Jamie Russell was on a lone wolf mission, travelling late and alone due to not being able to tell the time (When the big hand is on the 12 and the little hand….)
There were wholesale changes in the forwards too as a result of the angry baker and the redoubtable Wheatley senior propping up a bar in Spain; the crazy Hungarian on walkabout; and “Mad Ben” Craddock still nursing bruised ribs.

A seemingly catastrophic start for the Athletic when “Glass legs Hazzard” threw a plate in the warm up and hobbled off before we’d even started!

However the newly arranged front row of Solomon, Redman (first go at hooking for years) and Donegan were formidable and were just too strong for Norton. Benny will need to work hard to persuade the selectors to give him back the number 2 shirt. Frank Goold, who bears an uncanny resemblance to Grawpy (Hagrid’s brother in HP stories) was a revelation and used his size and strength to great effect in the rucks and mauls.

The result was that captain for the day, quiet man Dan Lomax, was able to launch attack after attack. First to score was returnee Mike McCarthy playing out of position in centre; next was Robbie MacKay; then Troy Hannam twice before the interval. Meanwhile the improving Touhy took a knock to the knee (although the smart money was on him needing a breather due to his massive consumption of disgusting roll ups) and Blain Bryant took up the challenge of playing in the boiler for the first time.

He’s found his position and was very busy around the park and working well in the set piece. I don’t think we’ll be using him as a line out jumper though! He was obviously well fired up and his rousing half time contribution delivered in the purist Bristolian was incomprehensible yet very inspiring!

The second half saw the Athletic pack still delivering plenty of possession to the backs. Elliott Monelle was in the vanguard and the near geriatric Sparks steadied the ship. The Athletic backs continued to show terrific pace, elusive running, quick hands and great ball carrying.

Frank ‘s game was ended by his ballerina’s ankle not being able to support his weight, Rich Frost pulled a fetlock and Robbie Blackborrow finishing in the forwards – he even offered to go in the second row! Both

Bryant and Solomon went close but it was the backs who continued the onslaught with a try each for MacKay, Hannam (his third – so a jug would be nice some time Troy), McCarthy, Jo McGrath unlucky not to get on the score sheet going close several times; and proceedings were rounded off deservedly by Lomax. All points scored by the Cardiff Chapter of the Atheltic!

Tries 8 (Hannam 3 + 1 conversion; MacKay 2; McCarthy2; Lomax 1 + 3 conversions)

Just a short dietary note to finish with- Monelle is on a low carb diet and the provender offered at Norton was a chicken curry with no chicken in it and not much rice but plenty of yummy carrot and tomato; so in order to stick to his Spartan diet Monelle opted for a MacDonald’s – high protein low fat no carbs burger and chips … durrr!

No game on 19th so a brilliant decision to have a social event but the Athletic will be back in action and keen to continue their progress up the table when they play Nailsea nd Backwell at home on 26th October.