Landslide in the Valley

Wow.

Sometimes on a rugby pitch it all comes together and seems so effortless and natural, and on Sunday morning we really were a very special outfit indeed. However it very much needs to be pointed out that Gordano, with whom we normally have a good battle, were unfortunately undermanned and under strength due to a sickness bug, so I shall try not to get too carried away. Whether the score line reflects quite how good we were or precisely how much Sharks were missing their regulars will become apparent as the season progresses. Although I do very much get the impression that of the nineteen trys that we ran in, most were a product of intelligent teamwork and there’s a good chance would likely have been successful no matter who the opposition. In fact the first eight trys were scored by 8 different players, in 8 different positions, that in itself is evidence of the very healthy “team” ethos that is beginning to emerge.

Rugby, in my opinion, is the game over all others where teamwork is the most important thing. To an “outsider” the idea that someone would position themselves on the floor in such a manner as to willingly be stamped on and kicked in order for someone else in the same coloured top to progress a funny shaped ball up a muddy field must surly seem utter madness! But thousands of people do it, week in week out. They throw themselves headlong towards each other. They dive and slide around the floor. They push each other with their heads and shoulders. They even throw each other in the air! It has to be said all of these things in isolation are seemingly both ridiculous and completely unnatural, but mix it all up with a few laws and we have a seriously good game. In a world gone mad on health & safety it’s a small wonder how we’re still getting away with it !!!!!! And that’s possibly why we all still watch, play and teach this sport, because there’s nothing else quite like it. It doesn’t make sense to continually allow yourself to be hurt for the good of other people and the sake of a scoreline, but players do, and they love it. That’s as basic as teamwork gets. Sure, a beautifully crafted three quarters move, or a 20 meter rolling maul requires teamwork of sorts, but that’s usually a result of training repetition. The teamwork I love, admire and crave is the more unselfish and sacrificial type. I’ll take the tackle because if I do I can give the ball to you in free space. I’ll keep going until I’m dragged to the deck by 3 of them because I know that somewhere that’s created a gap in their defence. I’ll drive headfirst into this ruck to clear it because the guy behind me might get a cleaner ball. That’s teamwork, and that’s what I saw on Sunday. So thanks team it really was a privilege to watch. I’ve played the game once or twice so I’m also in the lucky position of knowing how it would have felt to you the players.

There was another winner on the day that almost sneaked through unnoticed. In amongst the high fives and congratulatory chat it would be easy to overlook another plus for the day. Attitude. People listened at the huddle. We didn’t back chat or question the referee. We played with smiles on our faces. Of course I appreciate it’s easier to be honourable and well behaved when you are winning convincingly, but you still have to do it. But it could also be argued we won convincingly because we listened, because we didn’t back chat, because we accepted the referee is human and right or wrong the decision is not going to change, because we played with smiles on our faces ? Almost final point (I’m trying to wrap up….honest). I’ve played and seen many one sided games at all levels and generally speaking it’s only at elite level that players have the maturity, understanding and discipline to keep doing the same thing. Usually as the score mounts people get lazy, they start trying to do silly things they’ve seen on telly, and they become very selfish as they try to get on the score sheet for their own personal gain. Unbelievably, we didn’t really seem to succumb to much of this at all, maybe a bit of laziness, but I can afford you that one after all it’s the lesser of the three sins, and to be fair I’ve actually seen more athletic doughnuts than half our team!!!!!

I genuinely don’t care who eventually crosses the line to score, it’s more about how the ball got there, but here’s the list of them nevertheless. The Welsh Wizard started things off within a minute and went on to manage 4 trys in total proving that fullbacks do actually get the ball occasionally! Captain KFC got a hatrick, as did fellow battering ram Rudsta. A further 4 for The Tornado ending his minor drought of late. A great try from our very own Courtney Lawes – David “the destructor”. Fantastic game from big Sam (former Shark) was capped with a lovely little dart through. At last a notch from Big Bad Banksy – hopefully a sign of things to come. Dan the Man sneaked over from close distance after a beautifully timed run following a wonderful offload out of trouble from Rudy (second week in a row he’s done this – a really good habit to get into). But try of the day went to Matt “The Cat” who couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing (along with the rest of Northern Europe) when Mac crossed the line and then unselfishly passed to his willing teammate on the wing who’d made the effort to support him. What a fantastic gesture from a young man who has seriously grown up and changed his rugby attitude in the last few months. This act summed up Macs day, and so was deservedly rewarded with MOTM for his all round performance but especially his passing, or at least willingness to pass. Most Improved went to Samuel who seamlessly fitted into the side in only his second outing for the Royal Blue and Old Gold of Clevedon, and looking very much the part. To be honest it was very difficult to single out players for awards on a day where everyone excelled, however just a couple of other mentions - Chas was brutal in the tackle he’s really becoming a bit of a specialist now he’s hitting a couple of millimetres lower! Also it has to be said the whole show was conducted from 9 and 10, an amazing duel effort over the last fortnight to get the ball to the right places at the right times, I’m looking forward to watching this partnership blossom further in 2015. Finally thank you to all the guys that squeezed into a Sharks jersey. It’s great to play for other teams, it gives you a rare perspective of your own team and of your personal value as a player, but I won’t get started on that I’ve rambled on sufficiently and Christmas is coming………….

So that marks the end of competitive rugby for 2014, with a layoff for training, Christmas parties etc. and sees us a third of the way through the season already. We have very much evolved this autumn and I can’t wait for the New Year when we visit closest rivals Yatton to see if it was all a fluke yesterday!