Evesham U12 welcome Stourbridge RFC for their first night time game

Evesham U12 welcomed Stourbridge RFC for what was easily the most anticipated fixture of the season so far, first night-time game under lights on the hallowed turf of the first team pitch, first use of the changing hutch and team bath, first taste of Sri Lankan food for some and first glance at the U12 for the club seniors and representatives from the first team. 3x15 minute games to maximise the opportunity and a new face with the whistle.

Man Down – preparations for big games vary by player, some listen to music, some have a little quiet time, some check their boots…whatever works right ? Rhino decided to head butt a pole at school on Friday (a fence pole, not a Polish person) needing some A&E glue to stop him looking like a money box and he STILL wanted to play !!! We had told the lads to ‘win it for Rhino’ so it was special that he made it down to support the boys – top man.

Game 1:
1.Dick Tracey 2.Cake 3.Carpet 4.Swing Lowe 5.BTM 8.Smiffy 9.Maximus 10.Gazelle-derson 11. Ears Pearce 12.Hagrid 13. Slippery Wycherley 14.Flying Fin 15.Slate

Any big game nerves were instantly forgotten as Will G kicked off and the chase was on. Some big hits by the Evesham forwards led on the night by Cake with BTM a notable tackler. A pacey break by Gilderson through a hole saw a try to the hosts.

Gilderson, Cross and Wycherley combining in the midfield fed by Aris could not break what needed to be a solid defensive line by Stourbridge and any attempt to involve the wingers resulted in a lineout. Evesham managed to mangle a few overlaps so an ‘eyes up drill’ will be featuring in training.

Stourbridge had hands and feet in the centres and a few phases of play saw them over to level the score 1:1. Proper match this, super stuff.

Game 2:
1.JSD 2.Cake 3.Shaquelle O.Neal 4.Swing Lower 5.Jamie Overalls 8.Bretty 9.Maximus 10.Gazelle-derson 11.Doobs 12.Hagrid 13.Slippery 14.James 15.Slate

Stourbridge were a constant threat with a seemingly endless supply of impact runners. Evesham defended valiantly to stop what would easily have been a try on a couple of occasions.

Our Fullback Tom ‘Slate’ Stone was ‘ridiculous’ under the high ball, not one but two catches taken at full throttle and like his dad with a pint he has paid for himself he was never in danger of dropping it.

Olly Neal on a wrecking ball of a run crossed the line but was judged to be held up, looked to me like the wreckage of 6 tacklers piled up beneath him which amounts to the same thing. Then a beautiful phase of play through fast hands – Aris – Gilderson-Cross-Wycherley over in the corner but the last pass judged forward as spotted by the eagle-eyed Mr Berry.

Great piece of heart-felt rucking by the Evesham forwards secured the ball for Gilderson to light the afterburner and touch down. Evesham 1: Stourbridge 0

Game 3:
1.JSD 2.Cake 3.Neal (mid-half switched to Carpet) 4.Everall (mhs to Smiffy) 5. BTM 9.Maximus 10.Gazelle-derson 11.Duberley (mhs to Flying Fin) 12.Cross 13.Slippery 14.James 15.Slate

The big final game, everyone warmed up and keen to get at it. The physicality ramped and solid running from both sides was met with equally strong defence, a couple of collisions forced replacements for Stourbridge and one of the Evesham first team was overheard to say ‘glad I did not play rugby when I was 11’

Line-outs were a giggle, coaching advice extended to ‘chuck it in and see what happens’ so it was a pinball lottery and amusing to watch.

The Evesham forwards were working hard now and as a unit, one particularly hard fought ruck retrieved the ball to Gilderson who popped a cheeky kick-chase over the top which he was able to touch down for a try. All very flash Will but you still left your shorts behind when you went home, the butlers night off perhaps ;o)

Evesham 1 : Stourbridge 0

Over-all an incredibly enjoyable event, the lads put on a great game to watch, two quality sides playing firm but fair in exactly the spirit that sets rugby apart. More important than the score was the experience of the whole thing, the sportsmanlike conduct by both sides and the rugby etiquette and heritage passed down to the next generation. Calm down JB, it’s only a match report. True – but it was a good night though wasn’t it ?

Our ambition at the outset was to give the lads as close to a ‘first team experience’ as we could. From the moving lyrics of ‘I Predict a Riot’ on in the changing rooms, to Bov fumigating the place with the Deep Heat, to hanging the playing shirts in advance, to the team bath and club polo shirts in the bar for some post-match hospitality – I know the lads will remember this night for a long time to come. I’d say it all went rather well.

‘Man of the Match’ – we invited the Stourbridge Head Coach to select and present our MoM, never an easy job because the lads all played fantastically well, but there could be no argument with his choice for controlling the game at 10, leading the aerial assault and scoring Evesham’s tries –Will Gilderson.

‘Aimee’s Award’ for Tackler of the Match – we outsourced this difficult decision before kick-off to Evesham’s Director of Rugby, Jamie Cameron. By full-time there were a number of potential names in the frame, but for rock solid stops and rucking with menace Jamie selected our number 8 (wearing 7 on the night) Will Brett.

The Thank You’s (grab a cuppa, this could take a while)

Stu Berry – borrowed from the senior circuit our most qualified ref did a fantastic job of directing the lads over the 3 games, thanks for making the time Stu it was most appreciated, especially by Ed who got to watch a game from the side for the first time in a long time.

Rohan – possibly the best Sri Lankan street food available on the southern bank of the Avon, between Hampton Ferry and the Railway bridge after 8pm. Seriously Ro the food was outstandingly good, gushing comments of approval from players and parents from both sides. Thanks to you and your team for significant toil in the kitchen and helping to make the night so special. If I lived in Sri Lanka, with food like that, I would be ‘bigger than Bov’.

Stourbridge RFC – massive thanks to Stourbridge RFC for making the journey to visit us, for 3 top quality games and for joining us in the clubhouse afterwards – it is this spirit that we are keen to pass on to the lads. We hope that this night fixture becomes an annual tradition that we can keep going as we progress through the age groups, there is already talk of a return leg at Stourbridge for which we are entirely supportive.

Ali, Sharon and the First Team for turning out to support the lads and for running the bar for us. Great to see the U12 and the First team watching the game together, some of them could be playing together in about 6 years time.

Karl’s Kaf – thanks to Ash Neal for donating the coffee and hot chocolate and then running the pop-up café which was so welcomed on a cold night.

Evesham Parents – a huge thank you to all parents for making the time on a Friday night to deliver your rugby star, for lending a hand on the night as required and for continuing to support what we are building with the squad.

Players – well done to all the players from both sides for treating us to 3 fantastic games of live rugby to whet the appetite for Wales v France on the big screen afterwards. I look forward to seeing Serge in his Wales top on Sunday.

Ed – for cleaning the changing rooms, marking the pitch, booking the club, booking the catering, printing the signs for the changing room door and his general industry behind the scenes to make the whole thing work.

Sunday: Tewkesbury at home, 10am with boots on, be there.
JB