Sat 4 Jan 2025, 14:30
Saturday 4 January 2025, KO 14:30
I thought I would be starting with apologies again, travelling to Thornbury as a guest of Wards Solicitors to watch the 1st XV. It’s dirty work but someone’s got to do it. All set and ready to quaff Guinness the weather has beaten us and a frozen pitch cancels the game and I find myself at the Rec for the United’s fixture against Wellington.
It has, without doubt, been the worse start to a New Year at the club in my 30+ years as we all come to accept the sudden loss of our Head Coach Steve ‘Barrel” Worrall. With the sense of shock and loss the club moves forward a plays the game, Barrel would have wanted nothing less. Taken far to early I can only think that it is not the length of life that is important but rather the depth and what we create with the time we have. Reading the Club’s tribute to Barrel his life was full, family, career and sport. These are the big boulders that we base our lives around, the gaps are filled with the pebbles and sand that are the relationships we create with family, colleagues team mates and the energy we input in each. Reading the tributes and comments over these last few days it’s obvious that in Barrel’s case there were no gaps as club after club highlight the Barrel’s impact and this sits alongside his professional career and a loving family.
If you are ever in two minds whether to play rugby or not, or another aspect of life, don't be, challenge yourself and create the depth as we can’t control the time we have.
The Christmas break was relaxing plenty of family time but if I have an regrets it is that I only wish I had chosen to carve the turkey 11 days ago before swallowing it. Judging by the rotund frames on display today I can only guess that the Donegan twins and Harry Stalingrad Nash followed the same policy and each of their turkeys failed to see the sharp edge of a knife.
Pre Christmas games seem a distance memory but Sam Light’s run of form sees him retained in the first team squad and the United benefit from the returning to fitness Ash Russell. The veteran player and club record chaser being a welcome addition to the United’s pack. The pack sporting a potentially more mobile front row and settled back row.
The backs see Chris Young making his first start of the season with stalwarts Sam Garrett, Nick Hawken and Trueman Currie unavailable this week. It wasn’t a backs game two weeks ago on the peat bog at Tor but we’re at home this week on the Rec and a much improved surface which should see the ball move.
United kick off to Wellington towards the ex-popular end and waste no time imposing themselves. We had a hard fought battle away earlier in the season to see us come back to 31-31 before losing by a couple of scores in the last 10 as we ran out of subs and steam, did I mention I had a f ine second half in the front row…………..yawn.
It’s clear that we mean business and emotions are running high so it was no surprise the first score was recorded on 5mins with United taking a scrum against the head and Walker carrying at 8 over the try line.
United 5-0 Wellington, 5mins
It is much the same from the kick off and both strong forward carries from Chesher, Russell and quick hands from the backs with Bird and Marshall looking threatening sees the United again in a commanding position with a scrum on the 5m. Walker again claims the spoils but Young’s boot isn’t collecting the extras.
United 10-0 Wellington, 10mins
United do not yield and the pressure continues for Young to claim an easier conversion with a penalty in front of the sticks.
United 13-0 Wellington, 20mins
Wellington start to impose pressure on the United but this is repelled and with the United looking to have fun, Matthews releases Wheatley just inside the United half and the barrelling prop races away at a speed not expected from the Lord of the Rings extra to link with Young who takes the final glory.
United 18-0 Wellington, 25mins
United forwards are back in the Wellington half and a line out is secured by Russell and driven with Nash breaking late and crossing the whitewash. The vocal Eastern European is delighted with his performance.
United 23-0 Wellington, 30mins
Wellington repel the United for the final 10 mins of the half although further strong carries from Jones and Burns are of note and Williams is having a fine game on the flank making a real nuisance of himself to the frustration of the Wellington 12.
Half Time United 23-0 Wellington
The half time restart does so with numerous changes, Jones off Burge on, Blyth off Cox on, Walker off Bromsgrove on, Nash off Donegan on, Young off Tottle on but there’s no stopping the United and from the kick off the re-organised pack are smashing it up with Russell released inside the Wellington 22, breaking the final tackles to scamper over for his first try in a United shirt for a long while.
United 28-0 Wellington, 43mins
There’s no let up from the United and Matthews kicking from hand gains a couple of penalties with Wellington caught off side. There’s clearly some frustration building and Wellington succumbed to a yellow card. The advantage is taken and Blaine Tottle is released to cruise in for the next try.
United 33-0 Wellington, 55mins
This time it’s the United that suffer the yellow card with Bird awarded 10 mins to cool down for retaliation. The United are unhindered and Cox, vocal on the wing, puts in a crunching tackle in front of the stand to the delight of the crowd. Burge next scores at the base of driving forward play and we also see our first conversion with Way successful with the boot.
United 40-0 Wellington,65mins
Russell is now rested and Walker returns as does Blyth in lieu of Bird. Bird is back on within another 5 mins for Tottle who received a bit of whack, lets hope the red mist has dispersed as we don't need a second yellow and red from the youngster.
There’s still time for a final score and with the United in another attacking line out on the 5m line. The call comes from the bench, coaches and most of the crowd for Donegan to turn at the front of the line. As the message is simultaneously received by my mother and the Gods, comprehension washes over Ryan and as the majestic Vulcan bomber banks and turns Ryan glides on one foot to receive a short ball from Wheatley and steam over the line and secure the f inal score. The celebrations were something to behold the delight bringing a smile to all and at 18:30 Donny could be seen completing victory laps on a darkened pitch in the falling sleet.
United 45-0 Wellington, 75mins
United hold on for the final 5 mins and Wellington push hard for a score but the sheet remains blank.
Full Time United 45 - 0 Wellington RFC,
2nds Thank you to our guests Wellington RFC and the best of luck for the remainder of the season. A terrific performance from the United enjoyed by a crowd in good spirits. Players of note were Captain Wheatley who was consistent in his leadership and ran well, Rhodri Williams rolling back the years on the flank, playing the full 80 and introducing himself to all the Wellington backs. Way and Matthews linking well and Owen’s whose crashing charges didn’t go un-noticed. The back three of Blyth, Marshall and Bird were entertaining, improved in defence and becoming dangerous in attack.
We further benefited from the superb support of Gav Simpson, Steve Donegan and the watchful eye of both Jon Bamsey and Darren Crompton. All are straight talking and there should be no confusion, these guys are here to coach, all we need to to do is turn up twice a week. There will always be exception, team mates that work away but don’t let that stop you from being available. The hard work you put in now creates the person you become and the friendships that last. If you don't believe me take a look at the fellas turning up to watch you.
Backs Dylan Way, Huw Matthews, Rowan Bird, Darren Burns, Chris Young, Tom Blyth, Ollie Marshall
Forwards Charlie Owens, Harry Nash, Tom Wheatley, Ash Russell, Ross Chesher, Vinnie Jones, Rhodri Williams, Mark Walker
Reps (all used) Ryan Donegan, Tom Burge, Blaine Tottle, Kieran Bromsgrove, Henry Cox
RIP - Steve Barrell Worral
Thank you to all,
Mark Mongo Matthews
