Bicester Development Festival

Evesham festival was an A team outing, Bicester – Ed assures me that in Latin Bi-cester translates literally as ‘Two Forts’ (Ed did Latin whilst JB was doing metalwork) - was the same festival experience and match time for the rising stars and newest of the new. Always good to play teams we don’t usually face, who knew there was an Oxford Harlequins for example ? Well there is and they approached us after the game for a fixture next season. Bicester themselves are coming along next Sunday to play in our little Hinckley tour event. New friends all round.

Great to see Maximus, our A Team 9 come along to watch and support the lads.

Evesham brought an impressive array of deck chairs, lined up in front of the gazebo and protected from casual theft at all times by the rugby mums – you want the chair, you will have to get me out of it first. Mrs Mullen even arrived with not one but two homemade cakes, choice of banana or lemon drizzle, I don’t know how Rob stays so trim.

Playing Squad: Slate, Rhino, Flying-Fin, Mighty-Mullen, Carpet-Wright, Ears-Pearce, Indie, Gentleman-George, Bretty, Cake, Hamish (we must settle on a nickname for next season), Smiffy, Jack ’Russell’ and ‘Steve’ Davis. Unfortunately injury ruled Slippery out.

Game 1 – Didcot 2

What a way to start your first festival, Rhino, our newest recruit with labels still on his training top, early hands on the ball and there was no stopping him from a good way out with numerous defenders still to beat. Shortly after the restart it looked like a straight repeat, across the line again but this time held up. Half Welsh he may be, but it was the English half over the line ;o) Bretty charged through traffic for a try, Didcot got one for themselves to close the half 2:1.

Second half saw Cake muscle across the line, Mighty Mullen finish off a solid run from Rhino and Fin whiz down the edge for his first of the festival before later doing the same again with pace to burn for a second.

Full Time: Evesham 6: Didcot 1

Game 2 – Oxford Harlequins

Solid performance by the lads, Mighty working well at 9, Slate providing air cover from 10, first half ended 3 tries to Evesham (Bretty) : Ox Harlequins 1. ‘Steve’ Davis picked up a knock towards the end of the first half, wrist but thankfully not of Gilderson proportions.

Second half saw a beautifully read interception by Fin who was already charging forward, he then lit the after burners and was across the line unchallenged. Slate was probing left and right before finding a way through for his first of the day, Bretty got his fourth of the game and Cake over again before the whistle.

Final Score: Evesham 7 : Ox Harlequins 1

Game 3 – Wallingford 2

Tougher game this, opposition not quite as ‘development’ as the festival title suggests. Evesham defence could perhaps have been stronger in some areas, first half finished Wallingford 2 : Evesham 0.

Second half saw Evesham step up defensively and with more go forward, Hamish stumbled just before the line and later Bretty was clothes-lined right on the line, penalty try surely but the ref did not agree.

Final Score: Wallingford 2 : Evesham 0. This result meant that we finished 2nd in pool 2 and were into the plate final against 2nd in pool 1.

Plate Final – Didcot 1

Strenuous endeavour from all the lads, Jack Russell tackling below the waist (he is permanently below the waist of some), Bretty and Cake made it 2:0 by half time. Second half our defence held strong, Hamish flattened some poor lad into touch and Bretty benefited from the space created by the lads to run in a couple more, Didcot got one themselves along the way.

Final Score: Evesham 4: Didcot 1 Evesham Plate Winners – we won’t let the absence of an actual plate detract from what was a sterling performance by all on the day.

Never mind two forts in Bicester, it was the two farts during the team photo that the boys will remember. More banana cake anyone ?

Summary – fantastic experience for ALL the lads, great to see Rhino get his first try in his first festival and his mate from football the ‘Flying Fin’ prove that his pace is useful with more than just a round ball. Mighty Mullen was highly reliable at 9, first there every time, shipping the ball and not afraid to get into the ruck as required. Tom Stone had a excellent day at 10, impressive with hands and feet - dropping to full back to catch the restart, kicking into space in attack, passing well or running forwards at every opportunity, a proper captain’s shift and leading by example.

CCR: The Davis’ and The Mullens kept the coaches caffeinated for which we are most grateful. (apologies if I missed anyone)

Thing you need to do next: Support the Hinckley tour next weekend, BBQ Sat night and games on Sunday. Last rugby of the season so lets enjoy it before something dull like cricket takes over.