Sun is out for season opener

It's an anniversary, don’t panic dads you haven’t forgotten flowers...well you probably have but not for this, it is twelve months to the day since Marrick first came down to this same fixture to watch the lads. Look how far we have come.

Sunday was a beautiful day for the first unfurling of the U14 flag to mark the start of the 17-18 rugby season proper. Coaches were resplendent in Marrick's new Werewolf Rugby clothing label, the range is already growing with a cheeky blue option unveiled yesterday, away kit perhaps, expect a swimwear collection out in time for the summer.

There was more than a hint of the Nigel Owens about Geraint, equipped to ref if called upon but instead ran a superb line with flag in hand. Great to see our Youth Chair Ed and Hamish down to support the lads and also to see Rhino cheering the Maroon and Blues from sick bay, he was 'chewing his arm' keen to play, only another week or so Ryan and you will be back in the pack.

Starting Line up
1. Neal, 2. Spesh, 3. Tracey, 4. Gentleman George, 5. Smiff.O, 6. Cake, 7. Crunchy, 8. BTM, 9. Maximus, 10. Wych, 11. Bretty (what?), 12. Ev, 13. Turbo Tommy, 14. James and 15. Rocky
Finishers: Strong Tom, Doobs, Ears Pearce, Mull, Indie and Smiffy

First Half

It has been a long off season and the lads on both sides had come to play. Plenty of familiar faces across the half way line always adds a certain something to this game as many will meet again on Monday morning as the various school bells ring. No cups or trophies on offer, next week's banter up for grabs incentive enough.

Evesham kick off, good chase, ball reclaimed Ev to Tommy to Bretty on the left wing (don’t laugh, he has been injured) and over in the corner for try number 1. Tough conversion from the touchline for Ev, missed but not by much. Score : 0:5.

Evesham kick off again, forwards look strong in the ruck and some lovely hands from the backs. First scrum, Evesham have brought a fearsome pack with experience, beef and Dom's masterclass still ringing in their ears. Own ball secured.

More hands and running lines saw Wych over under the sticks for try number 2 which Ev converted with his eyes shut. Score : 0:12. Bredon kick to us this time, a first foray into enemy territory and it took a determined Eves defence to repel boarders. Rest of the half was lovely rugby from both sides, Evesham dominant in the scrum and Bredon continuing to test defences including a couple of kicks over the top.

A first go at lineouts, this involves counting which perplexed the forwards but aside from an errant throw or two went pretty well for both sides.

Bredon looked like scoring from a break up the middle only to be denied by a spectacular tackle by Turbo-Tommy tracking back to save the day. Great to see him back in maroon and blue and one of the lads like he had never been away. Half Time, oranges still on Marricks kitchen table, there should be a fine for that, any volunteers to tell him ?

Second Half

Cake off, Bretty to 7, Smiffy onto the left wing, Mull on for Maximus and the other subs filter in through the half.

Bredon had a bright start to the half testing Evesham on both edges and up the middle, Evesham defence was up to it however, the line holding firm for long periods in our own half, several times relieved by Ev's right boot. A lineout close to the Bredon line on the right hand side, ball secured and gifts the forwards the chance they had been waiting for, the drive proved unstoppable and over for a try in a pile of bodies. I have heard plenty of names claiming downward pressure for that one including a couple who were not on the pitch at the time, so we will chalk that one up as a team try. 0:17.

Joel on and immediately involved with a strong run up the right hand side doing well to stay infield. Wych had a good first taste of the 10 shirt linking well with Ev at 12 who's boot picked up where the hands left off several times to get us out of trouble. Tommy had a great game at 13 running lines and linking out or back in to probe the gaps as well as a shift in the defensive line as did James who was cruelly denied a try in the first half for an earlier forward pass. Rocco and then Ears both covered well at the back, Smiffy was causing all sorts of havoc with ball in hand and Max and Mullen were unflappable in the face of a determined former maroon-and-blue Archie. The pack were sensational as a whole in both halves, a very noticeable rip by Indie regained possession mid-way through the second half.

Late in the half saw a drop goal attempt by Bredon denied only by that last coat of paint on the posts and saw the ball reclaimed by Eves' and running back at them before Ev kicked it into the hedgerow to close out the game. Final whistle comes all too soon as everyone is enjoying the game. A very decent first run out for both sides to get the season underway then into shirts and ties and into the clubhouse for refreshments and presentation of a new award this season DOTD.

CCR (Coaches coffee run) noticeably absent yesterday, unless it did work and I no longer qualify because I only write the scores down these days, which is fine. What-evor.

DOTD: A new feature this season, the 'shell suit of shame' awarded for mistake or tardiness, only one choice this week - Olly Smith for following in JSD boot prints last season and diving to ground the ball on the 5m line.

MOM: Impossible to single out one individual yesterday which is exactly what we have been working on, play as a unit, for each other.

Big thank you to Scott, Andy and all the helpers indoors and out for a great game of rugby equalled by the hospitality post match.

Coming up Next: Training on Sunday 1st Oct then a Worcester Training Camp on Sunday 8th.

JB