Upton visit Evesham

It was decided to play an A team in Blue and a Dev team (with a little smuggled experience) in Maroon against two sides from Upton in four 15 minute quarters.

Game 1 – Blue v Upton

Solid performance from the chaps. First try came from a run by Slippery Wycherley, pass to Geordie and onto Jake to cross the line – proper rugby this. Second Oli to Max to Hamish to finish off and a third individual effort from Slippery dodging and spinning his way in. JSD also crossed the line but was held up (which takes some doing). Only good work by all in defence kept Upton out.

Game 2 – Maroon v Upton

People often ask what do you get out of helping at the rugby. Grief and cold feet generally, but now and again you get a ‘moment’. A special moment, where potential is realised and a long held belief is confirmed. When Olly Neal picked up the ball early in the game and ran at the opposition, something clicked (shoulders of the first 3 tacklers probably) and Olly finally realised that gentle giants are for story books, mental giants score tries. Not once, but twice he ran straight into contact AND kept driving forward shunting four or more defenders, both times delivered him a try from a good distance out. Great to watch – when they make it into a movie it will be all ‘DamBusters theme tune and teary mums with hankies’. Bretty hopped off the bench (pretend we have a bench) to add to the tally making it 3:1 at the break.

Game 3 – Blue v Upton

Blues back on to continue the passing. They passed the ball, not once, not twice, but right along the line for Hamish to cross the whitewash with the fingerprints of every team mate on the ball. Splendid stuff. Upton crossed the line too, 1:1 at full time the right result. Physical game though, Big Tom Merrall off for a few minutes after a knock to the knee and Slippery found himself sat on the grass answering questions about himself to check his brain was still on after he put in a huge stop. Good use of the face.

Game 4 – Maroon v Upton

Tougher test this time, it became tackling practise for Maroons as Upton kept on coming, I suspect a bit of a change around in black and white. Josh took a knock or two but kept getting up, Mighty Mullen took the game to Upton and Jack (Russell) Witherford was taking them on despite being barely visible in the long grass. Bretty was so miffed at missing a tackle (he is still on the naughty step now) as Upton made it five, he ran a try in from inside Maroons own half to save face right on the final whistle.

Great morning of rugby, thanks to Ed for wearing yellow and keeping order and thanks to Mrs Aris for cheering for the correct team this week, well…it’s a start.

JB