Claverdon U12 visit Lower Albert Rd

Both sides were up for some rugby after a month off, focused effort from both clubs managed to switch venues, second guess the weather and refuse to be beaten by the ground conditions on pitch or parking to get a game going where others had failed. First time the clubs had met since a 3 way game at Stow several years ago, back when contact was a new thing, so it should be interesting.

A single U12 team from Claverdon arrived in pristine cherry and white kit, this set the Evesham mums off on ‘how white do you get your whites’ and ‘that white would finish up pink if I washed it’ whilst the dads busied themselves shouting wise words at the Evesham lads warming up.

With 2 full sides from Evesham it was decided to play 12 minute quarters and rotate the teams to keep everyone warm and interested. From the off this was a gritty encounter with determined attack and enthusiastic defense from both sides and some ‘alternative points of view’ shared between opposing players here and there.

Game 1 – Blues - Front Row JSD, Cake and Carpet, second row BTM and Bretty, 9-Maximus, 10-Serge, 11-Joel, 12-Hagrid, 13-Smiffy, 14-Flying-Fin and making his debut at 15-Slippery Wycherley.

Nothing between the two sides, even contest that saw Hagrid score in the left corner off recycled ball from the forwards and Claverdon score off an intercepted pass in the midfield. 1:1

Game 2 – Maroons - Front Row – Olly Neal, JSD and Indie, 2nd row Swing Lowe and making his debut for ERFC Jamie Everall, 9-Mighty Mullen, 10-Maximus, 11-Isaac ‘Billy’ Graham, 12-Hagrid, 13-Matt ‘Ears’ Pearce, 14-Gentleman George Tinson and 15-Slippery Wycherley

Maroons picked up where Blues left off, this side contains most of the new recruits and it was fascinating to see how they worked together against the same opposition. Hagrid in the left corner again, Claverdon one in return before Cake over in the right corner to close the quarter 2:1. Jamie Everall impressed with his ball carrying and straight lines, decent first run out Jamie - welcome.

Game 3 - A couple of knocks in earlier games changed the face of the front row, Cake and Carpet both now spectating. I lost track of who was where by now and resorted to counting heads to make sure there were 12.

Evesham set up an impressive driving maul that crossed the line and eventually revealed Smiffy, looking like a mudslide survivor in Sierra Leone, still holding the ball over the line. Then pressure near the Claverdon line saw the ball spill out of a ruck and Bretty be first to pounce and cross the line for Evesham’s second. 2:0 to Evesham

Game 4 – For the last game the team was made up of whoever was left standing on the touchline in the previous game and assorted volunteers that had just played until we totaled 24 boots. Quality journalism this, come back Rob Mullen.

Claverdon scored early on before passions inside and outside the touchline meant it was hotdog time before The Fragrant Mrs Aris heard some new words.

Thanks to Ed for keeping order and Tim for running the line, well I say running, the scorer at the darts on the telly covers more ground, but good job all the same. Before you point out that the fat-lad doing the subs was pretty static too, in my defense you cannot run with a clipboard, they are right up there with scissors.

Man of the Match: Serge (who is your actual French) for excellent distribution
Aimee’s award (Tackle of the Match): Mighty Mullen, Welsh as they come, for great cover of the opposition 9
Both awards attracted an additional prize this week, an England RFU supporters drinks bottle – use it with pride boys.

Lost Property: New style Evesham shirt left draped over the fence, it is in JB’s bag next time we are together, which will be Wednesday at the astroturf 6-7pm