Berkshire Shire Hall R.F.C.

The Aldermaston Match Report – Or how writing a match report from the second row is quite difficult, especially when you’re unfit.
It was a good start to the day when most of the squad made the meet time, with El Captain been the major exception. Though he did eventually surface during the warm up, where he came racing across the field sporting a pair of man Ugg boots. The best way to describe the sight was it kind of looked like someone had put clogs on an orangutan.

The good start carried onto the field, and in the first quarter of the game Shire Hall managed to create a two try advantage. The first try came from Bass as he cut through the midfield to score under the posts. Here in lies the problem of writing the match report from the second row, as for the second try I spent most of the build up lying on the ground after receiving a knee to the head in a ruck leading up to the try, so I have no idea who scored or how. I have since been informed that was Chris Walker touching down in the corner.

As half time approached Aldermaston raised their game and Shire Hall did not respond, leading to Aldermaston replying with two tries of their own. So the half time score was two tries apiece, 12 – 12, setting up a tense second half.

With the coach’s words ringing in our ears, Shirehall raised their game for the second half, and scored a further four tries to win the match.

The first try of the half came from Tom Brown, in his first game back from injury. Again I didn’t see it as I was at the bottom of a ruck, but the description of the try I was given was ‘Tom drawing players before going in’. Personally I imagine him standing out on the wing drawing the match, for some reason I imagine Tom would use charcoal as his medium, while wearing a red beret, before putting down his easel and scoring in the corner, losing his beret while diving across the line.

Shire Hall’s fourth try of the match came from Neil Evans as he crashed through three Aldermaston players from about 20m out to touch down under the post. Though this was a selfish try given the speed that Hall had out on the wing, me and Brian. He denied the capacity crowd the chance to our free flowing backs skills.

The fifth try was from Bass, scoring his second try of the game. His description of the try was “I caught the ball behind my own line, beat 3 men, stopped for some crisps n a chat and then rounded the fullback to score under the sticks I think.” Personally I find it a bit suspicious, crisps sound a bit too posh for Bass.

Shire’s final try came from Chris Walker. Again I missed most of the build up as the try came from a scrum, so by the time I looked up I just caught Chris scoring under the posts. But Chris did describe Bass’s pass as been Barnes Wallis-esque.

The scoring was finished by Aldermaston, whose full back streaked the majority of the pitch to score. The final score was 40 -19, with Scott Thompson remembered to bring his kicking boots and getting five conversions.

Man of the Match
Tom Brown

Honourable Mention
Andy Carson, who racked up 100 appearances for Shirehall. Who also apparently has nostrils of steel as he managed to scrum behind Plastic without once complaining about the stench of his kit. I only had to do it once and it was the as if foul beast Cerberus* himself was breathing down my throat.

Doc

* Note for forwards, Cerberus was the three headed hound** who guarded the gates of Hades in Greek mythology.

** Note for Neil, hound is another word for dog.

Date: Saturday 6th February 2010
Opposition: Aldermaston
Competition: League AND Berkshire Plate Semi-Final
Venue: Home
Kick Off: 1.45 pm
Meet: 12.15 PROMPT
Dress: No 1s

1. Brian Cooper (167-15)
2. Dave Pearce (29-10)
3. Plastic (C) (195-120)
4. Andy Carson (99-5)
5. Stuart Clarke (34-0)
6. Neil Evans (294-145)
7. Tom Fisher (6-0)
8. Ritchie Denver (52-65)
9. Sam Watkins (87-47)
10. Scott Thompson (9-35)
11. Sean Mathe (7-0)
12. Paul Bassinder (80-125)
13. Chris Walker (52-45)
14. John Morris (36-12)
15. Jerry Godfrey (749-2520)

16. Tom Brown (73-115)
17. Dave Nesbitt (6-5)
18. Conrad Williams (206-225)

ALL PLAYERS TO CONFIRM AVAILABILITY WITH PLASTIC OR DAVE IF NOT DONE SO ALREADY

RESULT: Shire Hall 40 Aldermaston 19
Scorers: Paul Bassinder (2 tries), Chris Walker (2 tries), Tom Brown (1 try), Neil Evans (1 try), Scott Thompson (5 conversions)
Man Of The Match: Tom Brown

At the moment, we have no fixture arranged. Brian will be going on the fixture exchange to find us one. We have not played since December 12 so it is important that we do something on Saturday in preparation for the League and Berkshire Cup double header against Aldermaston on February 6th. If we are unable to find a fixture, Coach Thomas would like all available players to be at the club for 12.30 for a training session to be followed by some beers and rugby on the TV.
PLEASE CONFIRM YOUR AVAILABILITY TO PLASTIC OR DAVE

Meet Time: 12.30
Squad:
1. Paul Bassinder
2. Tom Brown
3. Andy Carson
4. Brian Cooper
5. Ben Cullen
6. Ritchie Denver
7. Andy Dodson
8. Neil Evans
9. Tom Fisher
10. Charlie Fox
11. Jerry Godfrey
12. Peter Joles
13. Sean Mathe
14. John Morris
15. Dave Nesbitt
16. Tim O’Sullivan
17. Dave Pearce
18. Mark Pye
19. Stuart Ribbons
20. Vinnie Sheehy
21. Scott Thompson
22. Sam Watkins
23. Rhys Williams

Opposition: Farnham Royal
Competition: League
Venue:Home
Kick Off: 2.30pm
Meet Time: 1.00pm
Dress:No 1s

1. Charlie Fox (0-0)
2. Dave Pearce (29-10)
3. Plastic (C) (195-120)
4. Andy Carson (99-5)
5. Neil Evans (294-145)
6. Rhys Williams (19-0)
7. Tom Fisher (6-0)
8. Ritchie Denver (52-65)
9. Tom Brown (73-115)
10.Tim O’Sullivan (68-72)
11. Vinnie Sheehy (134-10)
12. Peter Joles (37-52)
13. Paul Bassinder (80-125)
14. John Morris (36-12)
15. Sam Watkins (87-47)

16. Stuart Ribbons (120-105)
17. Sean Mathe (7-0)
18. Mark Pye (96-102)
19. Lee Brewer (110-241)
20. Jerry Godfrey (749-2520)
21. Greg Darby (76-42)

ALL PLAYERS TO CONFIRM AVAILABILITY WITH PLASTIC OR DAVE PEARCE PLEASE

Opposition: Bracknell III
Competition: League
Venue: Away
Kick Off: 2.30pm
Meet Time: 12.30 at the Club or 1.30 at Bracknell
Dress: No 1s

MATCH DAY SQUAD

1. Andy Carson
2. Stuart Clarke
3. Brian Cooper
4. Ben Cullen
5. Ritchie Denver
6. Andy Dodson
7. Neil Evans
8. Tom Fisher
9. Sam Fothergill
10. Jerry Godfrey
11. Roger Griffiths
12. Pete Joles
13. Sean Mathe
14. Alisdair McCormick (C)
15. John Morris
16. Dave Nesbitt
17. Tim O’Sullivan
18. Dave Pearce
19. Mark Pye
20. Stuart Ribbons
21. Vinnie Sheehy
22. Scott Thompson
23. Chris Walker
24. Delroy Wheeler
25. Conrad Williams
26. Rhys Williams

ALL PLAYERS TO CONFIRM AVAILABILITY WITH PLASTIC OR DAVE PEARCE.
MATCH SUBJECT TO WEATHER CONDITIONS – DECISION TO BE MADE LATER!!