Sat 5 Apr 2025, 15:00
Saturday 5 April 2025, KO 15:00
Congratulations to my parents Kay and Ken on their 60th Wedding Anniversary, I apologise now for my absence this evening as I will out partying with mum and dad. A special thanks to mum for shagging dad, it can’t have been easy but wonderful to be here. A shame you persisted a further two times.
The United arrive at Castle Cary for the final game of the season, where did the time go, and a clash with the top of the table and the confirmed league winners. No debuts this week and although not the strongest United team fielded this season all are very keen to test themselves today and finish on a high. Most are also trying to avoid being a Tik Tok star as Cary have not only won the league but have a terrific social media following and generally look to send themselves up.
Last minute changes see Ross “thuper thuccessfull thession” Chesher pulled into the 1st team squad, home this week for their final league fixture but with the promise of cup opportunity. We see Ryan Donegan join the team on the bench for a final father and son appearance this afternoon.If there is concern it is with regard the bench with only Ryan and Roo Beckett travelling with the United. It’s a warm day and there are some old heads in the United, will this ultimately be our undoing this afternoon?
Now has the team prepare in the dressing room and greater extent of conversation is game focused but, I can’t help over hearing Harry “Putin may have a point and I like the Polish immigration policy” Nash and Steve Donegan discussing the benefits of fat injections. I feel obliged to point out that the injection is not to get extra pumped in, discarded liposuction, and that both are suitably rotund and need less not more. A moment of confused silence passes them before both advised that it is the weight loss fat injections they are planning and then challenging the 1st team positions next season.An admirable objective I agree, however, on pointing out that both are shortly to travel to the states for a two week ‘Man verse Burger’ experience I believe the best they will achieve by September and the start of the season is status quo. Silence again, and then more silent acceptance of the truth.
United kick off playing up the slight slope and it’s a hard dry pitch with more dust than a spaghetti western. The United put on good early pressure and have an attacking line-out on the 5m. Cary are further penalised and the United opt for a scrum. The scrum is solid the ball moved to the backs Matthews draws Hawken into the line who smash’s it up with great intent. Hawken held, then a knock on Cary scrum on their 5m but they clear the lines kicking deep into the United half.
United respond back to half way withstanding the initial pressure with the United forwards matching Cary although the Cary backs look dangerous.
Cary 7-0 United, 20mins.
Cary come back strong from the kick off and Mike Powell puts in a wonderful tackle knocking Cary back but they retain possession push the ball wide and cross for their second, rounding under the posts.
Cary 14-0 United, 28mins.
Poor defence from United but Rowan Bird chases back and holds Cary up over the line for a fine individual defensive effort.
The Cary 8 is a large fellow, head and shoulders over everyone else and quick. I can only think he spent the first 15 years of his life stood in manure but loves it out in the centres now.
Cary 19-0 United
United build another great attack with super play from both forwards and backs. A final knock on is their undoing and Cary punish once again.
Cary 24-0 United, 43mins.
Half Time at Cary and the United have the slope advantage for the 2nd half, making use of the two subs Ryan Donegan relieves dad Steve and Roo Beckett comes on for Hawken. Although trailing the United have had their opportunities and like against Wyvern haven’t had the finish to secure the points.
The United break immediately from the KO with Ollie Martin busting tackles to release Rhodri Williams for a sprint to the try line. Huw Matthews collects the extras and it feels momentarily that the United may come back into it.
Cary 24-7 United
That feeling is short lived and Cary pull away as the United tire. There isn’t much to say except that some fellow called Henry should be given the ball a lot if the home crowd are to be believed,
Cary 31-7 United,
Cary 36-7 United, Cary 41-7 United, Cary 46-7
United I would add that we were down to 14 men for that last try as Mark Walker was on the side of the pitch enjoying a pedicure. Hawken and Martin also swop numerous times and Cary score again.
Cary 53-7 United
Another chink of light in the blanket of darkness as Harry Nash breaks from 5m and is in.
Cary 53-12 United
This can only be describe as crumbs from a rich man’s table as it merely serves to push Cary on and any gentlemanly agreement of playing 70 minutes on this hot day evaporates.
Cary 58-12 United, Cary 65-12 United, Cary 72-12 United, Cary 79-12 United, Cary 86-12 United
The game is all but over and lost 10 mins into the second half, but its a final United attacking scrum. The scrum is solid the ball secured and there’s the matter of United top try scorer 2024/25 to sort. Mark Walker, Nick Hawken and Tom Blyth are all on 8 tries each and all still on the pitch some how. Walker picks from the base of the scrum and goes route one at the try line, surely it’s Walker, no held brought down short. Ball is recycled Bird lifts it to Matthews, flick on to Hawken for and winning smash up the middle, held up. Ball recycled, Bird has hands on Blyth is calling for it on the wing angling back on to the field. The ball flys past him, Matthews loops collects and is in at the corner. Your going to have to share it this year fellas.
Castle Cary 86-17 United
Full time Castle Cary 86 -17 Weston-super-Mare RFC United
Thank you to our hosts Castle Cary, the very best of luck in the league your promotion takes you. Well deserved and a well organised team, the burgers were great.
As for the United its the same tune you were well beaten, although the first half was competitive, by a side that was only different in the training they have completed, week in week out together. This call to training has been my standard all season and that of Simon Hudson and from within the team. I understand some some work away all week, others are old and broken but we need a United that can train, challenge for positions (within the United and 1st XV) and move forward next season.
Forget about todays game as that is it, 2024/25 season is over, we didn’t get relegated and f inished a respectable 6th. You have developed into a team and have put in some highly competitive results winning and losing. The turning point for me, Bridgwater at home on a Friday night, we lost, by a score, but a team started to appear. There has been some terrific consistency and stand up players, young, Vinnie Jones, Tom Blyth and Huw Matthews and older Rhodri Williams and Nick Hawken. Leadership and effort from all areas, Donny and Burns passionate as always and we wouldn't be without the vocal Nash.
What has been particularly pleasing has been the 4 colts in the United, Rowan Bird from the start of the season, Ollie Marshall joining him by October and in the later part Ollie Dadds and Roo Becket. All are fantastic prospects moving forward. We have also ceded 1st team players, Rowan Bird getting some caps, Ross Chesher and Sam Light playing their part as well as Max Patterson almost there. Charlie Owens finishing the season strongly for the 1st team.
Thank you to the veterans that have supported the team this year, Gavin Simpson, James Matthews and Ash Russel, Chris Young both still competitive in the first team but lending their support during the season. Mike Powell who brought his kid to training on a Sunday now with a handful of United caps. Trueman Currie and Josh Cooke regulars through the season.
Backs Rowan Bird, Huw Matthews, Tom Blyth, Ollie Martin, Nick Hawken, Ollie Marshall, Jack Bridgman
Forwards Harry Nash, Ethan Westlake, Steve Donegan (c), Simon Hudson, Mike Powell, Vinnie Jones, Rhodri Williams, Mark Walker
Reps (all used) Ryan Donegan, Brigham Roo Beckett
The pleasure is all yours,
Mark Mongo Matthews
