Results
The "A" team went to Woodrush with a mix of 1sts, 2nds and 3rds and ended up losing to Woodrush 1st XV.
The 3rds game was cried off by Kings Norton on Saturday Morning
Old Yardleians win the Edwardians Vets Tournament
Our old men had a great day on Saturday winning the competition they were robbed of last year.
Old Yards Vets 13 Camp Hill 0
- Tries from Steve "Captain Fantastic" Grainger and Simon "Getting Fatter" Davies with a penalty from Dave "Twatters" Howlett gave our boys a comfortable win in their first game. It was the same old storey with our scrum pushing Camp Hill backwards around the park.
Old Yards Vets 26 Ashby 0
- A hatrick for Steve Grainger led the way in this convincing win. Dave Howlett also scored a try and Ralph Rollins three conversions.
Old Yards Vets 10 Edwardians 8
- Needing to win this for a good draw in the semi final Old Yards started well enough with a simple try for Alistair "Ali G" Gouldbourne. Then against the run of play Edwardians broke and scored. Just before half time there was a flash point when the Edwardians No.8 butted Nigel "Villa Mad" Booth who retaliated. The game was stopped and the Ref sent only Boothy off. Edwardians sniffed a chance and shortly after the break slotted a penalty to take a shock lead. Old Yards piled the pressure back on Edwardians. Just as the final whistle approached Chairman Tony "Mr Mortons" Fitzgerald flew down the wing and scored to give old Yards another win.
Old Yards Vets 19 Civil Service 7
- Plucky Civil Service gave Old Yards a close game in the first half and opened the scoring from a lineout. We responded with a Steve Grainger try converted by Doug Howlett to make it 7-7 at half time. In the second half Old Yards ran away with it with tries by Steve Turvey and a length of the field effort started by David "Chicken" Hanson and finished by Steve Grainger. Dave Howlett added the conversion.
FINAL - Old Yards Vets 14 Bromsgrove 0
A disciplined Old Yards team won a one sided final. Always in control and with Bromsgrove giving penalties away at frequent intervals Dave Howlett kicked three to put us 9-0 up at half time. In the second half our dominance was rewarded when Tony Fitz scored a try. It was good to win the final that we should have done last year. A big Old Yardleians crowd turned up to support the team and had the joy of seeing Steve Grainger lift the cup for us. An extra reward for our man of the tournament Steve Grainger was the six tries he scored saw him pass Ben Honey's total of 15 to become the season's top try scorer within the squad.
Alcester 7's
Well done to our seven's team who reached the semi final of the plate at the Alcester 7's before losing to Bromsgrove.
The Dresses Were Out
A great turn out on Saturday night by the lads in the dresses. With everyone trying to out do each other there was a mass of designer frocks, wigs, high heels and stockings. We were challenged by Edwardians to a boat race that we won comfortably so they were out drunk in their own club by a bunch of blokes in dresses - Tut Tut. Then it was off to Moseley for more beers and shocked reactions from pub goers when thirty of us turned up en masse. Finally we ended up in the Castle where our outrageous attire seemed to fit in very well.
More Club Events
Friday 2nd May
Club Annual General Meeting at the clubhouse from 8pm prompt - attend and have your say. We are looking for more Committee members so come and join us, play your part.
Saturday 3rd May - Presidents Day
- 12.30 Old Yards Under 12's vs. Thomas Aquinas School
- 12.30 Old Yards Under 14's vs. Old Coventrians
- 13.30 Old Yards Vets vs. President's Vets XV - KNOCKER'S RETIREMENT GAME
- 15:00 1st XV vs. Select XV
- 17:30 til Late - Live Band for the night with food available
Friday 9th May
Annual Dinner at the club - tickets £30 so please pay Gail. Tickets are selling fast so buy yours NOW!
Saturday 10th May
Minis and Juniors Presentation Night at the club. 6pm until late with the presentations from 7pm. Raffle prize donations requested please.
Saturday 17th May
Old Yardleians have entered a team in the Aaron Boyce Memorial Greater Birmingham 7's - an all day event. Starts 10.30 with registration at 9.30.
Forty Years since David Collen had his first season as 1st XV Captain
David Collen will be over for the 80th celebrations, which by chance, coincide with 40 years since his first year as Club Captain of OYRFC. It would be great if players of that era could meet up at the 80th do. They were a struggling side that year, as will be seen from the playing record, but they did keep comprehensive records. The playing record of season 1967/68 and the names of all those who turned out for the 1st XV during that season - 57 in all ! - will be published in the next news item. Some, sadly are no longer with us e.g. Jim Steele, Roger Martin, George Jephcott, Tony Lowe - there are probably others.David is asking that as many as possible of those who played in 1967/68 could meet up at the 80th bash for a reunion of the team of 40 years ago - for those that make it he will buy the beer.
Summer Touch Rugby
What to play touch rugby in the summer? Moseley are running social and competitive leagues. See the club noticeboard for details.
Got anything to say?
Please email me details of any Old Yards information, trivia or jokes so I can add them to the next update.
Mark
Hon. Secretary
mark.xc@blueyonder.co.uk