Senior Rugby
As most of you were aware, saturday's match at Redditch was a crucial game with the losing side having very little hope of avoiding the drop. This report is a combination of our captain, Tommo, the home team's reporter and myself adding a creative touch seeing that I was back at the home of the Hillbilly watching the Devs.
In a game that would signify almost certain relegation for the losers, Old Yards travelled to Redditch with a confidence that has been lacking in a disappointing season so far. With only 5 minutes played the Ys pocket-sized scrum half Tom Grocott darted through a static Redditch defence to score a try to give his side a 5 point lead. However, as is often the case the hosts fought back almost immediately with a converted try to give them a 7-5 lead. The Ys looked to have the edge but penalty kicks were squandered until eventually Ys fly-half Adam Walker hit the target. Walker then exposed a gap down the blind-side to score an individual try to give the visitors a 13-7 lead. The try of the match came when a Redditch attack broke down in the Yards 22 meter area. Two quick passes saw the ball moved wide to powerful winger Andrew Pearce who sprinted 80 meters, supported closely by Peter Butler, to widen the gap to 18-7
Credit to the home side for not giving up as they scored an opportunist try to offer them some hope but the talented yet inconsistent Walker sealed the victory as well as a bonus point by scoring an individual try and conversion the final score being 25-12 to the Ys.
Meanwhile back at the club, our young lads were waiting for the Dixie Band. The referee, who was very good indeed arrived early enough having travelled from Chaddesley Barker or was it Corbett, and with the visitors dozen brave men we added some of our bench players including Joe Patrick as well as the 'Gas Man'. For a cold day it was not a bad performance as we took control up front with Dave Langley back in action. The Dixies tackled like demons and kept the score down to a respectable level, with the Ys winning 15-0.
Back at Stade Redditch our senior citizens were renewing acquaintances with the home clubs pink shirted Veterans. The match reporter is anonymous, but I bet you can guess who it is.
Redditch Vets 12 - 32 Vandals
The Vandals completed the double over Redditch Vets, a team that has a high win percentage. Redditch took the field in their traditional pink jerseys and performed the Hokey Kokey. Vandals meanwhile were a changed side from the previous week with three players new to the Old Yards - Nick Saunders a Welsh Centre plus Back Rowers Rob Taylor and Richard "Billy" Bilson. Playing up a steep slope the Vandals were quickly into their rhythm. The scrum was rock solid on our own ball while Phil Goldbourne dominated our own lineout ball. This gave good ball to stand in scrum half Ralph Rollins who linked well with the newly married Nev at Outside Half. With good ball the backs scored four first half tries with both Max Gimson and Nick Saunders getting a brace. Two of these were exceptional, the first being Nick's weaving run for 60 yards to score very Gerald Davies like. The second was great inter-passing again from our own half that saw most of the backs touch the ball with Max making the touch down. Ralph added two conversions and a penalty. In response when they had possession Redditch worked two good tries of which one was converted. Half time Redditch Vets 12 - 27 Vandals. I the second half the Vandals did appear to take their foot of the gas a bit. Despite lots of pressure they only managed one further score when Ralph worked a bit of magic to score in the corner. The forwards did up their game with Rob Taylor pinching lots of ball off Redditch at the front of the lineout and the pack driving Redditch back on their ball in the scrum. The Vandals did however keep Redditch pined back in their own 22 for much of the half helped by great tackling lead be The Barrel. However tackle of the match came from Tony Fitzgerald who snuffed out the one promising Redditch break with a Fitzy special. Next week the Vandals are at home and are celebrating Tony Fitz's 50th Birthday. Please come down and watch or even have a part in the game. Then in the evening there is Tony's 50th Birthday Party to which everyone is welcome.
Junior Rugby
Too cold, frosty pitch, risk of injury etc. so all mini/junior games were called off last Sunday.
Weekend Fixtures
Sat 21st Jan
First XV v Wolverhampton away
Dev XV v Wolves home
Vandals v Wolves away
Sunday 22nd Jan
U7, U8, U9 v Bourrnville home
U11 v Bournville away
U16 v Fiveways away Ash Lane (B48 7BD)
Memory Lane
Whilst having a quiet drink (not really possible with Dave Jenkins as company) and some form of pub grub at The Fieldhouse in Solihull last friday, she who spots special offers chose the venue, we came across a star player from the late 70s/early 80s who goes by the name of Bob Adams, a full back with incredible tackling skills for a bloke of 5 feet in height and 8 stone in weight. His SAS training has been on-going in the jungles of Earlswood and other strange areas. He remembers quite a few of his one-time team mates, but unlike others under similar pressure, Bob made no promise to return for a game as his boots fell into a canal, somehow.
On leaving the pub, we had a close shave for as we left by one door we saw John Kitchen enter through the other door.(only joking John)