We’re back, the 2011 season and our 50th Anniversary year has begun! New venue, new kit, new Captain and a new team (well almost, we still have a sprinkling of fossils trying to slow the game down). Unfortunately it’s the same old BM and it’s time to stock the fridge. As is tradition the season [...]
TRFC - YES MATE - Great support for the 1st game of 2011 in Warwick Academy
We’re back, the 2011 season and our 50th Anniversary year has begun! New venue, new kit, new Captain and a new team (well almost, we still have a sprinkling of fossils trying to slow the game down). Unfortunately it’s the same old BM and it’s time to stock the fridge.
New venue, new kit, new Captain and a new team !!
As is tradition the season starts with the Sandys Boat Club Tournament when we play all teams in half hour games. TRFC had Police in the first game and we found ourselves behind early as they kicked two penalties. Police kept the score for 29 ½ minutes but then with the final play of the game Scott who had been in a depressed state up until that point mourning the Aussie defeat to Ireland ploughed over from 10 yards out. Dave Porter kept his nerve and kicked the conversion to steal the victory away from the Po Po. The BM cannot recall all the details from such a long day but the first game was notable for our poor passing. Puppy was certainly guilty but the fact that he is actually passing it at all is to be applauded so I am not going to fine him.
Jack on the other hand will not be so fortunate. Jack was a member of a select group that was flown all expenses paid to the Serevi 7’s Camp this summer where he tells me he spent literally hours a day practicing his passing. Jack, Mr. Serevi or the BRFU Treasurer for that matter, would not have been too happy with their investment had they watched your pass to the 6’2” Patrick sail 4’ over him straight into touch. In fairness Jack got better and better as the tournament progressed but for that shocker you can get the first case of the year. Congratulations!
Master Paddison avoided a fine......
Mr. Paddison I am putting your grubber down to the side effects of taking steroids but please be aware that it was noted and we don’t want to see any more of it. Onto the Gades. Having spent a full 30 minutes in retirement Harry Andrews played in this one. It was a pretty one-sided affair with TRFC finding holes all over the park. Henry scored the opener. Nails got the second after a nice run from Tank and Puppy got the third. That was all in the first half. I know Porter was the beneficiary of the tight 5’s hard work with a pushover try but I cannot remember how much we added to the scores in the second half but we did make a handful of changes and new boys Coleman, Mike and Chris made debuts for the club. That means only one thing. Beer! Because this wasn’t a full 1st XV game then I won’t fine you a full case, you three need to bring 12 beers each to training this week please. Nails your fluffed drop out is going to cost you too, the fact that Renegades fell for your cheeky drop out a second time does not redeem you, you can bring a case.
The final game by coincidence turned out to be a final, bringing TRFC and Mariners together as the two undefeated teams. Mariners have picked up a couple of useful new half backs who steered their heavy pack int
Great game Puppy .........
o good positions, they got two early penalties and then scored from a catch and drive at a line out to lead 13-0 at the half.
Midway through the 2nd half Mariners kicked long but good work from Jack and then Puppy released Andre Landy for a sweet try on the left wing which Pup then converted. Teachers then piled on the pressure and when Puppy again popped up off Porter’s shoulder to scythe through close to the posts with only minutes left on the clock we thought we’d won the tournament. (Assuming we would make the conversion). This is where the controversy began. While TRFC players and supports celebrated the Ref disallowed the try. Puppy had dived untouched into the try area then bounced to his feet, throwing the ball high into the air to celebrate. The Ref deemed Puppy not to have grounded the ball. This seemed a strange decision considering Pup wasn’t trying to play cute and grab a few extra yards towards the posts and that there was absolutely no contact with the opposition who may have tried to hold him up. All very bizarre and as you may appreciate this did not go down very well with the players or large TRFC support. The game ended shortly afterwards and there was definitely a feeling of being robbed.
Support was great but Dessie did get a bit boring.....
Despite this sour end to the day a lot of positives can be taken from our performances. Three and a half cases of beer to be exact. The lads played well, obviously a little rusty but our youthful Backs have a real bite to their play now, the pack matched everyone in every facet bar the Mariners driving maul. Our squad is big and healthy and if you were to pick out two players whose games have improved massively over the off season you would have to say its Big T and Jack. Maybe Waisele Serevi does know a thing or two after all. Renegades this weekend. Denton Hurdle game the following week. Lots of competition for places. See you all at training. BM
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