23/11/13 Moles 10 Footscray Vets 0
On a glorious day for rugby, a strong Moles squad took on the veritable gentlemen of Footcray Vets on the 'Banana 2' pitch at Rectory Field.
Starting as they meant to go on, the Moles came off stronger in the early rucks and lineouts and initially held their own against Footcray's heavier and very experienced pack in the scrum. Nonetheless, it felt for a while that this match was going to be another example of the Moles' tendency to enjoy the greater part of possession without ever converting their domination into points. However, on twenty minutes great work from the Moles' forwards in the maul resulted in a line out on the Footscray 5 metre line
that ultimately led to 'Big Bri' Williams taking the ball over the line. The 'leech' ball encouraged by coach 'Squeeksy' at recent training
sessions clearly a big factor.
Shortly afterwards it was time for the backs to put down their lipsticks. Another great kick from fly half Andy Dadson was gathered and moved forward with purpose through the midfield by Graeme 'Shotgun' Trigg who yet again rode a challenge to neatly
offload the ball to the charging bull that is Neil 'Jobbo' Jobbins who sprinted in glorious slow motion to take the ball over the line.
To go off on a slight tangeant, some readers may not be aware that the laws in U7 mini rugby have changed this season including , to promote a free flowing game, slight knock ons and forward passes being allowed. It is good to see that our U7 head coach, Marc 'Lloydy' Lloyd, has fully embraced these changes and in turn provided the comedy moment of the first half by producing one of
the straightest ever forward passes ever seen on a rugby field. Half the quarter backs in the NFL would have been proud of it!! We love our Lloydy x
In the latter part of the second half, the Footscray scrum began to dominate pushing the Moles pack back at a fair rate of knots but Mole of the Match Number 8 Gareth Moore and scrum half Jeff 'Nod' Saward were outstanding in getting the ball out at the back time after time. Halftime 10-0.
The second half was scoreless but not without incident. With an abundance of talent on the touchline, the Moleys were able to (among the usual wholesale changes) bring on Gary '#1' Theobald for his first bow of the season and Phil 'Philthy' Papworth to take on the might of the Footscray front row, and a like for like swap (sort of.....ish) in the second row with Adrian 'Velcro' Perrett coming on to replace Mark 'Oaf' Armitage. The Moles came close when Ian 'Oily' Martin received a pass from Neil Martin to side step the 'Cray full back, make the best part of 5 metres with a tackler hanging off his shorts and only needing to stretch out his arm with the ball to score - but he didn't! Readers will be pleased to hear that his twin sons, and talented members of the GRFC U11s squad, Charles and Henry were on hand to witness their father's shortcoming and have given him nothing but stick since.
Another great chance was missed when that ball greedy so and so 'Toks' ignored a three man overlap only to be stopped, jeered and rewarded with a forfeit pint and a stand on a chair later that in the evening. In his final appearance as a 'wannabe' Mole, Velcro was moved from the second row into Lloydy's 'comedy half' position and the audience was rewarded with a fantastic pass straight into touch. A late cameo from respected former GRFC 1st team fly half Damian Pender demonstrated the Moles' ability to drag anyone down to their level as an uncharacteristic forward pass added to the impressive scrum count and the Footcray pack's attempts to plough up 'Banana 2'
using the Moles' pack's studs.
The gentlemen of Footscray stayed long into the evening and treated the GRFC patrons to a song or two before heading home.
This is a great fixture always played in the finest spirit of the great game of rugby football and the return in the new year is eagerly awaited. The Moles' evening featured the awarding of the much coveted 'Moles Tie' to Moles #76 and #77 in Adrian Perrett and Andy Dadson - well done fellas - and pressed on to The Millers Cottage to dance and sing along with Mole Harrington's band 'The Sunday Roast'. Elvis had to leave the building early but yet again the day proved that the Moles are much more than a rugby
team!
Line up: Elvis, El Tel, Brucey, Oaf, Big Bri, Posty, Sam Holden, Gareth Moore, Nod, Andy Dadson, Merv, Jobbo, Shotgun, Lloydy, Brian Rayner, #1, Philthy, Velcro, Garry Hodges, Oily, Ork, Toks, Mick Terry, Neil Martin, Adam Jenkins, Damian Pender
On a glorious day for rugby, a strong Moles squad took on the veritable gentlemen of Footcray Vets on the 'Banana 2' pitch at Rectory Field.
Starting as they meant to go on, the Moles came off stronger in the early rucks and lineouts and initially held their own against Footcray's heavier and very experienced pack in the scrum. Nonetheless, it felt for a while that this match was going to be another example of the Moles' tendency to enjoy the greater part of possession without ever converting their domination into points. However, on twenty minutes great work from the Moles' forwards in the maul resulted in a line out on the Footscray 5 metre line
that ultimately led to 'Big Bri' Williams taking the ball over the line. The 'leech' ball encouraged by coach 'Squeeksy' at recent training
sessions clearly a big factor.
Shortly afterwards it was time for the backs to put down their lipsticks. Another great kick from fly half Andy Dadson was gathered and moved forward with purpose through the midfield by Graeme 'Shotgun' Trigg who yet again rode a challenge to neatly
offload the ball to the charging bull that is Neil 'Jobbo' Jobbins who sprinted in glorious slow motion to take the ball over the line.
To go off on a slight tangeant, some readers may not be aware that the laws in U7 mini rugby have changed this season including , to promote a free flowing game, slight knock ons and forward passes being allowed. It is good to see that our U7 head coach, Marc 'Lloydy' Lloyd, has fully embraced these changes and in turn provided the comedy moment of the first half by producing one of
the straightest ever forward passes ever seen on a rugby field. Half the quarter backs in the NFL would have been proud of it!! We love our Lloydy x
In the latter part of the second half, the Footscray scrum began to dominate pushing the Moles pack back at a fair rate of knots but Mole of the Match Number 8 Gareth Moore and scrum half Jeff 'Nod' Saward were outstanding in getting the ball out at the back time after time. Halftime 10-0.
The second half was scoreless but not without incident. With an abundance of talent on the touchline, the Moleys were able to (among the usual wholesale changes) bring on Gary '#1' Theobald for his first bow of the season and Phil 'Philthy' Papworth to take on the might of the Footscray front row, and a like for like swap (sort of.....ish) in the second row with Adrian 'Velcro' Perrett coming on to replace Mark 'Oaf' Armitage. The Moles came close when Ian 'Oily' Martin received a pass from Neil Martin to side step the 'Cray full back, make the best part of 5 metres with a tackler hanging off his shorts and only needing to stretch out his arm with the ball to score - but he didn't! Readers will be pleased to hear that his twin sons, and talented members of the GRFC U11s squad, Charles and Henry were on hand to witness their father's shortcoming and have given him nothing but stick since.
Another great chance was missed when that ball greedy so and so 'Toks' ignored a three man overlap only to be stopped, jeered and rewarded with a forfeit pint and a stand on a chair later that in the evening. In his final appearance as a 'wannabe' Mole, Velcro was moved from the second row into Lloydy's 'comedy half' position and the audience was rewarded with a fantastic pass straight into touch. A late cameo from respected former GRFC 1st team fly half Damian Pender demonstrated the Moles' ability to drag anyone down to their level as an uncharacteristic forward pass added to the impressive scrum count and the Footcray pack's attempts to plough up 'Banana 2'
using the Moles' pack's studs.
The gentlemen of Footscray stayed long into the evening and treated the GRFC patrons to a song or two before heading home.
This is a great fixture always played in the finest spirit of the great game of rugby football and the return in the new year is eagerly awaited. The Moles' evening featured the awarding of the much coveted 'Moles Tie' to Moles #76 and #77 in Adrian Perrett and Andy Dadson - well done fellas - and pressed on to The Millers Cottage to dance and sing along with Mole Harrington's band 'The Sunday Roast'. Elvis had to leave the building early but yet again the day proved that the Moles are much more than a rugby
team!
Line up: Elvis, El Tel, Brucey, Oaf, Big Bri, Posty, Sam Holden, Gareth Moore, Nod, Andy Dadson, Merv, Jobbo, Shotgun, Lloydy, Brian Rayner, #1, Philthy, Velcro, Garry Hodges, Oily, Ork, Toks, Mick Terry, Neil Martin, Adam Jenkins, Damian Pender