The boys and the black stuff - U17s Ireland Tour 2005

Saturday 30th April - Monday 2nd May 2005

THE BOYS AND THE BLACK STUFF

I was feeling a certain sense of expectant enjoyment as I strolled into London Heathrow Terminal One for an early morning flight to Dublin. Another Maids tour, another lot of fun, fellowship, and some good rugby too!

Me, " Hi guys!"

Them, "You’re late!"

Them, "Your son isn’t wearing the right clothes!"

Knowlesy, "You are idle!"

Knowlesy, "You are pompous!"

Them, "You are fined!"

Me, "It was nae me, a big boy did it and ran away!"

All, "Are we there yet, Paul?"

Groundhog Day. Same people (plus Chaytes and Crazy Legs) same or similar clothes, same idea, different place and different names – step forward Carlos, Consuela (?) Emilio and Tito! We were off to Dublin, flying BMI and playing two games against comparable sides on a DIY tour organised by Paul Morgan and Richard Hodgson. Cheap flights, and a good hotel all sorted on the web, plus local buses to move us round. A great way to finish off what has actually been a very good season. See below!

We were picked up from the airport, and taken to the John J McDowell Ground in Sutton, in the far north of Dublin Bay for a game against Suttonians The club gave us a very good early lunch, and we began a slow build up to a kick-off at 3.00pm. Ed spoke explicitly about forwards being out of position in the past. It must have registered because we saw the best rucking and mauling ever in the next two games.

SUTTONIANS RFC - 14 v MAIDENHEAD RFC – 15 (www.srfc.ie)

Maids won a very good close game by one point, scoring three tries to Suttonians’ two converted tries. The Suttonians squad worked on a different age group qualifying date. Their squad had ten U17s and seven U18s, and included two gigantic players, great Behemoths - bigger than Plumes!

Play started nervously with both sides trying to test the other’s strengths. Errors abounded, with weak kicking, dropped passes, and inconclusive forward play. Sutton showed a dangerous counterattacking ability, however very slowly Maids started to put together their act. Olly passed to Dave who made a lovely break, Ryan making a lot of ground with a mazy run. Poor finishing meant that several half-chances did not become scores.

A typical lineout move led to Dave bringing the ball back to the pack, before Sam went over for our first try, 0 – 5. This established confidence and Sam and Chris almost made a score from a scissors move. All too quickly concentration went and poor handling errors and sloppy tackling lost vital ground. Dave redressed the balance with good kicking, and from a maul, in which Drew, Luke and Pazza featured, the ball came back to Dave who scored, 0 – 10.

The game developed its own momentum with Maids conceding ground by not tackling and dropping the ball, then defending mightily before kicking out of the 22, and threatening the Suttonians’ line. Pazza did very well in the lineout all through the game. However Maids conceded two converted tries, one on the left wing and the other under the post, 14 – 10. In the final ten minutes Maids got rolling again and the forwards ground their way up the pitch, before Luke scored the winning try – 14 – 15!

Suitable celebrations followed before we found our hotel, and went out Indoor Go-Karting in an industrial estate in Dublin’s suburbs. Luke and Crazy Legs showing a definite turn of speed. Terminator admitted modestly, "Of course I’m much faster in my Lotus!" Back to the hotel, met up with Jonesy, got some sleep before going into Dublin for some sightseeing on Sunday morning. The coaches, to their bemusement, found themselves queuing to visit Trinity College, Dublin’s Library and the Book of Kells. A touring first indeed! The lads enjoyed retail therapy or just stayed in bed. At lunchtime we went up to the north- west of Dublin to play Ashbourne RFC, and see a club making a major investment in itself, with an enormous new club-house, two good pitches, and a practice pitch under construction.

ASHBOURNE RFC - 7 v MAIDENHEAD RFC – 21 (www.ashbournerfc.com)

Ashbourne produced a development squad with two U18s, fourteen U17s and two U15s. These players showed the most fantastic resilience, defending stoically throughout a game in which Maids had a huge territorial advantage.

Several players had picked up injuries, but Keith’s treatments got them on the pitch. We had only one fit sub for this game and when Tim went down with a nasty ankle injury, Sam came on leaving us with only the walking wounded. Mitch Batten had a bang on the head against Suttonians and was not allowed to play in the Ashbourne game. Pat and Olly both had leg injuries.

The game was one of steady driving from the forwards with Ash, Ben and Jack totally committed to the ruck-maul-scrums that characterised the game. Ginge was back at 10, and he and Dave pushed up field, and attempted to marshal the attacking options. A number of opportunities were squandered, and then in a remarkable display of finishing, Razza scored the first of his three tries for us to finish the season on a high note. From a ruck Luke drove left and the ball went down the line for Razza to cut through at speed and score. Dave converted, 0 – 7.

Ashbourne were pinned down in their half, and occasionally broke out dangerously with some balanced running by a young centre. However although Maids did concede a converted try, 7 – 7, the game flowed on with some intelligent refereeing and Razza completed an outstanding clearance kick, driving Maids forward.

In the final 20 minutes Maids drew ahead with two converted tries, Ginge being put into space and setting up a text book backs’ try, with Dave and Chris handling before Razza came into the line at speed to score again, 7 – 14! After more hard work from the forwards, where Drew and Pazza had done so well, Luke popped up again to pass to Dave, who set up Razza for his third try, 7 – 21. By the end even the walking wounded were on and Luke, who couldn’t lift his arm before the game, was seen lifting in the lineout. Everyone showed a great commitment to each other.

FINALE

We had a great welcome in the club house afterwards, and later returned to the hotel in Dublin, for the evening. There was a moving End of Tour Dinner, that was very special to us all, as it marked the end of the lads playing as a single age group. Next year they become Junior Colts. There were sincere thanks to Paul Morgan who has managed the side from U6 to U17; there were good speeches, and some moving presentations. The unorthodox presentation of The Murwill Cup later on will be remembered for some time, "It is a handling game, after all."

Jonesy said, "I have had fantastic experiences in rugby. I will always remember my first Lions tour in 1983 and obviously, the thrill I felt when covering England's World Cup triumph. But being part of the Maidenhead success and also, watching the brilliance and spirit with which you beat a great team in Ashbourne, means that I rank this alongside any of the other memories. You were absolutely fantastic. It was a privilege to be involved with you all."

Knowlesy (Coach, Sponsor, Man-With-Very-Bad-Shoulder and Top Tourist) said later, "Well done lads! A couple more great games to add to your long list of success! I would just like to say how proud I am of you all! It has been such a wonderful opportunity to coach you all and be a part of your transition from boys to men. Remember to keep the sprit you have had as boys, in your future life as men. Always retain the camaraderie of the team you have all been a part of. The sing song afterwards will remain with me for a very long time!"

We had a final morning in Dublin visiting the Guinness Storehouse (many thanks to our Guinness sponsors) before flying back into London. A great touring side, a good bunch of lads who looked after each other, and for whom the future and AS-levels beckon! Jonesy popped up in the baggage hall at Heathrow, "Hey guys! Salisbury won the National KO Cup! Makes you think…"