Weston-super-Mare RFC

Cheddar RFC v Weston-super-Mare RFC United

Saturday 10 October 2024, KO 14:30

Pre-match preparation went a little wrong, I cooked up a batch of fantastic, if a little hot, chicken wings, accompanied by savoury rice, see Wellington away, and then managed to rub chilli in my eye.There was only one thing for it, pub. Met Colin Yogi Bear Blyth who must of thought they were banning beer on Saturday. Left pub circa midnight following to many pints and to many whisky chasers. It was going horribly wrong has I drunkly consumed more wings and rubbed more chilli into my eye. At least I had a good nights sleep which is more than can be said for Yvonne who felt she was next to an industrial saw mill all night.

Not to far to drive this Saturday, we’re away to Cheddar and now desperate for a W and a return to the Rec with smiles on our faces. Some early confusion at the Rec with Josh Cook going missing just as we’re about to leave. Found out later he’d left his manscaping gear at home including is scrotum crease wrinkle cream applicator and pubic thatch blower, apparently backs don’t like to share their body grooming kit during their post match pre-evening preparation session, what would I know, forwards are already in the bar.

There’s some reorganisation needed in the team with Ethan Horn now starting at full back and with Jake Whatley sick with the Covid (is that still a thing, who tests?) Ryan Donegan in to start. Also a welcome to Rhodri Williams in the 7 shirt making his debut for the United. Rhodri is a recent find for the club and the lively flanker with druid heritage spends his time professionally shepherding Muntjac Deer on Steep Holm whilst in his spare time is an avid apiarist and enjoys rum tasting and rolling rough shag.

The atmosphere at Cheddar is great, nice bit of banter and discussion around the game and the re-organisation seen as positive. Ryan Donegan being the only distraction hunting for a stud spanner and leaving the rest of us wondering if he’s qualified to use it.

United enjoy a relaxed warm up trying to replicate the approach to last weeks game against Bridgwater which has been the best performance so far. It’s seasonally warmer than expected but the Mendips are looking glorious in the autumn sunshine.

KO and United have elected to kick, compete well but it’s Cheddar take an early initiative and win a penalty deep in the United half. The kick is missed and all remains level. From the 22 re-start the United come back strong, secure ball and start to implement back moves releasing Sam Garrett, 7 mins, who is across the line out wide the extras are missed.

Cheddar 0-5 United

It’s more United from the re-start and this time it is Mark Walker following up a crashing carry from Sam Light that crosses the line at the base of a driving maul, 13 mins and Garrett is accurate with the boot collecting the extras.

Cheddar 0 -12 United

He backs continue the experiment and any early doubters have bought into the process and it’s clear to see the intention is to release the wings. Wingers Cook and Hawken are loving the attention and on 19 mins Cook loses the last defender and his arcing run ends under the posts for an easy conversion for Garrett.

Cheddar 0-19 United

Cheddar are fighting back and heads are high, 28 mins, high tackle from Cook results in a yellow card and the United are under unnecessary pressure. Cheddar’s offensive continues but the United are working well in defence eventually turning the ball over and clearing their lines to release the pressure. The initiative is back with the United 35 mins and Walker released by Burns is in for his second again Garrett remains accurate with the conversion.

Cheddar 0 - 26 United

Cook is back on and the United return to full strength. Huw Matthews is organising the backs well at 10 and to everyone’s surprise moves are being called confidently 35 mins plus into the game. Sam Garrett is the pick of the backs but the forwards are giving them the platform they need. Williams is fully involved on his debut but the pick of the forwards is Sam Light.

It’s halftime,50 mins played following a little stoppage time the boys are breathing heavy, thank goodness we KO early. The boys are feeling it but in control with a dominant scrum and need to return to basics and continue to play as a team for the second half.

Half Time

Cheddar RFC 0-26 Weston United.

One change at half time with Ethan Horn coming off, some attention needed to the hand following a good first half and two crunching tackles in defence, and Ollie Marshall can’t wait to get involved. He didn’t need to wait long and to Cheddar’s surprise, what they though was a small boy joining on the wing, he soon showed what he was capable of and the elusive winger hit hard and proved elusive for many.

Hawken is having a fine game on the wing, the change from centre is working well for him and he’s hungry to get ball in hand. A bruising charge on the wing breaking three tackles sees him pulled down high and a yellow for Cheddar.

Simon Po Hudson on for Donny Jr who is improving each week, 45 mins. Backs still running moves into the second half but fumbling and poor hands letting them down but the desire is there to attack, training, training, training is the answer I think the message is starting to sink in but numbers on Tuesday and Thursday can only tell the real story. Despite the man advantage is not working for the United and 49 mins Cheddar are rewarded, punishing the United.

Cheddar 5 - 26 United

A series of replacements, 53 Mins Ollie Martin on for Burns, 56 mins Ethan Westlake on for Tom Wheatley. It’s worth noting Rich Frost and Rob Blackborrow are putting in a shift and securing plenty of line out ball, with the United scrum also dominant. Wheatley has lead well from the front together with the ever vocal Harry “Glorious 5 year plan, Sputnik, Hammer & Sickle, Narrowed Eyed Hungarian” Nash.

Rowan Bird is equipping himself well at scrum half and like all good 9’s as touch to much to say like an annoying Jack Russell, well I’m sure that’s what the Cheddar 6 will tell you. Anyway it’s all got a bit much, 61 mins, an off the ball incident and the red card is out, Cheddar are a man down for the final 19 mins

70 mins Hawken is off Clayton Dorrington is on at 10, Matthews to 12 and Garrett to wing. The second half has been a drought for the United despite remaining in control, final passes are not going to hand and a number of scoring opportunities missed. 73 mins and as we move into the twilight of the game the leading Light is Sam as he crosses for a well deserved try.

Cheddar 5 - 31 United.

Time for Tom Wheatly to rejoin the fray 75 mins and Nash drops off, well done both and its fulltime.

Full Time Cheddar RFC 5 - 31 Weston United

A big thank you to our hosts Cheddar RFC we look forward to hosting you at the Rec later in the season.

For the United, a sense of relief, smiles and all having enjoyed the game and the first win of the season. In today’s society there is at times an expectation for things to just work and be correct from the start, give up and do something different if not, everything is disposable. Sport doesn’t conform to this, hasn’t ever and never will, it’s got to be worked at, practiced, developed as an individuals and a team. Skill level only increases with practice together with trust and understanding in each other as team.

We have a tough fixture next Friday against our local rivals Hornets, enjoy tonight, enjoy the beer but let’s not simply accept the win but rather push, try harder and make those final passes stick, the pick and go fluid with support and the set pieces automatic as one unit, breathing and working together.

Backs Rowan Bird, Huw Matthews, Josh Cook, Sam Garrett, Darren Burns, Nick Hawken, Ethan Horn

Forwards Ryan Donegan, Tom Wheatly, Harry Nash, Sam Light, Rich Frost, Rob Blackborrow, Rhodri Williams, Mark Walker

Reps (all used) Ethan Westlake, Oliver Martin, Simon Hudson, Clayton Dorrington, Ollie Marshall

Mark Mongo Matthews