Wet underfoot, but otherwise, excellent conditions to play Sargentina Trophy rugby.
Quite a few players decided for nebulous reasons that they couldn't play today, and a few who were under an injury cloud fronted up, so I know who's on my short list for Keith of the Year. But for once, coaching staff were calm and un-panicked which along with the general upbeat mood of the rest of the guys, gave a positive air of confidence in the Keith Pavillion contrary to the actual air in the Pavillion which is full of dirt, dead skin, beer and general mold spores.
Muncher gave a pre-match speech about something, but I for one wasn't listening. Apparently his wife's a gynecologist or something. Trouty didn't say much. Chief didn't say much. Poacher didn't say much. Only because we knew what we had to do and simply got our heads into the right space without being mummy and daddied into it. I prefer it that way to be honest.

Christchurch, in their pre-game run around, looked like they were having player/position issues or general lack of inventive skills issues. Probably both, and due to us playing each other so often, they were quite noticable; so we pounced on those and gave the team some good options on how to handle their weaknesses. Jesus, we're sounding like a real fucking team now boys.

Georgie had his first starting go and looked exactly like he always looks. A sad puppy who's just noticed the sack, the brick and the large bucket of water. But he had a non shabby 40 minutes. Certainly non shabbier than a lot of wingers we've had in the past (and present). Breen, yet another Irish gob, started to get a bit stroppy about not starting. I think the ginger hair dye is effecting him. Speaking of gingers, the change from soccer to rugby for young Jared has worked out well. He's been ever so close to the try line several times but managed in style to cross over today after some marvelous periods of play. Plus, he's got a hot missus, so we'll keep him.
Vinny had difficulty pushing his way through the Christchurch back line but kept at it, probing further everytime until the last time when he did something medical to his leg of which Sean's hot missus came to the rescue and poked and prodded and jiggeried it about till he was able to stand again.
Dick had some good spurts but never quite followed through to the finish (which is what Ginny always says). Tevi also never quite made it through to the try line but Daz and Bavo took their opportunites when presented to them and dotted down with style. Daz winning his MVP in the process. Uli gave yet another fine 60 minutes and pieman gave 20, of which half was spent in the bin for doing something blah blah penalty try blah blah. Who knows these things.

Often, I write about stand out players but today, it really was a 100% team effort. And all because we were in the right head space from the very start. People scoff, but rugby is the top 6 inches.

I know I promised a swearing session, but fuck it, those cunts simply aren't worth it.

Woman on the radio said the rain would stop. Liar. Nevertheless, Keith fronted up with a team worthy of the name to battle Shirley Not The Wankers on their Club Day on Home Soil. Always good to beat them on those occasions if possible, and possible it was. Notwithstanding all the no shows from skitteries for reasons as weak as my pull out game. But that meant, Poacher and Toad and Chief took to the field. Even if one of them couldn't catch a ball if you threw it at him.

From the very first moment when Kev caught the kick off ball and stormed ahead, we were always three gears ahead of a uninventive and slow Shirley team. They seemed for the most part, two steps behind every move we made, every breath we took. And I was watching them.
Even Mr Jones looked good. Mr Stewart had a few problems in the cold and wet securing the lineout ball, but whatever errors made there were made up for in all other areas of his play. That one's a keeper, if we can.
Sean, Sam, Kevvy. There's not much too say except they keep on doing exactly what they're supposed to do every time, all the time. They're a pleasure to watch. Muncher was constantly in the refs ear and I'm not sure how much that contributed or altered the penalty count but one voice speaking is a trend we need to get used to. It seems to work.

One would have thought Tom would be used to playing footy in the wet, but it appears he much prefers playing in the dry as his kicking for touch didn't always happen and his kicking for goal also went awry. Dick put his big boy pants on and took over converting tries to make up any shortfall so that was good.
As mentioned earlier, Poacher started the game and didn't break down hardly ever once. Maybe the old man still has it in him? But, let's not talk about Toad.

Always impressed with Johnny Luxton on the wing, but young Jared had a blinder of 60 minutes on the paddock. A well deserved MVP. Cool and collected under pressure and able to pressurise the opposition when needed. Another winger who stepped up his confidence game was Brad, who it seems, responds well to clear simple guidance and gives us clear simple straightforward play in return. Hopefully his efforts will not go unrewarded in future games.

With about 20 minutes to go, the rain became too heavy for me to take any further photographs or videos, so I didn't.

Keith Galore on the Sideline! Not a usual Saturday wish, but an actual event. Was damn good to see Coves everywhere supporting the lads in this must win if we want to win the Classics Cup game.
Sonny Phil, of course was rearing to go in his 150th Keith appearance. Bravo, not so visibly keen for his 150th, but I'm betting he was secretly frothing on the inside. It's always brilliant when Keiths reach important milestones in their career. Not that free beer is an incentive or anything.

Sydenham, at top of the table, are quite our nemesis, losing to them exactly 3 times more than we have beaten them (since 1995 anyway) but today's game was another example of why Classics grade is so important. No one's getting their arse kicked on the points board and everyone has an equally good time on and off the field. Sausages included.

Let's start with the Skitteries. Jesus wept they were brilliant. Cal stepped up and slotted into Tom's spot when Tom decided having a wank at work was importanter than rugby time. Unfortunately, Cal didn't slot as many kicks as Tom usually does, so three tries went unconverted, but hey ho, he kicks better than I can. Ross left the field early to have a ciggy, and Muzz stayed on, golden locks flowing in the breeze like shimmering samite fresh out of the water. Toad, Lars and Poacher put in a couple of minutes each and you know, did their thing. Loaner Benjy dotted down rather nicely after having several goes in both halves, at running fast but not quite fast enough. Dick got more ball than last week and used it well to creep (literally) back up in the total points scoring list.

Second half changes in the forwards gave us a boost in speed and strength when we needed it, but while no one on the side of the scrum fucked up, Sam's presence was missed. Unit came back for a second game and steadied the scrum a bit, but there's a little bit of remembering to do what was learnt at training still to happen in the set move department. All in all though, a very credible forward effort indeed. Except for Spook. We all know what he did, so let's not dwell on it any longer than is necessary to point out that a rule book about running back into your own man when we're just about to score the match winning try with time up on the clock and getting penalised so we lose might be a good Christmas present for the lad. Just sayin'.

Guest appearance by Waza shocked the known world. Luckily for Boner, his body was spared any damage as he ran out of time to get his 2 minutes of fame. Beaksy was also rumoured to be bringing his boots, but was just a rumour alas.

There were good numbers back at the sheds to get sausages and drink beer with the Sydenham boys which was nice to see, but a few notable absences later on at Lockin. #fuckupsteve
But as we all know, what happens on tourhausen stays on tourhausen.

No game next week, so rest your weary bones, think on your sins but still get to training on Thursday.