COACHES CHALLENGE!

 

Read the full rules here

Round 1 – The great squirrel chase

A opening event to the coaches bids to take home the Murwill cup kicked off with three laps of the set triangular circuit, imitating Braywick’s famous triangle run. Controversy was paramount, as tour leader Stephen Jones chose not to take part, and a hand in hand finish by Richard Christian and Roger Lewis, after Christian was 10 metres ahead approaching the final stretch. What amateurs. Jones’ forfeit can be seen in the final night photos.

Pos Coach Time Pts
1 Roger Lewis (by a nose) 4:31.3 5
2 Richard Christian 4:31.8 4
3 Paul Morgan 4:49.6 3
4 Ed Parrott 5:13.1 2
5 Richard Robinson 5:33.6 1
     

Round 2 – Place Kicking

Spread over two nights following Maidenhead victories the coaches took aim from two positions, both extremely easy. Jones used his vast experience of watching the squad’s prolific goalkicker for hours on end to his advantage and slotted both. Several attempts at attempting a Jonny Wilkinson stance did not gain bonus points.

Pos Coach Goals Pts
  Stephen Jones 2 5
  Richard Christian 2 5
  Roger Lewis 1 4
  Ed Parrott 1 4
  Paul Morgan 1 4
  Richard Robinson 0 3
     

Round 3 – Testing that endurance

10 press-ups, situps, burpees and squat thrusts were to be completed in the park. The fastest to finish would receive maximum points. "The badger" stormed away but Lewis’ paced tactic proved worthy as he came back to steal the victory by 2 seconds. Best giving birth face went to Stephen Jones. Biggest wimp for complaining about a tricep strain, Igor Parrott.

Pos Coach Time Pts
1 Roger Lewis 1:23.5 5
2 Richard Christian 1:25.6 4
3 Stephen Jones 1:32.4 3
4 Paul Morgan 1:34.8 2
5 Ed Parrott 1.39.5 1
  Richard Robinson    
     

Round 4 – The gauntlet

The one they all feared from the start. The quickest to complete the obstacle course to receive full points, with a potential bonus point on offer for a successful drop goal at the end. Richard Robinson’s lazy river injury meant participation in the final challenge was not possible. Paul "the terminator" Morgan was like a ferret round the course and duly won the event. Goals successfully dropped by Christian and Jones meant a bonus point.

Pos Coach Time Pts
1 Paul Morgan 1:11.3 5
2 Roger Lewis 1:16.6 4
3 Richard Christian 1:18.4 3+1
4 Stephen Jones 1:19.4 2+1
5 Ed Parrott 1:28.7 1
  Richard Robinson    

Bonus points were awarded to challengers that competed in full kit as requested in the brief. Twice Paul Morgan received bonus points and once Roger Lewis. Here, the coaches learnt the stern lesson of discipline. Lewis’ hilarious collapse after drop goal misery in the final challenge was brushed under the carpet as he ran away with the Murwill Cup 2 points ahead of 2nd place Richard Christian. In a fitting gesture, the champion saw it best he and the badger shared the trophy, so both the Lewis and Christian family mantelpieces will grace the finest trophy since the Fugby Cup.

Pos Coach Pts
1 Roger Lewis 19
2 Richard Christian 17
3 Paul Morgan 14
4 Stephen Jones 11
5 Ed Parrott 8
6 Richard Robinson 4

Congratulations to Richard Robinson, who despite falling through the glass floor up the CN tower, still popped a shot at goal in the place kicking. Let’s play ball.