Old Habs 3rd XV vs Belsize Park Bulls

12.15 and it’s quiet in the changing room at Croxdale Road. Not the air of anticipation and players enveloped in their own thoughts but rather waiting for the Team to arrive. One by one this great group materialise and meander out to the pitch. Belsize have been out there for at least half an hour. Its cold and windy, but the track is perfect. After some discussion as to where the OH resources will be deployed, back row in the centre etc and a serious examination of studs by the referee OH kick off into the wind up the slope infront of the wind buffeted, black clad supporter.

Despite numerical advantage the OH fierce first up tackling stops any of the Belsize attacks. Ping pong in the middle of the park. A wise, very old, head realises that the wind will take the ball a long long way and rather than needlessly burn energy keeping up with play patrols the OH 22. Sure enough the ball comes his way and totally on his own sets off up the hill. At least 50 metres, or more, later he’s brought down, ball is perfectly set back for the backs to scamper over for the try. First score to OH. Shortly afterwards Belsize grab a cheeky intercept try. OH back on the attack and the backs execute perfect 2 on 1 to score under the posts. Conversion missed HT 10-5.

From the Belsize Park kick off Tom gathers and gallops half the length of the field to score with the extras added. 17-5. Belsize come back and with OH refusing to use the wind to kick the ball out of their own half score twice. 17-15. OH settle once more and a great score out on the touch line. Whittaker defying the elements and age slots over - 24-15. OH are holding their own in the scrum (just) but BP manage to score once more. A small statistic for the curious, the front row average age was higher than the combined age of the second row. OH hold out to win 24-20 despite losing Mo to a sniper hamstring for the last 10 minutes. Honed athletes in the cold!! Get well soon.

This set the tone for the rest of the day with the 2nds coming from behind to vanquish Hammersmith and Fulham and the 1stXV beating Eton Manor away. A very satisfactory game , and in Captain Mike Davis words, “nothing beats coming off the park with a win and knowing you’ve given 100%”.