Pre-Match Build Up
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It has been a long time between games.
Long enough, it seems, for the 3s to forget the arctic hammering they experienced at the start of December at Christleton.
(although quite a number of us have unscrupulously played for the 2s at Littleborough and Trafford MV).
Today, all 3 Sefton Mens teams were playing at home.
A very rare occasion.
How were we all going to fit in the Bar afterwards with 6 teams and supporters?
More to the point, who was going to be last in the (cold) showers?
To the 3 Sefton Captain’s credit, all 3 teams had enough players, with the rare luxury of substitutes.
To West Parks 3’s credit, they looked to have enough players, given their 2s weren’t playing today.
The Warm Up
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The 3s had got caught up with the 1s and 2s enthusiasm before the game, deciding to get changed really early.
This, of course, had them floundering 15 minutes before kickoff, with nothing to do.
(The 3s warm up basically involves the lads introducing themselves to each other, the establishment of starting positions, and the drinking of all the water).
Captain Campo looked wistfully at the 1s and 2s expertly warming up and decided that the 3s game should be started early.
The unfamiliar looking West Park side (who had a familiar number of players in the squad we faced at theirs in September, 25) were up for a quick kick off too.
A Good Toss to Lose
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With West Park calling correctly, they decided to receive the ball. Sefton were given the choice of direction.
Captain Campo looked longingly at the clear blue skys and ultra bright sun, and decided to run with the sun on their backs, figuring that it’ll probably be raining in the second half.
Poor West Park really struggled with the blinding glare and the first half was riddled with scrums.
Unfortunately, this wasn’t enough to stop them running in 4 unanswered tries in that period.
Fortunately, those 4 tries were enough for West Park’s better players, who decided the result was in the bag.
The Turning Point
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Half Time.
The sun went behind some clouds, and Sefton were able to open their eyes and attack the West Park line.
West Park’s first half lead was enough for them to put their shittier players on, and the game was nice and even.
Sefton’s only try was scored after endless, relentless pressure, where it looked like even the ref finally wanted them to score.
The Try
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I don’t normally write about such trivial, unrelated things, but Sefton’s Try today was scored by none other than the aging stalwart, specialist second rower Dobie.
One can only have admiration for Dobie’s persistence in turning up every week, and being happy playing in the backgound, when others play up front.
Those of you who know Dobie (does anyone actually know his first name?), will understand the reMARKability of his Try.
For Dobie, you see, is on the Sefton list of “Those You Shouldn’t Pass To”.
To say that The Try was a mistake may be a bit harsh, but there was a hint of bad timing, bad passing, and a lot of luck….
Sefton had been pegging West Park on their try line, we just kept pounding away, but couldn’t finish off.
Admittedly, our one-out attacking strategy was fairly easy to contain, and West Park seemed comfortable enough.
But, 2 metres from the line, we have a ruck, and Blandie is amply filling in at 9.
The ball comes out, Blandie blindly throws to the awaiting Pascoe at 10… BUT there is Dobie running through, on a DUMMY RUN! The ball gets wedged in his stomach, and he’s over the line.
It was truly a miracle and showed that second rowers can get involved, second rowers aren’t just dummy runners, and second row isn’t just for guys who don’t know a thing about rugby, and are slow.
The Altercation
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It was soon apparent that some of the Park players were unused to the tackling style required in Rugby Union.
In Rugby Union, arms are meant to be used in the tackles, rather than just shoulders.
Ther ref was pretty well on top of things, but our Brian wasn’t very happy.
He was finally tipped over the edge when he was on the end of it though, and his shouting was heard from afar.
Brian boisterously expressed his feelings, and Goulding nodded in agreement.
There was such a commotion that West Park’s Man Bun actually got his hair tie broken, causing a major malfunction.
(Fortunately Park had an instant, almost like for like replacement, whose hair was in perfect shape).
Amoungst the kerfuffle, Sefton’s Sean Muirhead was seen sprinting into the fracus, attempting a Tom James impersonation.
Man of the Match on Debut
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Congratulations to young Philip Walsh, who was outstanding, and thoroughly deserved the “Debut Man of the Match” Award.
Young Phil, the proud son of mother Amanda, played the whole game on the wing, and showed that wingers can get involved, wingers can tackle, wingers can catch, and wing isn’t just for guys who don’t know a thing about rugby.
(Brendo – I hope you were watching, from the other wing).
The other debutante today was not-so-young Mark, who hails from Ireland.
Limerick actually.
For the brief 10 minutes that Mark played, Captain Campo looked on regretfully, thinking of a start for a poem:
There was a big old boy called Mark,
Who struggled to get round the park…
Man of the Match Not on Debut
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Within the proper team, Steve Teale was a standout today, tackling like a demon.
Steve was the only guy that went low, and that was the only way to stop the rampaging Park forwards.
It is amazing though, how a bloke of Steve’s age can get around the pitch so well.
Its like he’s slept for 20 years….
Post Game Relief: The Showers
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As cuningly planned, the 3s game finished first, and we had the luxury of the hot showers to ourselves, taking our time until the pressure and heat started to dissipate.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t shower with young Anthony Hawksford, who had cried off early in the game, feeling dizzy. No one knows what happened to him. Or young Philip Walsh (maybe his mum is still washing him?).
Post Game Relief: The Bar
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There was some concern beforehand, how 6 Mens Teams were going to fit into the Sefton Bar.
6 Teams that included a sizeable West Park 3s squad of over 25 players, with travelling spectators.
6 Teams that included our local neighbours, Collegiate 2s, who don’t have far to travel.
But, amazingly, both the West Parkians and Collegiatians failed to materialise after their showers.
Rumour had it that some didn’t even bother with a shower, such was their haste.
It seemed a shame that their complimentary jugs of beer would go to waste….
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