Revenge is a dish served...wet and very muddy!

'Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more' - Henry V, William Shakespeare


County Champions 2012. Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?! Yes, we finished the season in style with a 40-0 win against rivals Hertford in a reverse of the same game last year. The competition may have fallen on hard times but it was still an excellent way to round off a superb season.


When I played for Waterloo up in Liverpool, we played in the Lancashire Cup. I was lucky enough to reach the final, played at Sedgley Park in front of a sell-out crowd. Yes it was a 2nd team with the 1st team bench but we played every round with full intensity in front of large crowds each time. 


And yet, here we were last Sunday playing in the Herts Cup final for the 2nd year running without playing a single game in the build up. I'm glad to see changes are being made to this competition next year because something needs to be done. 


But, nevertheless, we were there to win. The club had never won the trophy before and we were determined to cap off our season with some silverware. And a rabble-rousing pre game talk from John Lamden certainly set us on the path.


The conditions were truly abysmal. Watford beat Old Verulamians in the 1st game in torrential rain and with a couple of inches of standing water in areas of the pitch. It seemed the Rugby Gods were mourning my retirement! However, as the warm up started, the clouds parted and sun began to shine through. 

Capt'n Morgan slides in

We knew Hertford had played the day before so were unlikely to field a full strength side but that didn't stop us going for the jugular. Belying the wet conditions, we played our normal expansive running game, determined to enjoy our last full outing as the Class of 2011/12. 


We looked composed, confident and effortlessly clinical as Tommy Newton capitalised on a mistake from the Winger to touch down for the first score. Our jinking magician scored his second as he slipped through infamous Prop Baz's grasp to score under the posts.


The scrums weren't pretty but we managed to hold our own - no mean feat I can tell you. I still have nightmares of previous games against Hertford!


We dominated the breakdowns and loose play. Harry Bloomfield continued his phenomenal form with some brutal forward running and commanding play in the air at restarts and lineouts. Kiwi/Aussie Marlen was his usual bullocking self and Papa Bear Lamden proved he can certainly shift for a big lad! The Mateai Express crashed through for a score and the half was closed by a fantastic flowing team try, gratefully finished by Capt'n Morgan, sliding in from what seemed like the 22 line!

Literally unstoppable!

The 2nd half continued much in the same vein. Some outrageous hands in the backs lead to a second score for Wills. And then, just as a squadron of pigs flew overhead, a perfectly executed driven lineout lead to a penalty try under the posts. Yes. That's right. A push over try against Hertford!


The defending Champions fought back in the name of pride but we were determined to keep them scoreless. With our sinews stiffened, blood summoned and fair nature disguised with hard-favour'd rage (see earlier quote for the Philistines!), they finished the game with nothing.


Some may feel this was a hollow win against a 2nd team in a meaningless competition. But, as a team, we have been through a lot this year so it was something of a relief to finish with some glory.  


Next year, Herts have scheduled some much needed changes to the trophy to make it more competitive. But for now the Tring's name will be etched into history forever more!


Next stop...The Players' Dinner! 

Swan song ends in swan dive

'And now, the end is near
And so I face the final curtain...'  - Frank Sinatra


WARNING: This post may contain generous helpings of self-absorbed introspection...well more than usual anyway!


The Tring Rangers wrapped up our most successful National 3 league season with the brutal 111-7 route of already relegated Havant. It was a merciless way to send down a once great club but also a great way for me to sign off in my last game at Fortress Cow Lane.


The last few weeks of a season are always tough. There is an 'end of term' atmosphere and it is difficult to get any real focus in training sessions. Players are usually held together by tape at this point, desperate to see out the long campaign. One eye is on a summer of DIY and Saturday shopping trips. A few practice cover drives or right arm seam actions can often be seen as well. But John was keen to reign this in and focus on finishing the season with a bang.


The match at Dorking had been extremely disappointing. Bar two errors, we had been supreme in the first half only to be physically dominated in the second. However, we knew Havant would be a different prospect. The Hampshire club had struggled all season and, without meaning to sound too arrogant, we knew it was a case of 'how much' rather than 'if'. But few would have expected the final score.


It took 10 minutes for the floodgates to open. We looked sharp and focused but still bombed a few early chances. However, once Tommy Newton touched down for the first score, our nerves settled and we finished our chances with finesse and aplomb. A Hat Trick for the Mateai Express, and scores from Papa Bear Lamden and Marlen Walker pushed the score well out of reach. A late rally from the visitors lead to a surprise score from Winger Duke but a 43-7 half time score meant the game was safely out of reach.


And then the screw was turned in the second half. Havant's fitness and heart had been broken and we were in no mood for pity. Further scores from Papa, Radders, Tommy, Claps and Scott Browne pushed the score out to 78-7 after just 53 minutes. In truth, I wish I could give more detail on these tries but there were just too many to recall. 


At this point, I was starting to panic. I had still not scored yet and the Naked Mile at the end of season Players' Dinner was looming large in my mind. I was desperately running the best support lines my legs would allow but with little to no tackling, no one was giving up the ball. 


And then, like a prayer answered, Ben Criddle burst through on the right wing. He passed inside to Tommy Newton. As he reached the 22, I screamed almost pleadingly for the ball. He drew the Full-back, popped inside for a glorious trott under the posts and a totally unnecessary, Ashton-esque swan dive!   


But we weren't finished there. More scores from Tommy, Wills, Criddler and JP poaching Cap'n Morgan's certain try meant a final score of 111-7. The highest score in the league that year. They even let me take the final conversion!


So that was it. The end of the most successful season Tring has had and my last appearance at Fortress Cow Lane. Seventh in the league with 13 wins is a fantastic achievement but I think we all recognise a few messy games after Christmas cost us a higher position. 


And what about me? Well, I suffered a lot of abuse on Saturday night from people saying I'm retiring too early! But I feel the time is right. To be honest, it could be more of a sabbatical than a full retirement. In a year's time, or when the Baby is a bit older, I'd like to come back and play at a more social level or maybe do some coaching. But I won't be able to commit to the extra fitness and gym work needed to compete at this level.


I feel I have had my best season for a number of years - possibly ever. My defence has been much improved and I have made more tackles and forced more turnovers than ever. However, I set myself the goal of making the County squad this year which I have failed to do. Ultimately, I did not perform well enough in key matches this year to catch the eye (Bishop Stortford away, Ampthill away, and Bracknell away). Also, one try a season is not an adequate return for a Number 8.

The next generation of Tring Ranger!

That said, it has been a wonderful journey. From my first days in the Centres at Under 12 to now, I have loved every minute. Stand out moments for me have been the win away at Jersey - now a Championship side - the 6-3 thriller in a hurricane at Chingford to secure promotion, and wins home and away against local rivals Bishop Stortford. 


I'll miss the boozy bus trips, the unwavering support both home and away, and, most of all, the unrivalled camaraderie in the changing room. We haven't got the biggest or most talented squad but we are successful because we play for each other.


The most exciting news is that I am expecting a son in September so the next generation of Tring Ranger is already on the way! 


Now...enough of this self-indulgence. Next Sunday sees us compete for the Herts County Cup against Hertford and it would be great to sign off with some silverware.


'...the record shows I took the blows and did it my way!'

Dorking punish weak scrum

We had hoped for an unbeaten run at the end of the season. We had hoped for our first win over Dorking in three years. We had hoped for a lot of things...unfortunately, it was an all too familiar story. An 'encouraging' and 'passionate' performance, inevitably let down by a more dominant forward pack and a handful of errors. 

The convincing win against Gravesend had pleased everyone. We had stuck to our new gameplan and produced a physical and professional performance. Despite an Easter break, we were confident we could keep the momentum going and win our last three league games and secure 6th spot. 

Before the weekend, we had not beaten the Surrey side in five attempts. Previous clashes with Dorking had been hard-fought, entertaining and had generally produced an excellent standard of Rugby. So we were all looking forward to the match.


We started extremely well. We were patient but clinical at the breakdown and, most importantly, we looked merciless out wide. The Backs were very much in the mood. Young Beeny continued his good form at Scrum-half and the Centre partnership of JP and Papa Bear Lamden were a constant handful. The pressure told on 14 minutes. Fly-half Scott Browne waltzed through a gaping hole and off loaded the Tommy Newton to touch down.


A couple of penalties extended our lead but it was our mistakes that let the home side back in. Browne was caught in position and Dorking punished us with a try from Scum-half Crow. Undeterred, we continued to press our dominance but again a simple mistake lead to a score for prolific Winger Terelak.


However, just as the tables were starting to turn, stunning hands from the Backline lead to a quite brilliant score for Browne. Papa Bear's bootstrap catch and flick was worth the entrance fee alone. So we finished the half 23-12. An impressive lead and a potential scalp on the cards.

But then the tables really did turn...with brutal efficiency. The pitch itself had a fairly pronounced slope. We didn't notice it too much at first but playing uphill against a rejuvenated opposition was an entirely different prospect. Dorking started with blistering speed, keen to make up for early mistakes and a flowing move down the left lead to an easy score for Full-back Tyler. 


The scrum had struggled all day and the labour was intensified by the slope. A scrum on our five metre line lead to a humiliating and all-to-easy push over try, which was jubilantly celebrated. 


The cracks in our game had been prized open into fissures and there was no stopping Dorking. A number of penalties and a further try from Number 8-turned-Winger Lucas meant a final score of 40-23. 28 unanswered points in the second half left a bitter taste in our mouths.


It boils down to the ultimate sporting cliche...a game of two halves. The first: probably the best half we have ever played. We were excellent at the breakdown, securing quick ball for a pumped up Backline to work their very best magic. The second: Dorking, buoyed by a couple of gifted tries, closed out the game efficiently. But it was through no lack of effort or passion - more a loss of shape on our behalf.


6th place looks beyond our grasp unless we can pull off a cricket score against Havant and Luton can shock Civil Service. All-in-all we are hoping to get over the disappointment and finish the season on a high.


And so there are just two games left of the season. Havant at home and then Hertford in the County Cup Final. Two games left of what has been such a promising season. And just two games left of my Rugby career.


Yes, I am still planning to hang my boots up on 29 April (give or take a couple of Sevens tournaments in the Summer). It will be something of an emotional game on Saturday as I run out in front of the Step End faithful for the last time. With the baby due in September, I won't have the time to commit to the extra training, fitness and gym work needed to succeed at this level - I barely have now let alone with a screaming Rugrat in tow! It will be tough to stop altogether and I may be in a position to re-evaluate after Christmas but in the short-term at least I will be swapping muddy kit for pooey nappies!


I am hoping for a big end-of-season crowd at Fortress Cow Lane but I fear the weather may have something to say about that. Let's hope I cross the line on Saturday to avoid the embarrassment of finishing my career with the Naked Mile!

Why is it always Hertford?!

As you can probably tell from the title, it was not the triumphant end to the season which we were anticipating! In fact, Hertford rather put us to the sword in last Sunday’s County Cup Final - 40-5 the margin on a scorching Bank Holiday at Harpenden. A disappointing end to an otherwise positive season.
 
On match day, we were treated to Motts’ finest coach - usually reserved for Wycombe Wanders away trips. So we arrived in relative luxury on a fine and glorious day. The Herts Trophy game between Chess Valley and Verulamians was already underway - we were starkly reminded how far we had come as a team as we played in the same competition only a few years ago. 
 
We knew it would be a tough game. Hertford had narrowly beaten Bournemouth in a play off to secure promotion to National 2 and were riding a wave of confidence like a Kelly Slater! They were showing no mercy either, playing as near to a full strength side as possible. 
 
The game was hard, fast and physical. Hertford pressed our try line and some excellent last ditch defence kept them out. However, a lapse in concentration left Centre Ellis with an easy run in for the first try. Further quick thinking Hertford lead to a try for Compton and a strong run from the impressive Johnson left the score at a daunting 19-0 half way through the first half.

The returning Hugh Slater proving he's still got the magic!

We managed to pull ourselves together and put together some excellent phases. We gradually grew in confidence and started to use our dynamic backs - Nathan Lamden, JP and Tommy Newton running some excellent lines. We kept the ball well and peppered their line for the rest of the half, keeping our composure and patience. However, their ferocious and resolute defence kept us out and our hope started to fade.

It was much the same in the second half. We knew we had to score first if we had any chanced of clawing our way back and we Jon gave us a license to play freely. We started well too, Newts creating gaps in the Hertford line. But the execution wasn’t quite there - it was the last pass or last panicked off-load which didn’t quite make it to hand.

As realisation started to kick in, Hertford exposed our soft centre, scoring from their first meaningful attack of the half. Before we had a chance to reflect, we were under the sticks again, Hooker MacNamee put through a gap and off loading to Winger Riddle to make the score 33-0.

Rosey sticks it to 'em!

We did eventually trouble the scorers, Adam Cartwright-Howell finishing a break from the irrepressible Newts and we continued to enjoy good possession. As we pushed a little too hard, a handling error gifted Fly-half Manion a try leaving the score a debilitating 40-5. 
 
The reasons for such a heavy loss? It is easy to blame our preparations which were far from ideal, not having a full strength team at our disposal, an over-zealous trio of referee and touch judges enjoying the novelty of microphones rather than concentrating on the game! But in truth, we played a strong side who deserved the win.

Hertford had an innate confidence and air of total command which comes from having such a fantastic season. They gave off an air of invincibility which we need to learn from if we want to push up the table next year. But moreover it was their clinical execution that was so impressive. In defence they were ruthless and in attack precise. The overall score line flattered them greatly and didn’t reflect the effort we put in but it shows how costly momentary lapses are against good teams.

We were proud of the way we played though. A 50m sprint and superb try-saving tackle from Richie Roberts in the last minutes of the game seemed to sum up the uncompromising passion and determination of the team.

In the post match presentation, much was made by the Hertfordshire top brass of how Hertford deserved the win because they had played the previous rounds of the tournament. I hardly think we deserved such a slight. Indeed, the same top brass needs to make sure the tournament has the same pull and attraction as its counterparts to make sure teams don’t pull out. As I mentioned in a previous post, the Lancashire Cup draws a huge crowd and a full compliment of teams taking part. The Oxfordshire County Cup final was played at the iconic Iffley Road stadium in front of a bumper crowd. 
 
So the season has now finished and we have our Players’ Dinner this evening…which should be quite an evening!

As one season dies another is born

It seems my last few blog posts have been mentioning this mystical ‘end of season’ time but this really is the end of the serious stuff, I promise! The County Cup Final marks the official end of our 15-a-side season…then roll on the 7s!

The league finished two weeks ago with a conflicting home loss to Hertford - an encouraging performance but ultimately a disappointing loss to a top table side there for the picking. Now we find ourselves in the slightly bizarre position of reaching the Hertfordshire County Cup Final without playing a game! Our earlier round ties against Bishops Stortford and Letchworth were both cancelled, giving us a bye to the final.

The game has taken on extra significance as our opposition will be…Hertford. It is a chance for immediate revenge and to cap off a much improved season with some silverware. There are questions about the credibility of the cup as most participants field weakened teams, opting to concentrate on league success. However, with no other cup competition at our level and the league finished, it would certainly be a perfect opportunity for an enjoyable outing in the sun - weather permitting.

I have never won a final at senior level. I played in the Lancashire Cup Final for Waterloo, losing comprehensively to Preston Grasshoppers. We played at Sedgley Park in Bury on a beautiful day and in front of a large crowd. Unfortunately, nerves got the better of me and I had a shocker! So, from a personal point of view, I have a number of demons to exorcise on Sunday.

There are also a few issues surrounding availability which are slightly worrying. This unexpected fixture was not accounted for on the original match schedule so several of the boys had already arranged holidays with long-suffering wives/girlfriends. We have a couple of injuries and people whose bodies have simply had enough!

This offers an excellent opportunity to some of the younger players to start making a claim for next year’s first team shirts. It will be particularly good to see the likes of Josh Smith and Harry ‘Go Go Gadget arms’ Bloom field raise their respective profiles.

I am definitely looking forward to the game - which will be played at Harpenden RFC at 330pm Sunday 1^st May for those who are interested - and for once feel my fitness is in good shape! Instead of putting my feet up for the last couple of weeks, I have been working hard on sprints and fitness for one final blowout on Sunday and also as the Sevens season started in earnest last weekend.


The O-Unit

I am currently playing for Neil Fischer’s Otters team - a mixture of his old Loughborough friends. The team is now in its 11^th year and boasts an impressive pedigree. A respected regular on the domestic circuit, the Otters have also notched up some international experience, playing at Dubai, Copenhagen, Roma and Rimini. Needless to say, they are a top bunch and I hope to pull on the jersey a few more times this year.

On Saturday, the O-Unit competed in the Old Cats 7s in Caterham. It was a funny little tournament to be honest with a full and varied array of abilities on show. You get the feeling it’s not the most serious of tournaments when several of the opposition are wearing trainers!

As is customary at Sevens tournaments, we had an early scare against Oakthorpe - an Abingdon old boys side - but came through to win 36-22. We topped the group comfortably, beating John Fisher 2s 53-0 and Cow Tipping Penguins 51-12.

The tournament then noticeably stepped up in quality and we played local invitational side The Stags. The first half was close but we held our shape and pulled away in the second half - 36-10 the final score (I think!). The semi-final was against National 3 rivals Dorking. They were a very strong and physical side but also had dangerous pace as well. It was an exciting see-saw game but they proved a little too strong and quick for us, and we eventually lost out 32-21...or something like that! It’s difficult to keep track of the scores when your playing so many games.

Dorking went on to win the tournament, comfortably beating Warlingham in the final. Interestingly, Jimmy ‘No Shower’ Fouracre was playing for the Midwives who also got the semi-finals. But as they lost to the finalist who lost to Dorking by more than us, I think it’s safe to say we would have beaten them ;-)!!