The forwards immediately began a supply of good possession and Lomax set the backs in motion. Lovely hands and crisp distribution saw Mike “Curly” McCarthy under the posts in the sixth minute. Lomax converted and lost the decent match ball (purloined from the 1sts by Cheds) into a neighbouring garden. Despite James Touhy’s valiant attempts to get the ball back (and his leg over with a helpful but inept housewife), the ball was lost and the Athletes had to play on with one made of balsa wood.

The pack performed well and there were further first half tries for Matt Burns, Paul Cullum and Troy Hannam before half time. N&B never gave up and were competing strongly but were well adrift at the halftime whistle by 28 to 14

The Athletic were blessed with an abundance of replacements, none of them backs. Darren Burns had become available as if by magic shortly after 2.30 pm but as Adam Godfrey was taken by a stressed Jon Bamsey to be first team replacement he was needed on the pitch from the start. Someone explain to me how the first team break a flanker during the warm up and decide what they need most of all in the whole world is a fullback to replace him.

Congrats to Adam on his first team debut but the irony is he should have been with the united as he was moved up on Friday night after Ross Bennett had some sort of peanut accident (???) but Ollie Caton pulled a fast one by “breaking his phone” and never got the message that he should have been with the Athletic. Such is life in the fast lane of third team management.

The angry baker called the shots on half time replacements and the asthmatic Mongo was replaced by the equally wheezing Wheatley senior who had turned up in kit on the touchline 20 minutes into the game. The improving Solomon (what do you mean you can’t play next week because you’ll be in Portugal!!) was replaced by James Disney who had broken cover and ditched his camouflage gear and turned up on time. Fair play to our soldier boy he scrummaged well and was useful in loose play.

The supply of good ball was maintained and further tries were added by Smit, Lomax (good decision by touch-judge Bryant I thought), Hannam, McCarthy and Hannam again to complete his second successive hat trick. Is this a record? Probably not but at least he paid for most of a jug this time.

All 8 replacements were used and despite a bit of complacency and loss of concentration allowing N&B to score three second half tries Athletic ran out deserved winners by 59 to 35. When was the last time that the Athletic had 23 players turn up on a Saturday all willing and able to play? Competition for places is increasing and all players need to be at training to help secure a game on Saturday.

Finally a word or two about Mark Walker, who sprang into action to help a stricken Bridgwater Colt who had sustained a suspected neck injury. Mark spent about 45 minutes lying face down on the ground (presumably with his tackle wedged firmly in a worm hole) supporting the youngsters head and neck until paramedics arrived to take him off to hospital.

Well done Mark – a bit early for an attempt to get clubman of the year –oh, and next time take the kicking tee out of your pocket before rolling your jumper up to support an injured man. Such thoughtless action cost Lomax the two conversions he missed out of 9 attempts! We all hope the young man was not seriously injured and makes a full recovery, but he might want to think about playing for another club.

Next game 2nd November away to bottom club Old Culverhaysians – don’t miss it!

Match Photos HERE