25/03 Weekend breaks in winter – rugby style!
March 24, 2010
Since my last programme piece we have had two games. Firstly a big, satisfactory home win (90-5) against a gutsy but out classed Manchester side. Secondly a very typically, hard fought contest away against Cinderford which saw us lose (29-13) and be reduced to 14 men when Chris Rowland saw red in the dying minutes of the first half.
I was going to try and inject some humour into my article this week, but Tom Fidler said that I had to make it inspiring. He looks forward to my (very occasional) team chats because it sends him out with real purpose and a spring in his step!
There is something to be admired at the way that the Manchester team have approached this season. They themselves must have realised very early on (and the rest of the league soon had an idea following their 148-0 loss to Esher on day one) what was in store for this season. Yet they have fielded a side every week, when many said that they would fold before Christmas. They play for the full 80 minutes and play for each other. Off the field the players and coaches seem to enjoy each other’s company and remain together at all stages. Building a team takes time. You cannot build a winning team until you have built a team – Manchester have a team and if they stay together they, eventually, will become a winning team. I would love to be there when they win (whenever it is!)
One of the nice things about playing rugby in a National League is that you get to visit many of the great beauty spots this country has to offer. The down side is we get to visit them “out of season”. So we get to go to Cornwall, Northumberland, The Yorkshire Dales and, two weeks ago, “The Forest!”
Whilst these locations are miles apart, their passion for rugby is fierce and their supporters are as “one eyed” as any, always wanting their team to win. Their styles are similar; very physical, although the way that they deliver that physicality may differ! One thing is for sure, any team visiting these places know that if they come away with a win it will have been a hard fought and well deserved. They are difficult to beat at home. The crowd is very vocal from the moment “their boys” come out to warm up until the final whistle. If they get on top they stay on top and the crowd help maintain that momentum. If they are defending the crowd become that 16th man and make defending that bit easier.
On Saturday we welcome a Redruth side who are just above us in the league, having played one game more. When we visited the Duchy at the end of November they gave us a torrid time on a very wet Cornish afternoon. The home crowd filled the grandstand (not even the locals wanted to stand in the rain) and really got behind the home side and we were sent packing with our tails between our legs!
A great deal has happen, to both sides, since then. As a team we will be expecting another tough challenge but are resolved to put in a better performance than in November. Get behind the team and become our 16th man!
On a different note we wish Chris Ridgers a speedy recovery from his latest set back. Chris broke a metacarpal (finger to you and me) against Cinderford. Good news is that it does not require an operation so we are hoping Chris will be back for our last few games.
Finally, the 1st team are organising a 60/70’s theme disco which will take place following the home game against Stourbridge on Saturday 10th April. Entry will be free. Look out for posters and announcements on the website. The players and coaches wish this to be an opportunity to thank the supporters and all those involved in the club from parents of minis and juniors, colts, ladies to amateurs. A club like ours cannot and will not survive without people putting in a great deal of time and effort. The 1st team players DO appreciate this and feel that this is a chance for everyone to come together and celebrate!
Andy Widdop
1st XV Manager
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