guillaume Altmeyer barged over to put Ath back on the scoreline - converted.

Unfortunately the Medics then found another hole in our back line and scored one more before the break. 17-7 to the Medics.

At half-time G got angry. Very angry. The normal deep voice hit some shrill high notes as the huddled players looked at their feet. Although there was nothing too great about the second half, the Ath players must have seen something in their feet that got them to pull their fingers out and play a bit. Following good hands along the line and a probing half-break in midfield, the ball was shipped out to Joe Cuthbertson who burrowed his way over for an unconverted try.

The final score game for an angry G-man, thrusting himself at the medics so often and so hard that the climax was inevitable. Jon has the money-shot on his "Extended Highlights" video for the purists to watch. The try was converted and the score sat at 17-19.

The final play saw the medics conceded yet another penalty, and G clarified with the ref that it was the last play. In accordance with the new laws, he tapped the ball before kicking it out so there was no need to play the lineout.

Final Score Medics 17 - Ath 19

The game was over, and everyone was glad.

The bar, however, took over well and did not end for a long, looong time. Dirty pints, jugs and jugs of beer, and far more Jaegermiesters than any group of people should live through disappeared, and for a couple of the guys re-appeared later that night/early the next day. What came back up looked better than some of the rugby, but we can now look forward to 2 home games and our official "Club Photo" being done this year by a proper professional photographer - please be at the Old Horse, in kit, for 12noon this Saturday. H Z B !