Twickenham RFC U14’s vs Bedford RFC U14’s

Sunday 29^th Oct 2006

I have been given the task of writing the match report for todays game. Most of you know me and know that I am capable of talking the hind legs off a donkey, but writing them off is another matter!!! I do not confess to being in the same league as previous Match authors, from this season and past.

Well folks here goes…..

We arrived at Bedford RFC bright & early after an hour and a half coach trip in a very nice coach, driven by a very nice man in a very LOUD pink t’shirt! The sun was shining and the sky was blue, hardly a cloud in sight. The day was looking to be a good one. The sun glasses would have been most useful & a few sun loungers at pitch side would not have gone a miss.

Our boys all appeared off the coach in shirts & ties & a variety of lower garments, some more conspicuous than others and some without shoes!!! However they were all there eager and ready to play, what would most definitely be a tough game against a very strong side.

Bedford boys wore a very fetching baby blue & navy hoop shirt and in my opinion had the edge over our boys in the fashion stakes. However we definitely had the better looking lads, although some of them may have needed haircuts!! (mentioning no names Alex!)

The ref was sporting a nice canary yellow top and carried himself around the pitch with ease.

The game started with a try from Bedford within the first 5 minutes! It was converted by a young lad, who was most aptly wearing number 11. Their 2^nd try came after 12 minutes but ‘legs 11’ narrowly missed converting this one.

Reece took the ball from a line out and for a moment ‘T’s’ had possession. We carried it down the field were given an advantage and ended up kicking it into touch!!!!

(Loz, does that sound the faintest bit like rugby, or have I now got the prize for the biggest nonsense in print??)

Joe Griffin took a tackle, but was helped back onto the field with some magic freeze spray!!! Mean while on the touchline, us ladies had our own issues. Danielle was getting contractions and for a split second we were anticipating a delivery!!!

However Bedford decided to make their own delivery and provided us with a 3^rd try, nicely converted by ‘legs 11’.

Half time came and both sides retired for a drink and a nice chat with their respective coaches.

It was during half time that I learnt that the opposition were playing their 1^st season in the Middx/Herts league and this was their 4^th league match. So far they had won 3 without conceding a try. No pressure here then for Twickenham!!!

A slight rearrangement of players for the 2^nd half and we are ready to make our mark on the game.

Just to even the score Bedford scored again, making that 4 tries to nil. No problem we are just biding our time. Right lads?

(slight pause here whilst reporter is attacked by a HUGE dragonfly coming straight for her!!!!!!!)

I recovered just in time to watch Prithvi score the first try for the ‘T’s. Huge rejoicing from the touchline. Lets get the beers in now, why wait to the end to celebrate??

Anyway, slight pause whilst Bedford scored again.

By this time there is a slight amount of tension showing in the game, caused partly be the score, but also by the strength of the opposition and a few mixed messages from the ref. Fortunately he remembered the offside rule half way through the second half and this allowed T’s to open up a bit and show us what they were capable of.

Despite the stronger play from Twickenham, another couple of tries were conceded and the final score was 43 –5.

The boys played a very strong side, and the Bedford coach made comment that we provided the hardest game that they have had, which our boys can be proud of. They showed ‘true grit’ on the field today and worked extremely well as a pack. With their heads held high they should look at this as ‘Not a case of loosing but a case of Learning!’

We left the field and retired to the club house for beers and birthday cake!!! Happy Birthday Lee from us all. Lunch and refreshments undertaken, we then headed home from sunny Bedford with our luxury coach and some rather sleepy parents!

Lastly let me thank all those who helped in the production of this report and todays events;

Water carried on and off pitch by Zac, First Aid support by Adam, Tissues supplied by Sara See, Chewing gum supplied by Jini, Wildlife reports by Carol (apparently the game was watched avidly by a rare Red spotted Admiral butterfly!) and last but not least a big thank you to Twickenham U14’s for another game worth watching.

Anon.!!!!