A Great Day

On the 9th of January 1988, one of the largest crowds ever seen at Tilehouse Lane turned up to watch the league match versus Camp Hill. This was a chance for Old Ys to make a little history by being the first club to win promotion in a Courage National League. The importance of the match had been well publicised by the local press and BRMB radio were on hand to give live bulletins. In a game dominated by a strong cross wind, three Tom Power penalties gave us a 9-0 victory. The Daily Telegraph reported Tears of Joy when the occasion got to Mick Bloxham in the changing room. The final league game was a win at Bridgnorth, giving a league record of P10 W9 D1 L0 F143 A67 Pts 19. We gained promotion and were voted BRMBs Team of the Year. End of season matches included Diamond Jubilee games against COBs and Greater Birmingham and a touring side of apprentice surgeons from St. Georges Hospital in London. Their merry coach left the club late, leaving one young man handcuffed to the toilet pipe-work. He looked very nervous as he was freed by a non too sober Bert Black and Rob Brains Dixon with a rusty old hacksaw.

Sevens Success

Not since the early days had the club shown any interest in Sevens competitions but with the knowledge that we had real pace in our back row and three-quarters, the following Sunday a team was dispatched to the prestigious Loughborough tournament. Charlie Jenkins, Darren Collingwood and Paul Gower played in the forwards Dylan Poole, Simon Pigden, Sean Kenwrick and Chicken Hansen on the wing, with Smokin Williams and Rob Masterson as substitutes. After disposing of favourites Westleigh easily in the quarter finals and Sheffield Medics in the semis we had to face Loughborough BaBas (Moseley in all but name) in

he final. We lost by a penalty try when Chicken, chasing after his winger, was adjudged to have tackled too high when he jumped on his back. The organisers were impressed and invited us to play in the next years tournament. With growing success in the league and cup campaigns, we never went back.

We also entered the Sutton Coldfield seven-a-sides and played very well against strong opposition but were again pipped at the post finishing runners-up.