Ran Out of Gas?

History would suggest that Old B’s are a bit of a bogey side for us, always seemingly finding a way to just about out gun us…..could it possibly be our turn?

With the team numbers down to the bare minimum and many regular stalwarts absent we began the day wondering and worrying how the troops would react to fitting into different positions, forming new partnerships and, in one particular case, stepping onto the rugby pitch for the first time! We needn’t have wasted our time worrying. The “Clevedon Massive” shot out of the blocks from the off showing some truly fantastic unselfish and intelligent rugby. The tackling was resolute and unbreakable, playing like a finely tuned machine rather than a bunch of players who’d been thrown together at the last minute. The first 15 minutes flew by with the Clevedon teamwork resulting in two great trys. The first saw a nice passage of play with “Mr Ramraid Rudsta” punching through a gap (Haskell Style), being stopped just short, but to his credit, still having the presence of mind to keep the ball available and offload to the ever-present and no doubt grateful David (who I must really find a nick name for – he’s definitely earned that right). The second was deservedly grabbed by our flying Welshman after another good passage of play, who was simply the heart beat of the team and at the centre of everything good.

The second quarter saw Old Bristolians wake up and a far more even contest ensued. I sensed our lads thought they were in for an easier day than expected (or the job was done) and so lowered their game by 20%, with tackling, passing and teamwork less apparent than the first 15mins. This opened the door for Old B’s and they snuck one back just before the half hour mark. The third quarter was more of the same with Clevedon getting tired and sustaining a few minor injuries. And so the excuses began to mount up and the game was eventually levelled at 2 trys apiece after three quarters of an hour played with an additional final quarter to go. However instead of standing up to the challenge and taking it on, our chaps simply seemed to implode and run out of gas. The passing stopped. The tackling was left to the usual suspects. And the Teamwork, which was incredible at the start of the day, was now barely recognisable. Old habits started creeping in, players began turning on their teammates looking for someone to blame and when that wasn’t appropriate the finger was pointed in the direction of the referee. After battering the try line on several attempts eventually a score for Old B’s was the predictable outcome much to the delight of the travelling support. And so that’s how we ended up, 3 trys to 2, with a show of the best and worst that Clevedon can offer. The superb first quarter in total contrast to the lack of cohesion and teamwork in the last. But I’ll take that. It’s human nature to take your foot off the pedal if your winning and things are going well. It’s human nature to try and find reasons for why things are going wrong, and completely natural to blame others before looking at oneself. It’s human nature to panic and try to put things right yourself, however rugby doesn’t really reward the effort of an individual, it rewards the efforts of a team. And I’m sure that trust (in others in the team) is a lot closer today than it was a year ago. We need to remember fixtures are simply competitive training sessions. The result doesn’t matter. What matters is whether we became better players, coaches, referees, supporters…………..and I’ve no doubt that was a big tick for nearly all involved. Let’s not forget, Old B’s are a very high quality side with some seriously outstanding runners and passers of the ball. The fact we pushed them close again with some key players unavailable is a sign we are definitely developing in the right direction and that our day will come sooner or later. McCauly deservedly took MOTM for his relentless positive involvement and Josh was recognised as most improved for his surprising but most welcome input to the tackle count (long may it continue and improve). Big hand up to Oscar on his debut. I could go on, but yet again my ramblings are far in excess of my targeted word count!

So rounding up: Ravaged by a long list of injuries England entered the dragons den on Friday night to kick off the 2015 six nations. They stood for what must have been 5 mins out in the middle of the millennium stadium in the dark, and after a lightshow, fireworks, flames and unbearably loud music – more akin to a WWE Royal Rumble Smash Down (or whatever it’s called) the Welsh eventually had the decency to join them!!!!! Anyway I digress, the point is: a seemingly “weakened” English side threw together an excellent team performance and upset the host nation. On paper The Clevedon boys were “weakened”, but not in reality. For the most part everyone pulled together and played for one another as a TEAM. A team will usually beat a collection of individuals, no matter how talented they may be, and this is our next step. We need to trust and respect each man in the Blue and Gold, and play for him as much as ourselves – if you do, your rugby will transform, and your enjoyment of it (whatever the result) will go through the roof ………..unless the roof is on, and obviously that would change things completely!!!!

One final brag from yours truly, I can’t resist. Check out my words from last weeks report concerning my prediction for the outcome of Wales Vs England:

“because mighty England have reigned supreme in their backyard, with an outstanding masterclass from young George Ford”

………Oh Yessss nailed it again!