A true rugby team

The U17s this weekend achieved new heights, discovering the true spirit of rugby - emphasising the word "spirit". Basically this involved (for much of the team)...

• Organising an 18th birthday party the evening before an away game


• Attending said party in large numbers and fully participating in the disposal of the refreshments provided


• Leaving said party in the early hours very tired and emotional


• Getting about 4-5 hours sleep


• Meeting at the club early on Sunday morning in a condition only to expected by the above


• Consuming large quantities of Lucazade and paracetamol en route


• Defend like demons against one of the most exciting and fastest back lines around


• Score three tries, largely against the run of play


• Convert two of the the tries


• Win 19-15


• Declare that "we play much better with hangovers"

Perhaps one observation would be that temporarily killing off most of the higher brain functions (including the ability to feel pain, it would seem) seemed to make everyone play by instinct - the result being some staggering tackling (especially by Hayley) and the fantastic first try where H was tackled while running at full speed, almost did a complete somersault, but still got the ball away to Nim who went over to tie the scores at 5-5 at the end of the first half.

Of course there were downsides. The lifters in the line out temporarily forgetting about the laws of gravity did deprive the team of Nichola for part of the game as unfortunately she had not been at the party and so had not developed an immunity to pain, but even she came back later on.

But seriously it was a terrific game. Considering the hiding Westcliff gave virtually the same team only two weeks before it was an amazing turnround. Everyone played superbly, some in somewhat makeshift positions. Some 80% of the game was in our half, but we never gave up, came back from behind on three occasions, and stole the game with a typical Hayley try (and Nim's boot) at the end.

Unfortunately suggestions that the pre-match regime be repeated on a regular basis has not won much favour. So let's see if we can repeat this performance when sober when we play Basildon and Saracens on 4th March!

And finally thanks to Westcliff - great sports again - for introducing the team to a whole new post-match routine! Lots of ideas now for the tour....

• Phil's action pictures now on the archive