14/12/13 Moles 13 Westcombe Park Gents 5 (45)
On a glorious day for rugby, original Moles Gary Theobald, Steve Weeks and Jim Hill returned to the field where the Moles' story began back in the black and white days of the late 20th century for a match that became the epitomy of the old adage, 'A game of two
halves'.
A lively pre-match dressing room saw the Moles in a confident and festive mood ahead of what was expected, in view of
the Gents' place in the Moles' history, to be another enjoyable and evenly matched encounter. However, eyebrows began to raise when the Gents started running out on to the pitch with just a token, grey haired old fogey admidst their ranks of 20 and early 30 something big lumps and toned whippets. Oh well, Moles rugby is never straight-forward and with a collective shrug of the
shoulders the Moles broke out of the huddle and got on with it.
And get on with it they certainly did, getting right into the Gents' faces from the first breakdown, defending defiantly,
particularly on their own line, forcing error after error from the Gents' younger players. In fact, the Moles dominated possession for most of the first half with several forays deep into the opposition half. However, despite all of the grit and determination, it was Westcombe Park who drew first blood to make it 5-0. On 20 minutes, loosehead prop Elvis received the ball at pace from scrum half
Nod with the kind of glee that the late 'King of Rock n' Roll' only reserved for deep fried peanut butter, banana and jelly
sandwiches in his latter days. But Mole Elvis demonstrated the moves of 'the' Elvis of 1956 as opposed to the bloated 1976 version; snake hipping his way (..sort of) over the gain line and past a couple of Gents before popping the ball back to Nod from the ensuing
tackle. This pressure ultimately led to the Gents conceding a penalty that was in perfect range for the latest 2nd generation Moles debutant Aaron Rayner. Unfortunately, on a windy day, Aaron's kick missed by the narrowest of margins but heads did not drop and the Moles finally drew level shortly afterwards when dad Brian Raynor took the ball over the
line.
Now well and truly back in the game, the Moles continued to rattle the Gents and another kickable penalty was conceded right in front of the posts. Raynor senior stepped up to slot the ball between the posts and put the Moles into the lead. Moles confidence was now starting to grow in abundance and it got even better when shortly before half time when Number 8, Gareth Moore in his final game as a 'Wannabe', scored a second try to make the score at the break 13-5.
This had been an absolutely awesome performance from the Moles against what was clearly a team of very good rugby players. Every man had given 110% and the lead was truly deserved. However, as stated in the first paragraph this was a game of two
halves! What happened in the second half was debated at length; the number of Moles' half time replacements, refereeing
decisions, the slope of the pitch, the wind and more being thrown into the mix of post match analysis. However, at the end of the day, the younger, fitter, bigger and, honestly, better team got their act together at half time and made all of these factors count. As in the first half, every Mole gave 110% especially when the team was reduced to 14 men when Jamie Raynor was yellow carded after one of those referee's decisions alluded to above. Standing out amongst the 110%ers was 'Mole of the Match' Merv Fowler who yet again sprinted up and down the wing, made his tackles, kept hold of the ball and was solid underneath it. Who said being friendly with sheep wasn't good for your rugby
This was a good game of rugby played in the right spirit until the final try when one of the Westcombe Park centres broke through and ran the best part of 50 metres to score between the posts, but neglected to touch the ball down for the try until the chasing
Shotgun was in close proximity. This was the behaviour of an utter 'knob' as opposed to a gent, more akin to the football field (as
was the dive by the full back that led to Raynor J's yellow card.....well, sort of..) and cheers went up as Shotgun followed through to make contact. Nonetheless, the post match Moles changing room was still full of festive cheer and philosophical thoughts about the
match. The team returned to Rectory Field to drink to Jim Gilham's next 55 years and to welcome Gareth Moore to the fold as Mole #78. The future is undoubtedly stronger by the addition of Gareth to the roster of Moles' players with 2nd team rugby experience alongside Jim Gilham and Gordon 'Q' McQuaid. Now that he is a Mole, the Gannets, 3s and 2s skippers
need not text Gareth ahead of every third Saturday because the Moles is much much more than a rugby team!
Line up: Elvis, El Tel, Brucey, Velcro, Garry Hodges, Ork, Brian Rayner, Gareth Moore, Nod, Andy Dadson, Shotgun, Toks, Mick
Terry, Adam Jenkins, Merv, #1, Oily, Philthy, Squeeksy, Big Bri, Aaron Rayner, Jamie Rayner, Q, Neil Martin
On a glorious day for rugby, original Moles Gary Theobald, Steve Weeks and Jim Hill returned to the field where the Moles' story began back in the black and white days of the late 20th century for a match that became the epitomy of the old adage, 'A game of two
halves'.
A lively pre-match dressing room saw the Moles in a confident and festive mood ahead of what was expected, in view of
the Gents' place in the Moles' history, to be another enjoyable and evenly matched encounter. However, eyebrows began to raise when the Gents started running out on to the pitch with just a token, grey haired old fogey admidst their ranks of 20 and early 30 something big lumps and toned whippets. Oh well, Moles rugby is never straight-forward and with a collective shrug of the
shoulders the Moles broke out of the huddle and got on with it.
And get on with it they certainly did, getting right into the Gents' faces from the first breakdown, defending defiantly,
particularly on their own line, forcing error after error from the Gents' younger players. In fact, the Moles dominated possession for most of the first half with several forays deep into the opposition half. However, despite all of the grit and determination, it was Westcombe Park who drew first blood to make it 5-0. On 20 minutes, loosehead prop Elvis received the ball at pace from scrum half
Nod with the kind of glee that the late 'King of Rock n' Roll' only reserved for deep fried peanut butter, banana and jelly
sandwiches in his latter days. But Mole Elvis demonstrated the moves of 'the' Elvis of 1956 as opposed to the bloated 1976 version; snake hipping his way (..sort of) over the gain line and past a couple of Gents before popping the ball back to Nod from the ensuing
tackle. This pressure ultimately led to the Gents conceding a penalty that was in perfect range for the latest 2nd generation Moles debutant Aaron Rayner. Unfortunately, on a windy day, Aaron's kick missed by the narrowest of margins but heads did not drop and the Moles finally drew level shortly afterwards when dad Brian Raynor took the ball over the
line.
Now well and truly back in the game, the Moles continued to rattle the Gents and another kickable penalty was conceded right in front of the posts. Raynor senior stepped up to slot the ball between the posts and put the Moles into the lead. Moles confidence was now starting to grow in abundance and it got even better when shortly before half time when Number 8, Gareth Moore in his final game as a 'Wannabe', scored a second try to make the score at the break 13-5.
This had been an absolutely awesome performance from the Moles against what was clearly a team of very good rugby players. Every man had given 110% and the lead was truly deserved. However, as stated in the first paragraph this was a game of two
halves! What happened in the second half was debated at length; the number of Moles' half time replacements, refereeing
decisions, the slope of the pitch, the wind and more being thrown into the mix of post match analysis. However, at the end of the day, the younger, fitter, bigger and, honestly, better team got their act together at half time and made all of these factors count. As in the first half, every Mole gave 110% especially when the team was reduced to 14 men when Jamie Raynor was yellow carded after one of those referee's decisions alluded to above. Standing out amongst the 110%ers was 'Mole of the Match' Merv Fowler who yet again sprinted up and down the wing, made his tackles, kept hold of the ball and was solid underneath it. Who said being friendly with sheep wasn't good for your rugby
This was a good game of rugby played in the right spirit until the final try when one of the Westcombe Park centres broke through and ran the best part of 50 metres to score between the posts, but neglected to touch the ball down for the try until the chasing
Shotgun was in close proximity. This was the behaviour of an utter 'knob' as opposed to a gent, more akin to the football field (as
was the dive by the full back that led to Raynor J's yellow card.....well, sort of..) and cheers went up as Shotgun followed through to make contact. Nonetheless, the post match Moles changing room was still full of festive cheer and philosophical thoughts about the
match. The team returned to Rectory Field to drink to Jim Gilham's next 55 years and to welcome Gareth Moore to the fold as Mole #78. The future is undoubtedly stronger by the addition of Gareth to the roster of Moles' players with 2nd team rugby experience alongside Jim Gilham and Gordon 'Q' McQuaid. Now that he is a Mole, the Gannets, 3s and 2s skippers
need not text Gareth ahead of every third Saturday because the Moles is much much more than a rugby team!
Line up: Elvis, El Tel, Brucey, Velcro, Garry Hodges, Ork, Brian Rayner, Gareth Moore, Nod, Andy Dadson, Shotgun, Toks, Mick
Terry, Adam Jenkins, Merv, #1, Oily, Philthy, Squeeksy, Big Bri, Aaron Rayner, Jamie Rayner, Q, Neil Martin