3rd XV - Tourists
Matches
Sat 06 Oct 2012  ·  Bishops Finger
Westcombe Park Gents
26
27
Southwark Rugby
3rd XV - Tourists
Tries: I Routledge, S Fegan, D Nash, D Jardine, J Reid
Westcombe Park Gents 26- 27 Southwark III

Westcombe Park Gents 26- 27 Southwark III

Ian Routledge8 Oct 2012 - 11:04
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"If I had a tail it would have been wagging" by Sean Fegan

The tourists once again boarded a train bound for Kent, this time to the leafy suburb of Chelsfield and a good-natured match against Westombe Park Gents. With the sunny and dry conditions it was clear that the game-plan should be high paced expansive rugby. This game-plan was agreed at the pre-match huddle before being largely ignored for the following 80 minutes.

Some of the details from here on in are not necessarily in chronological order, nor for that matter are they necessarily accurate;

The match kicked off in front of a bumper crowd of nearly 15, the attendance number swelling due to the army of away support provided by Stu Buckley’s missus and family and Remy’s mates. And for those travelling fans the two train journey was immediately made worthwhile as Holy Fuck collected a clearance kick in his own 22 before setting off on a mazy run downfield. A few hip swivels later and he was placing the ball down for a try at the other end. A conservative count of 6 defenders was left in his wake either grasping at air or on the ground as he floated to the try-line.

Westcombe Park responded well and following the re-start went and set up camp in the Tourists half. There was a real sense of ‘round pegs in round holes’ when you looked at their forwards and their pack set about some grinding phase play resulting in an equalizing try out wide. The attritional forward play of the Gents was a theme that would endure for the remainder of the game.

The match continued as an evenly fought contest, with both teams looking to dictate the play and make the running. The Tourists however began to find their feet in the game with some powerful running from second rowers Yemi Abitogun and Matt Alderton together with some quick phases almost resulting in George Frewin crossing over to score, only to be denied by a quality last-ditch tackle from the oppo full-back. From the resulting scrum the Tourists continued to press and again though they had scored only for the referee to dis-allow their efforts for a supposed forward pass a yard from the try-line. The tourists however would not be denied their second try of the half and embarked on a move worthy of the description ‘Champagne Rugby’. The call of ‘Jardine Ball’ was made at a lineout. Javi Mendez expertly looped the ball over the jumping forwards into the hands of Dan J at the back. (It was a lovely straight off the training park kind of a set-piece that was very nearly sabotaged owing to Dan J grinning so absurdly at hearing ‘Jardine Ball’ that the oppo were alerted to the fact the ball was coming to him. In his own words ‘If I had a tail it would have been wagging’) nevertheless the ball eluded their players and upon receipt Dan set off on a barnstorming run which sucked in several defenders. Further phases followed, owed largely to the support and rucking efforts of Lewis Clarke and Gonzalo Corapi, with the ball touching almost every member of the team’s hands on its way to Captain Rambler who scored in the corner. Lovely Stuff. In the build up to the try, Josh Magara who was having a good game at open-side sustained an ankle injury and was replaced by Remy Vernege. Thankfully Josh was not too badly hurt and apparently secured a personal victory later in the showers in some kind of helicopter parlour game.

The tourists were on top and were looking good for victory; however Westcombe Park fought back and began to show some guile and experience in the set-piece. Their pack, aided by a hefty weigh advantage turned the screw and stole lineout ball in the tourists half. Ultimately they scored- I forget how. Irritatingly, Westcombe Park settled on this formula for the remainder of the match. The early expansive quick ball rugby was replaced by slow grinding ‘up the jumper’ type stuff. They scored again – I, once again, don’t remember how. Not so lovely stuff.

The tourists responded well and were rewarded just before half time for their efforts. A try for Dan J, who has already had a mention in this report and will therefore be receiving no further praise for the try. I’m sure several others probably did most of the work and he simply finished it off.
19-15 to Westcombe at half time.

The second half began, continued and ended as a series of scrums and line-outs for Westcombe Park, owing largely to knock-ons and penalty concessions from the tourists. The game was being played almost exclusively in the Tourist half and with tensions rising on the tourist side over the decision making of the referee, Stu Buckley looked to alleviate pressure and clear his lines with a questionably woeful kick out of hand. The prop’s efforts latterly earned him ‘Dick of the ‘Day’ despite his protestations that the kick would have been great ‘if the oppo hadn’t caught it’. Well the oppo did catch it and then returned it straight back into the Tourists 22 where they were awarded a penalty. The assembled crowd was suitably un-amazed that they opted for a scrum. They subsequently got a push on and ground their way over the line. I have never been in a scrum, I have no Idea really how they operate, and I have no understanding of the nuances involved. All I do know is that looking in from the wing, I did not want to be in that scrum. Our forwards all deserve praise for fronting up time and time again against a well drilled Westcombe Park pack. Given that many of our players were ‘out of position’ or still relatively new to the game they did exceptionally well in difficult circumstances and there was a debut for Bobby Cenlivre who knuckled down at flanker and did well. (Bobby was named later in the pub and cheerfully set about the new 2 pieces of clothing initiation process with alarming reverence- even waiting for a set of traffic lights to change before heading back to retrieve his clothes)

And so with time running out and trailing 26-15 the Tourists were facing the uphill task of having to come from behind. Suddenly Remy (awarded Man of the Match for his tackling and rucking) managed to strip the ball in a tackle and set off from within his own half for glory. Sadly he was caught but recycled the ball which found its way to Naill Flannery on the wing who was tackled high earning a penalty. A quick tap was taken and the backline marshaled by James Mulhair put the ball through the hands resulting in a try for myself right in the corner. The resulting conversion from the touchline was scored. 26-22 and game on.

The following kick off was collected by the Tourists who immediately made inroads into the Westcombe Park defence and gained good field position through some strong running. The forwards took to their task of driving the ball at the guts of the oppo and making ground. Then, cometh the hour, cometh the man and with time ebbing away, former home secretary John Reid sought and found redemption for his red card misdemeanor a fortnight ago with a sniping try around the fringes in the last minute.

The resulting kick off was put into touch to confirm a hard fought victory and a place at the top of the league table.

Other notable moments;
1) Lewis Clarke almost killing their fullback on a rampaging run.
2) Javi Mendez coming from a country mile around the ruck whilst screaming ‘the balls out’ only for the referee to disagree
3) Stu Buckley’s suggestion to the ref that even though the ‘he was clearly was one of them’ he had to give us some decisions or else ‘it would be too obvious’

Final Whistle. Westcombe Park Gents 26- 27 Southwark Lancers.

By Sean Fegan

Match details

Match date

Sat 06 Oct 2012

Kickoff

15:00

Competition

Bishops Finger
Team overview
Further reading

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