Hereford come to Evesham

The name Hereford is from the Anglo Saxon ‘Here’ meaning an army settlement and ‘Ford’ meaning river crossing – every day is a school day. Essentially soldiers by a river, more Welsh than less too being light years the other side of the M5 so who better to invite for a well natured rumble on the banks of the Avon on Sunday. First time we have played as far as anyone can remember, so a very warm welcome to Andy and his troops.

Good to see Ed in RFU yellow again, back from a month ‘working’ on a Spanish archipelago. Returned to host the new series of Bargain Hunt judging by that tan, somewhere between ‘Conker’ and ‘Intense Chestnut’ on the Dulux chart, for those not there on Sunday imagine an old leather pub chair with a whistle. The guy signing his overtime will have questions.

Two teams each, plenty of grass, two refs (for a while anyway, more of that later) so concurrent games for Blues and Maroons to make the match reporters life a misery. That position remains open by the way.

Game 1 - Blues
Front row: JSD, Cake, Carpet, 9-Maximus, 10-Slate, 11-James, 12-Turbo, 13-Slippery and 14-Big Tom Merrall as an alarming surprise for the Hereford left wing. No Bretty this week, he had a 'bit of a sniffle', poor little lamb.

Just when you think you have it all figured out, we all know that Blues are strong and flowing in the first half and disjointed and individualistic in the second, on Sunday they changed it all around. First half it was Hereford playing the rugby and moving the ball, Blues defended very well to keep it to 0:1 at half time.

Few reminders at half time and the second half was a significant improvement with the ball moving well, runners with pace and multiple passes seeing Slippery over for a try (after an earlier knock-on right on the line), Slate started and finished off a lovely series of moves with James for a try, Big Tom crossed the whitewash too before Slippery got his second. MUCH better rugby. Hereford crossed for one along the way. Final Score 4:2.

Game 2 - Maroons
Front Row: Olly Neal, Indie, Geordy, 9-Mighty Mullen, 10-Hamish sharing some positional experience, 11-Ears Pearce, 12-Joel, 13-Smiffy, 14-Fin

I did not see this match but from recollections in the bar afterwards everyone played well against determined opposition, a bit one way at times, it all finished 2:6 with one of the Maroons tries from Hamish before the spine board made an appearance. I could make up some stuff at this point and you would probably never spot it, who reads this nonsense anyway, but if anyone has a more factual recollection, please let me know and I will drop it in. Come and have a go if you think you are bard enough (please).

Game 3 - Blues

Blues second game was pleasingly more of the same, ball moving well, tackling ‘like they do on the telly’, first half tries for Turbo-Tommy, Slippery and Hereford got one by half time.

Second half Turbo got his second, Hereford got one in return before the whistle. Big Tom Merrall made 3 tackles in very quick succession, good lad. 3:2 the final score and Blues were value for it.

Game 4 - Maroons

Only change to the line-up saw Turbo replace Hamish who was now lounging about like an extra in Holby City (is that still on?). What is the penalty for desertion, I am sure we will have thought up something by tour.

This last game a quick 10 minutes blast before the bar opens saw ‘Turbo’ get 2 with pure pace, Olly Neal get 1 from a ‘Turbo’ kick chase and Hereford narrowly miss with one knock-on close to the line and a second break thwarted by a try saver from Turbo running right to left just as quickly as he goes left to right. Final score 3:0.

CCR: Coaches Coffee Run this week was handled expertly by Rob Mullen, did not spill a drop.

BDD: We were going to venture into the Best Dressed Dad category this week but on inspection you all resembled a soup kitchen queue which made a mockery of the whole concept so we gave up. Phil was barely dressed for the beach that Ed just left, despite the cold. Even JB, dapper by anyone’s measure was humbled by some fragile trouser stitching where a gentleman would never scratch. Never fear, new trousers now purchased with roomier undercarriage and ERFC logo (oohh).

Man of the Match: Hamish for assisting the Maroons with their positional play and ensuring he scored the try BEFORE disappearing in a nice warm ambulance (and taking our only ref with him). Thankfully all clear and full recovery well underway. Well done H.

Nice to see Tom Davis down to support the lads with his arm in a sling from a football (don't get me started), good team spirit Tom.

Things you need to do next: Race night, Friday night at Elmley, if you don’t have tickets let me know. Training on Wednesday 18:30. Sunday: At home to Alcester 10:15 with boots on please.