Why?

Of course I did not know Jonah Lomu personally, but it is clear he stood for so much of what rugby is all about and above all, despite being such a colossal figure in so many ways, he never appeared to lose humbleness in the way he conducted himself; we can perhaps all strive to be a Jonah.
Maybe that’s why.......

Such an event in rugby life and the furore of rugby commentary which ensues might leave us feeling particularly nonchalant from the game and indeed for me once quite pause to reflect had passed, it was replaced with a real appreciation to be able to be still continuing to play. Further, the privilege to skipper such a great Harrodian Vets side that are developing in to a sublime team makes the anticipation of match time ever so special.

However, as usual before match day there is much to be done!

Gus, (head of admin) was away in Poland on business, (apparently) and so admin went swimmingly well with no hitches and by Wednesday evening a full side of athletes was confirmed + Si Curran.

A quick word of Si.....
His consistent antics; for those of you who don’t know him think a blend or Kenny Everett and Granville from ‘Open all Hours’; had him see off the 2 pint Guinness dog bowl last Saturday. Mrs Curran has now grounded him after falling asleep at the dinner table a few hours later......amongst guests!

Friday came with the usual flurry of emails with the Occies needing a player or two and so a huge thanks to Nick Hamilton who ran out for our younger cousins.....much appreciated.

Fortunately I had washed the balls in the shower the week before but still the urge was there late Friday night to make sure they were all looking good, perfect shape and nice and clean, nothing worse than dirty balls on match day! Ken Macrae, the 1st XV Manager also makes sure he has clean balls for match day, but I have yet found out when he cleans them.......don’t think it’s in the shower....Ken?

Saturday 0630 hrs was sleet, snow, grey, windy and fairly inclement, but come 1400 hrs we had blue sky and sunshine, yet a biting wind; the warm up was much needed!

The oppo, in the shape of Old Cranleighans seemed uncomfortably relaxed in their warm up and that always leaves me feeling wary.
We received the kick off and OC’s followed up with some menacing intent, the wary feeling was justified as these boys meant business; you can just sense that a couple of minutes in. OC’s were very useful in the scrum and certainly a larger pack so there was no real mileage to be gained there. Likewise, in the lineout whilst we commanded our own ball they pretty much looked after theirs too! Big Al and Gibbo were immense though and when our lineout ball works, it looks great. Of course great darts from Ed too!
We used our lineout to good effect with a few driving mauls and at 10pm on a Sunday evening I reckon we scored a couple of tries off of them.........but don’t quote me!

What I know we did do well was continue to develop a style of play which enables us to keep the ball alive and well done to Frodo at 9 for a) turning up not as late as normal, b) shifting some useful ball and c) shouting loud enough to be heard by the Occies on the adjacent pitch! I later explained to the inquisitive Occies that our scouse 9 acquired his voice as being the childhood gang spotter......”Ohi!!! LADS....Police.....leg it!!!!”

On which point the only real crimes of the day were Deano constantly shoving the Ref (Ma’am) out of the way despite the fact she was wearing the brightest yellow shirt possible! And a resurgence of Jose’s nemesis....a bout of fury that lept out of him as ran all the way across the pitch to get involved in an off the ball scuffle.....quality!

Mind you tempers were frayed because OC’s would not lie down and we started to become frustrated after their second try took us to 17-10 ahead at half time......Skips had words at half time and the boys responded well with the right type of look in their eyes.
We resumed and started to take the game to OC’s with much greater intensity becoming more vocal and more determined in our moves. Phases of play unfolded with perfect interlinking between backs and forwards and some great lines of running.

Running five more tries in to OC’s one in the second half was pleasing and I salute OC’s for not once dropping their heads as they were very much in the game for more than the score margin does justice. What Harrodians has started to do is ‘believe’ and not wait 25 minutes to do so. What Harrodians must do more of is ‘believe’ and the first real test of that will be Esher next weekend!

Saturday celebrations were tempered as more Guinness was served to the boys for their efforts...3:2:1 went to Gibbo, Barney and Big Al all who had a cracking game. Nick Hamilton forgot that a Vet playing for another side was indeed a fine and of course Cris Pinni continues to wear his wife’s scarf to the Club and so Vice Captain Russ administered due fines!

A great day, a great win, a great opposition, a great game and of course a great No11....R.I.P Jonah Lomu.
Sleep peacefully people.
Skips/Finche
07774 254162

Tries: Marty x 2 and Si, Sean, Barney, Jose and Pins x 1
Cons: Barney x 2
The side was:

1 Marty
2 Ed Stott
3 Finch
4 Al
5 Rob Allen / Gibbo
6 Gibbo / Russ
7 Deano
8 Nicky B
9 Frodo / Lewis
10 Jayden
11 Jose / Si
12 Morgs
13 Russ / Jose
14 Pini
15 Barney
16 Si
17 Lewis