Sat 28 Sep 2024
Wellington RFC 2nds v Weston-super-Mare RFC
United Saturday 28 September 2024, KO 15:00
Fifty five, really they need me at fifty five, how things of changed, some of you young fellas need to take a look at yourselves. Happy to spend Saturday afternoons at the club drinking piss, the piss tastes better if you make the effort believe me, you know who you are.
I’m not feeling the may west having spent Friday evening consuming Neck Oil with Mark Philp and 20 other fine gentlemen. I’m now sat in the dressing room at Wellington having contributed financially to todays game, stopping and buy new boots having previously left mine intentionally in Malta at the end of tour, mentally not spending enough time with the lovely Yvonne and soon to be physically if they move me off the bench onto the field of play.
Having spent 20 mins pulling on various layers of neoprene, nylon socks, new boots and all secured with layers of insulation tape I find myself in a moment of calm and almost pain free
Congratulations to Ollie Marshall, 17, and making his debut for the United. ⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗⊗
The above paragraph has been redacted, something to do with the Equality Act, protected characteristics and bring the club into disrepute. I thought is was funny but you’ll never know, I’m sure it would have been ok a few years ago when only men could buy Yorkie Bars.
Here’s something for every one:-
Louisiana Red Bean Rice
1 red onion
2 cloves of garlic
275g of rinsed and dry long grain rice
400g of frozen mixed vegetables
400g can of red kidney beans in chilli sauce
1 tsp Cajun seasoning
500ml boiling vegetable stock
Salt & pepper Spray a large nonstick pan and fry the diced onion and garlic until golden.
Stir in the rice, vegetables, kidney beans Cajun seasoning and stock. Add salt & pepper and bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat stand for 10-12 minutes, fluff with a fork, it’s ready to go.
This is not a normal United, I’m in it, but chasing just behind is Gav Simpson, skipper today and Alec Hughes top men with big hearts, both ready to support. Not to mention the ever present Steve Donegan and Jon Richards in the boiler, this is Jurassic Pack all over again, refer to Wiveliscombe v United at least 10 years ago and an awful case of lime testicle.
We win the toss and elect to run down hill in the first half. Its not long and we are in full action, loads of pressure and 6 mins in Gav Simpson benefits from and push over try and with Sam Garrett collecting the extras we’re 0-7 to the good
Wellington fielding a younger side, it would have been hard not to, respond well and score out wide, 12 mins played and 5-7
The United are still in control and Garrett having a great game leading the charge breaks, scores and collects the extras, 15 mins 5-14.
We’re playing well and in control when 15, Sam Hedges, goes to ground. It’s not looking great and Sam’s dislocated his shoulder and bravely leaves the field, Darren Burns joins the fray. Wellington take advantage of the confusion and 23 mins score again, collecting the extras and it’s 12-14.
United rally from the KO, pressure tells and the dominant scrum provides further points for Simpson, 30 mins 12-19.
Wellington respond, scoring and converting twice with treatment required to Alec Hughes and Nick Hawkin, the later replaced by Ollie Marshall, mentioned above, on 42 mins the half extended.
Half Time Wellington 26 - 19 United.
During the interval Mark Young is replaced by Adam Lee and Mark takes Sam H to hospital, top bloke, even with a slight concussion, anyone know if they made it?
The second half kicks off and the United have some work to do. It doesn't start well and the rising Wellington are in for a third on the bounce, 33 -19.
Not really sure what happened after minute the 2nd minute, Gav was rolling around doing a tumble dryer impression with his hands, I looked around and there was nobody else left on the bench, I was thinking a 2 minute cameo, but clearly that wasn’t happening. The next 38 minutes are a blur and I’m sat writing this on Monday evening still not sure it my right hip is the one I was born with.
Something was working though as the United battled up the hill Huw M at scrum half saw the gap and darted over for his fist United try, Garrett collecting the extras. 33 - 26.
There was more to come and with forward dominance the pick and goooos were doing well and Hudson, with a black belt on Origami and a love for dumplings stole through and Garrett’s boot gave us parity, 33-33.
Had the final whistle blown now most would have taken the result but, there were 10 mins to play and Wellington had the finish, crossing three times to the joy of the crowd.
Full time, Wellington 52 - 33 United
It’s tough this year in the United, wonderful that seniors players pulled kit on, terrific attitude and heads stayed up to the end, lovely to see youth, Ollie M coming through with an exceptional try saving tackle but nonetheless disappointing to get another “L”
Thank you to Wellington our hosts for such a lively game.
United, training and responsibility are the way forward, it’s clear that the skills are there, great to get in put from Sam Garrett and Nick Hawkin, as a senior member of the team has much to offer, but look to your peers and grow the team.
From my perspective and, I should never have been on the pitch, it was a pleasure. A pleasure to scrum with Rob Blackborow again and Gareth R-E for the first time. To share the pitch with colts I had trained Ethan Horn and the likes of Ollie on his debut. A pleasure to put a finger up to younger props in the Wellington team and not take a step backwards, wonderful to receive and carry a pass from my youngest Huw.
But, beyond all of this the simple pleasure of pulling on the shirt, looking at our badge and knowing once more what Saturdays were made for is beyond compare. Love your RUGBY it won’t last forever.
Backs Huw Matthews, Tom Blyth, Nick Hawkin, Sam Hedges, Sam Garrett, Mark Young, Ethan Horn
Forwards Steve Donegan, Gareth Rees-Ellis, Rob Blackborrow, Simon Hudson, Alec Hughes, Jamie Meadan, Gavin Simpson, Jon Richardson
Reps (all used) Mark Matthews, Ollie Marshall, Adam Lee, Darren Burns
Mark Mongo Matthew
