Old Yardleians - Latest News

Moss Goode annual 15 a side tournament

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 10:57:05 GMT

15 a side tournament

The pre-season work on the training pitch having been met with the usual degree of enthusiasm, the time has now come to see the results. The annual Old Yardleians 15 a side tournament takes place this season on saturday 14 August. Teams taking part include

Old Yards
Ashby de la zouch
Aston old eds
Birmingham Barbarians
Birmingham Exiles
Old Halesonians
Silhillians
Wednesbury
Wolverhampton

A number of other clubs have shown interest but we are waiting for confirmation.

Big Al returns

If my memory serves me correctly, and it doesn't always, there was a big blond second row by the name of Big Al Harrison. He liked a beer at the Plume, a cigar and a game of rugby. Famous for the damage he caused (mainly to his own players) at the line out my playing memory is of Al catching the ball at 2 in the line out, ignoring his scrum half (Ullah), looking towards me at outside half and floating an overhead lofted pass straight at me which tended to arrive just after the back row. Cheers mate!
Anyway Al is on a holiday here from his South African home and will be happy to buy his old mates a beer at the club on Saturday 7th August. Feel free to drop in.

Training

Training for seniors takes place at the club on tuesday evenings from 7.00 and on saturdays from 2.00. Under the guidance of Gary Robinson new players are warmly invited to join us whatever your level of ability.

The Vandals (vets)

Player Manager Martyn Slow has organised a training camp in the New Forrest to be held over the weekend of August 21-23. Those wishing to attend as players or supporters should get in touch with Martyn asap.

Tips for new players

Don't train straight after a meal as it might just reappear.
Welcome to Sam, a member of staff at Aquinas who originates from the far east (Suffolk way).

League changes

Sun, 27 Jun 2010 10:20:08 GMT

Went to bed one night in the north but woke up next day in the south!
When the powers that be split the region into north and south we often fall into a sort of 'limbo'. We get our bearings and satnavs organised and then we get moved to another patch. Oh well it keeps life interesting.
Last season I felt that we approached our league games with a little too much confidence and that it was our right to be pushing for promotion without putting the hard work in. We knew that we had the individual talent as well as a powerful pack but we didn't always get our tactics right and as for our discipline well that cost us big style and we only narrowly escaped from the relegation zone.

So, who do we play this season? Two local games against Woodrush, who have improved a lot in recent times and Kings Norton who have tended to struggle. Over to Coventry to play the Welsh. We used to play a lot of Cov sides before the leagues split us up and it will be interesting to see if they have evolved in their style or if they have stuck to a more traditional game plan. Heading south into Warwickshire we meet Old Leams, Southam, Shipston and Newbold and we know that they will be difficult opponents as will Redditch who never make life easy for you. That leaves Upton-on Severn who I know little about other than that Rick Thorne says that its a lovely little town, and that we should travel by coach and return home with a few stops on the way.(I think we know what he means.)
Harbury become league rivals for the first time but they are of historical significance as it was the venue for our first end of season dresses and pub crawl event which has now grown considerably.
Last but not least comes Evesham who have had tremendous success and who will be a real test for us I am certain.

We must approach the coming season with a different attitude to last year. Training has started under the guidance of Gary Robinson and new players are warmly invited to join us.

Meanwhile on the weekend of 21/22 August the Vandals are going on a pre-season training camp to the New Forest culminating in a friendly against the unknown to us Lymington Mariners RFC. Details from Martyn 'Slow' Cartwright.

The annual 15 a side competition will be held at the club on Saturday 14 August with seven teams so far confirming their participation.

Don't forget that the club can be hired for functions and at a recent party it was interesting to note that the Roasted Hog defeated Luke even with help from Pricey and Shannon. Hard to believe but true!

You might think that the season's over but never say never

Fri, 28 May 2010 16:24:06 GMT

There was a warm (very warm 28c) welcome to Clwb Rygbi Betws from the deepest West Wales who called in as part of their end of season mini tour on saturday to play a friendly against a mixed Old Yards selection xv.

In an entertaining game the Ys went 12-0 up in the first half but, as we've seen before, fatigue caught up with us and our guests eventually won 26-19. Try scorers for Ys were young Tom G, even younger Big Andy P and that all-time folk hero Steve Grainger. Super Ben kicked the points.

We hope that our guests enjoyed their tour and it did appear that they found our beers and ales much to their taste. Cheers lads.

OTHER THINGS

The club keeps ticking over during the summer months so keep in touch and drop in from time to time.
The Dave Adams Quiz number 2 was entertaining for a number of reasons. Luke's team couldn't even cheat properly, Shannon won 'Last man standing' and managed to spend his winnings over the bar. What a legend, even thinking of club revenue in his moment of glory. Chris Watts, PE teacher turned gardener, won the 'Sport specific challenge' as you would expect.
On behalf of the Committee, I apologise for the lack of chairs but I don't see what is wrong with parking your bums on empty beer barrels. Sorry about the lack of lemon slices and ice but we didn't expect so many customers let alone fussy ones, chairs and ice, remember this is the Old Yards!!
It hurts to do this but well done to the winning team of Mrs J. Jenkins (Burchell Edwards), daughter Becky, Mr S. Painter (Dip F.D.), Rock Star Paul Slatts, Tom Mead (honestly !) and finally her indoors. Rumours that I talk in my sleep just might be true.
Well done all of you and a special mention for Andrew P., ex St Thomas Aquinas, very smart indeed, nice suit and tie and I know mum is proud of you even though she will tell me off. Cheers Ang.

FRIENDS OF THE OLD Ys

A surprise mention for ex-Arsenal and Scotland star Eddie Kelly for an epic stadium tour. Thanks mate and regards to Ray.
Brendan Fahy now down in Colchester sends his regards and still has a team photo above his bed (so I'm told).
Last year we had a Birkenhead touring team visit us for a friendly. Richie Beckett has informed me that he was elected as their Chairman recently. Well Richie, our chairman can play the bagpipes, wear a kilt, sing songs from the shows and build a clubhouse. So what are your targets? Good luck pal.

Friday night is quiz night!

Tue, 18 May 2010 16:10:30 GMT

QUIZ NIGHT AT THE OLD YARDS

FRIDAY 21st MAY Start 7.30pm Finish/climax 10.00pm (times are approximate)

BAR OPEN THROUGHOUT THE EVENING

GENERAL KNOWLEDGE INCLUDING A RANGE OF INTERESTING TOPICS

ADULTS £2 JUNIORS £1

A SEPARATE SPORTS KNOWLEDGE CHALLENGE FOR ASPIRING DESMONDS

TWO APPROACHES TO PARTICIPATING,

BRING YOUR OWN TEAM OF UP TO 6 PLAYERS , OR COME ALONG AND MAKE A TEAM WITH SIMILARLY DISORGANISED PEOPLE

FABULOUS PRIZES

PROCEEDS SPLIT BETWEEN CHARITY AND OYRFC MINI/JUNIOR DEVELOPMENT.

GO FOR IT. EVEN MARK BALDWIN IS BRINGING A TEAM AND HE PLAYS FRONT ROW!

A message just received from Chris Watts. He suggests that the rest of you are only playing for second place as the Watts, Wales, Simpson team are certs to reclaim their title.

Confidence hey what!

A feast of rugby on president's day

Sat, 08 May 2010 11:13:45 GMT

Development xv

Too exhausted to write a report, Egg provides news of the Development teams last game of the season which was against local friends, Kings Norton 2nds who we always welcome to our humble stadium.
Youth and with its superior speed and staying power saw the Ys victorious by 64-7. Adam, son of Gringo, Walker showed high quality finishing scoring 5 tries and I hope he didn't forget the jug! It was great to see (and hear) Craig Flemming refereeing and how much slimmer he looks compared to his days at the Ys.

Under 14s

A cold sunday morning saw our promising young lads play at the end of Birmingham Airport's Runway, i.e. The Exiles. It was the end of season President's day for the hosts and their team had a very mature look about them. However, with powerful number 8 Dan Cushing surrging through their midfield with good support from young Pricey the situation looked promising. But, just like many of our performances during the season we failed to turn good territorial advantage into points. The sheer pace of 'Academy' boys, Jordan and Tre'rail Peters led to two superb individual tries but the advantage to the hosts of having many replacements to provide fresh legs in the 2nd half eventually resulted in a home win by 20-10.

Best wishes go to our classy outside half, Jack Molloy who is also a footballer, as he lines up in the St. Thomas Aquinas (aka The Academy) squad at Villa Park on Monday, kick-off 6.15, against Solihull based Tudor Grange School in the final of The Aston Villa schools cup.Entry by programme £2. We will let you know if we win!

Vandals

Saturday May the 1st, our President's day saw us play our final game of the "regular" (just in case) season with a third fixture against Tamworth Vets/3rds. Now I arranged this fixture because excluding our obvious two early season hiccups they have been one of our toughest opponents and because I knew you would much prefer a serious workout to end the season on; the previous games ending 28-14 & 19-11 (a game barring a couple of dodgy refereeing decisions they possibly should have won).

A 142 year old front row saw a welcome return of tighthead Mark "Dai" Baldwin finally back from his volcanically extended holiday in the Caribbean, DJ Shannon at loosehead with "young" Rick "Swing" Lowe suspended in between. In the engine room it was business as usual with our most "capped" forward John "only the" Lonie & Phil "get me to the church on time" Gouldbourn providing the grunt; with a seriously young and spritely back row containing our two promising youngsters Marcus "the Shark" Hope & Rob "Barstool" Bastock both still only 37 bless, with parental guidance coming in the form of Nick "the Assassin" Levey.

For the Attendants a second outing (eventually...he made Gary's arrival look positively premature!) for Junior Williams stepping in again for Shaun the sheep at scrum half, who like Officer Burrows was on call for work, but who unlike Officer Burrows didn't come to watch! Outside him the classy limousine of a fly half that is Ian Neville and in the centres that vintage Yards pairing of Chairman Fitz & his young apprentice Gary "Fishnet" Williams, with Simon "the Time Lord" Davis a late runner coming in on the wing (he'd apparently told me he was available last week but I was too bladdered following our Moseley frockfest to remember), "Spliff" Farrell on the opposite wing and Ralphy Rollins at fullback.

Another big bench with David "Chicken" Hanson continuing his comeback after a season sadly ravaged with a serious knee injury, our sexagenarian (yes that is a real word) Steve Painter (showing that most of you still have another ten seasons left) "the Colt" Arkell, fellow camper & club coach Gary "Bobo" Robinson, Richard "Jacko" Jacks (after moonlighting first for the Development Team), Alistair Goldbourn (who now can't seem to stay away, please start your season a little earlier next time Al) and bringing up the rear, the port, the water, the first aid kit and the balls Captain Slow.

We win the toss and I opt to stay where we're standing (& not warming up) and play away from the Club hoping the smell from Sid,Tom & Pricey's BBQ will spur us on in the second half. I had a nice brand new Gilbert match ball for the occasion, stolen from the police by the police most likely, but were were unable to start with it as it unfortunately lacked some air so off I go in search of a pump.

I spoke to Graham the Tamworth captain on arrival who informed me that his side contained a couple of younger lads....a couple!.. more like their entire back division, but nothing that we haven't seen off before. As expected the opening five or so minutes were very much nip & tuck in the forwards, with perhaps us shading it in the backs with Nev bringing Simon in off the wing to make some great penetrating runs.

It is from one of these barnstorming runs that Simon burst through the Tamworth midfield to be hauled down about five metres out but makes a great pass off the deck to Fitz following in his wake to crash over for the game's first try close to the posts 5-0 Ralph strokes the conversion over for a 7-0 lead.

With our scrum solid No.8 Barstool begins his one man assault on their fringes, picking up from the base and making good yardage time after time with Nick & Marcus in close support as we begin to string good passages of play together and with Rick hitting Phil & Marcus in the lineouts the pressure begins to mount on Tamworth in the opening quarter. Twenty minutes in we are awarded a free kick, which Nev takes quickly, sells some double glazing before spinning it out to that wannabe threequarter Shannon who takes two men out before returning the pass, and Nev sidesteps the last defender to score under the posts 12-0. Ralph converts for a healthy 14-0 lead.

Understandably we probably ease off a touch allowing them to come back into the game and a fine run by their winger sees him go over mid way out right hand side, and a successful kick sees our lead cut in half 14-7. The useful outfit that they are, Tamworth come more & more into the game with some good passages of play of their own and finally manage to isolate Cedric a few metres from our line to go over wide out 14-12 conversion missed. Shortly after Cedric who had been soldiering on with a leg injury sustained earlier on in the half comes off, Chicken comes on.

14-12 Half-time & Port taken in a leisurely interval, even Trevor the ref has a snifter. Marcus & Simon take themselves off to participate in the Dads v Lads game, John & Rick just go off (sure I'm supposed to have some say in all this) Arks, Slow, Ali G & Jacko all on in that positional order.

Slow tactically withdraws from the fray with the unexpected return of the Time Lord, just in time for Tamworth to score a breakaway try to take the lead for the first time 14-17 conversion missed. No panic yet, we've been here before and Vandals don't lie down.

Then a moment of the sublime, we are awarded a penalty about ten metres out which we take quickly the ball is spun out to Nev who in a pre-planned move with Barstool runs laterally and Rob comes thundering in on the crash taking all the defence with him as Nev proceeds to sell an outrageous dummy of truly biblical proportions to glide through the young defence to score under the sticks 19-17 & class will out. Ralph again converts 21-17.

Our tireless midfield of Fitz & Smoking, marshalled by the ever vocal Hanson continue to put in the hard yards making tackle after tackle against their younger opponents Fitz making one great last ditch effort in the far corner to prevent a certain score.

Dai is now struggling with his mysterious ankle injury so Bobo suits up and becomes the season's 72nd and final Vandal. Our pack now probably being as big as it has been all season begins to reassert its' first half dominance and starts to shunt the Tamworth eight around. Rob takes a breather, Steve Painter comes on into the second row, Alistair switches to the flank, and Arks goes to eight.Slow sneaks back onto the wing long enough to make a controlled collision on one of their centres much to the delight of Chicken, and no we never had sixteen on at the same time. Simon comes off.

Our final try is a direct result from our forward domination as the big lads take it on from just inside the Tamworth 22 for a couple of phases, before Shannon breaks clear and drives for the line, capping a fine game in the loose; he is tackled just short but manages to get the pass away to Jacko in support who juggles the ball around his ears to go over next to the posts 26-17. Ralph makes no mistake making it four from four 28-17.

There is no further score as we run down the clock, a full 80 minutes work this week too.

Final score 28-17 Final age a massive 686 which I'll save you the bother is an average age 45.75!!!! And no I'm not changing all the shirts as 677 sounds infinitley more like a crack bomber squadron.

A special thanks to John, Bobo & Arks who returned from camping especially for the game (and to have a few hours peace from the wives obviously).

Thanks too, to those who voted in this season's Vandal's Vandal, but please don't vote for the captain next time as I don't count & I also have the power of veto; anyway for those not present, this prestigious new accolade went to Dave Rollins, who was an almost ever present throughout the season, playing in every Attendant's position from scrum half to fullback and being the side's (despite Coatesy's & Horse's spectacular efforts) top scorer amassing a personal points tally of 147 points. Well done Ralph.

For those with insomnia I've attached our statistics for the season, plus our fixtures for the year, but summarising that was competitive win number 18 with just the 5 losses, our final try was our 107th (an average of nearly five a game) and we remained unbeaten at Tilehouse Lane. We lost five games to the weather, and another five to a combination of opposition cry-offs, international weekends & giving work experience upwards. One final interesting statistic is that we kicked just six penalties all season, nothing to do with the quality of our two front line kickers more an indication that wherever possible we chose either to run or kick to the corners.

We can be very proud of what we have achieved this season, I said at the beginning of the season I wanted us to get on the park at least twenty times, but to win twenty times with the two inter-club games, has been a massive achievement. Thanks also to those new & old faces who came, liked what they saw & stayed along for the ride.

One serious point before I sign off for the Summer, the thorny issue of pre-season training, this will start in September but unfortunately this will probably coincide with our first fixture.....

Friends of the Yards

It was good to see Keith (Bert) Black at the club and he still looks young enough to be playing.
At the Eds Vets Bash, it was good to bump into Birmingham Barbarian (Kynoch) legend John Ross as well as the Spencer brothers.

PRESIDENT'S DAY

Thu, 29 Apr 2010 13:03:00 GMT

He might not be the prettiest bloke in the club and he might not be the best player we've ever had but no doubt about it Mr Steve Walter Sidwell is, by far, the best president that we have at this current time. Whatever the weather Sid warmly invites you to the club on Saturday 1st May to celebrate the conclusion of a fascinating season.

The first xv are given a deserved rest after the thrills and spills of the season. Autograph hunters should be able to find their first team favourites at the club performing a range of valuable duties. Well done lads and bring your kit just in case! The Development boys have a game against Kings Norton, kick-off at 2.00. The super stars, i.e.the Vandals,have a tricky match against Tamworth, kick-off at 3.00.

Our minis and juniors are planning a Dads v Lads special. For times and details contact your team managers or Shannon.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The club AGM took place last week and with one position yet to be finalised most roles were unchanged and a full list will be published shortly.

ANNUAL CLUB DINNER

This will be held at the club next friday with guest speaker being Ben Kay. Tickets at £40 are available from S.W. Sidwell and are selling like rock cakes (I think that means fast) so get yours asap. Non-members are warmly invited.

MATCH REPORTS

Last saturday saw the Vandals take part in the Edwardians annual tournament. In high temperatures (according to Bill Burrows) we progressed as far as the semi-finals where we slipped up to the eventual winners. However, in terms of style our lads certainly had the best dress-sense and every drop of alcohol was deserved after a great season. Well done captain/manager Martyn Cartwright and all the lads, too many to name in one go!

Priceys boys, the under 14s, had an exciting game on sunday against Birmingham Exiles. With a number of younger lads on debut end to end rugby was produced in a Yards win of approx. 44-34. Callum, son of punchy Dave Hanson, scored 3 tries, Jack Price 2 and Tyrell A-J (mini-Fridge) ran through many tacklers to score a memorable try. This coming Sunday the boys travel to the 'end of the runway' i.e. Exiles, to play them again as part of their club's Presidents Day, kick-off 12 noon.

QUIZ

At the club on Friday May 21st, max of 6 in a team, £2 per player, starts at 7.30. Rumours are that the Bloxham Lad is bringing a team so added pressure on the Gouldbournes.

FRIENDS OF THE CLUB

Best wishes to Dave Dennis (Spartans RFC), Dai Staples (Tondu RFC), Tony Mahon (OYRFC) and last but not least Ian Ferguson (OYRFC) who we bumped into at a Party held at an African Themed Garden Centre. Will Dave Jenkins pay 3 grand for a zebra?

Under 9s match reports v Bromsgrove and Bourneville

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:40:43 GMT

Old Yards under 9s v Bromsgrove under 9s B and C teams – 18 April Bromsgrove have in excess of 30 boys at under 9s level with many of their players going to Bromsgrove School with its strong rugby tradition. The Bromsgrove A team was playing away at a tournament in Sutton and Old Yards hosted their B and C teams in an ‘unofficial’ mini 3-way tournament. Overall Yards drew their first match 4-4, won their second match 7-1 and came out overall winners based on number of tries scored. The first game was an excellent game of rugby with both sides clearly demonstrating to the crowd of parents all the rugby skills they had learnt this season. There was excellent tackling from both sides, strong rucking and mauling, and some very strong running with the ball. There were stand out performances from Ben and Joe for the Old Yards who scored 2 tries each. Bromsgrove put Old Yards under excellent pressure in the dying seconds of the game and scored a try with the last play of the game to level the score. A draw was a fair result. Old Yards dominated the second game. The tackling from all the boys was the best I’ve seen all season and with the hard ground some of the boys started to pick up some scrapes. Old Yards strength in the forwards from Harry, Oli and Dan meant the Old Yards back line saw a lot of ball and Joe, Ben, Adam, Alex, Hayden and Jack all had good chances to show their running skills. Overall Old Yards were comfortable winners with tries from Ben (4), Joe (2) and Adam (1). Man-of-the-match for Old Yards was Ben for his crunching tackles, two in particular which saved certain tries, and his strong running which resulted in 6 tries in the tournament. Old Yards under 9s v Bourneville under 9s – 25 April Bourneville brought over 18 boys and they pulled together 3 teams of 8 players to play the Old Yards team 3 times. Old Yards only had a team of 8 players so by their third game of 10 minutes each way the boys were getting very tired! Overall Old Yards won 2 games, 4-1 and 2-1, and lost the final game 0-3. In the first game the Old Yards forwards retained the ball very well and Joe Marcus was able to excellently take advantage of some gaps in the Bourneville defense to score 3 very well taken tries. Oli Harnett also scored a fantastic try running 10 meters with Bourneville defenders trying to tackle him but to his surprise he found that through his strong and determined running he made it to the try line – a great try. In the second game the defenses were on top with some excellent tackling from both sides. The Old Yards tackle machines of Ben, Hayden and Jack did a great job of keeping the Bourneville defense at bay with some excellent try saving tackles. The Old Yards strong runners of Joe, Oli, Harry, Alex and Adam were also quickly tackled every time they got the ball. Bourneville had worked out that Joe was on fire and the clear danger man and they were very effective at closing him down and stopping him hit his stride. However he did brake through to score first, Bourneville then scored in return and then, after a great run from Adam, who was tackled when it looked like he was clean through, Joe was on hand to pick up the ball cleanly and score in the last second for a game winning try. I think for the final game the team were already on the beach for their summer holidays (they were also probably tired from 40 minutes of hard rugby against 2 fresh teams!) and Bourneville were keen to avenge their two defeats. Despite some strong tackling again from the whole team, Bourneville were superior in the ruck and through their possession they scored 3 very good tries. Overall a great last competitive match of the season and a very well deserved man-of- the-match award went to Joe for scoring 5 tries. Only one more Everest to climb boys – the match against the dads on Presidents’ Day!

Ys give league champions a tough test and avoid the drop.

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 10:38:40 GMT

Yards lose to champions but avoid relegation

On Saturday, top of the table Leek visited Tilehouse Lane, and although the home side eventually went down by 19 points to 30, for the majority of the game the sides were evenly matched, and both contributed to the making of an entertaining game, the difference being that Leek were ruthless in converting their few chances whilst the OY's allowed most of theirs to go begging.

The dry conditions suited the mobile Leek side, whose backs ran the ball at every opportunity, but generally their possession was limited by a dominant and aggressive OY's pack which has shown good form throughout the league campaign, and with Dave Rimmer back in the centre, the OY's midfield defence proved sound, to the extent that the first twenty minutes of the first half was something of a stalemate, but with the visitors enjoying the most of the territorial advantage. Best use of possession for the OY's was made by scrum half Tom Grocott with several penetrating breaks, counterattacking from set plays and from the loose.

Midway through the half, an accidental offside at a scrum from a No 8 pickup gave Leek the put in, and quick ball at last gave the visitors' free running backs the opportunity to break the OY's defence and score the first try of the match close to the posts, easily converted..

With the score at 0 – 7, OY's were immediately back on the attack, and well into the Leek half. Possession from a lineout was followed by a forward drive and a quick pass to blind side winger Andy Pearce on a crash ball took play to just short of the visitor's line. A further phase opened up a gap which saw the OY's stand off in under the posts for a converted try to put the home side back on level terms.

Ten minutes later, even with the OY's pack well on top, Leek were making best use of limited possession, again through their backs. The OY's defence was stopping the man, but not smothering the ball which was being kept alive by effective support play. Overlaps were being created, and eventually, one such overlap caught the OY's short of cover, and a break in the centre saw Leek score their second try, converted to bring the score to 7 – 14. On the stroke of half time OY's suffered a second dose of the same and a third, converted try put the visitors in command at 7 -21.

At half time, OY's rang the changes, adding the pace of Rob Willis to the back row, and the weight and experience of Gary Robinson and John Lonie to the front and second rows respectively. An immediate dividend was paid when Leek, after being pressurised to carry the ball over their own line, the five meter scrum was no contest with the Leek pack being shunted back at a rate of knots to enable No 8 Ben Honey to pick up and go in for a well deserved try. Uncharacteristically, the reliable Honey failed this time with the conversion, his attempt hitting the upright.

With the score at 12 -21, the OY's were unlucky to be penalised at the restart for obstruction, which enabled the visitors t o push the score on to 12 -24. Five minutes later a second penalty to the visitors was converted following an offside offence in midfield, caused when OY's forwards, slow to get across to a breakdown loitered in amongst the backs, and got in each other’s way.

Toward the end of the match, on 37 minutes, a dropped ball in the Leek midfield on half way was pounced on by Willis, who made good ground, committed the cover and put in a well weighted kick ahead for winger Pearce who won the race for the loose ball, collected and outpaced the remaining defence to score in the corner. From wide out, Ben Honey again made no mistake with the conversion, and the score moved to 19 – 27 to the visitors.

On full time, and again with the visitors pressing in the OY's half, once again a penalty was conceded for an offside offence. With no time remaining, Leek elected to kick for goal, and the match closed out with a final score of OY's 19 – Leek 30, the visitors taking two well earned points from the match, to be congratulated for thus consolidating their position as Midlands Three West (North) league winners while results elsewhere ensure safety for the Ys for another season.

Let's take a look at the Vandals

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 15:06:00 GMT

Who are the Vandals? and why are they so named? Well, I don't honestly know the answers other than that in their present format they tend to play 3rd team fixtures and vets fixtures where available. If you really (sadly) want to know the history of the name then drop into the club and for the price of a pint put the question to Dave Dixon, Kiwi or Richard Walker but leave yourself plenty of time!

This season under the guiding hand of Martyn (slow) Cartwright a fine blend of senior players, recently graduated colts and new friends from disappearing teams have put together some fine performances. The anoraks (Dave Jenkins) will probably bore you to sleep with the vets team of the mid 1990s who went through the entire season unbeaten with one match against Cannock 1sts left to play. Then comes the bit about us needing a converted try to win with one minute to play. A younger Dave Adams then scorched over for a try in the corner (not quite Lee Coates speed but fairly quick). A succesful conversion from fairly wide out would do the trick but the kicker, who will remain nameless, was narrowly wide and even though he scored over 360 points that season, the 2 missing points are still talked about.

Out with the past and on to this week. To begin with Shannon had to referee and with a touch judge on the international panel to assist, Mr Killarney was excellent although Coatsey may have disagreed on one decision. The opposition, Redditch Vets or Exiles are always very strong, skillful and a fine bunch of lads. They also always beat us. Well, as you are about to read, the trend has been reversed.

A very sunny & warm Saturday saw the Vandals in one more "last" home game at Tilehouse Lane in a pool fixture against Redditch Exiles, a side much like our own, of battle hardened older lads with the odd youngster to do the leg work and resplendent in their traditional predominantly pink strip; Fitzy in his own pink shirt blending in nicely on the touchline and causing some confusion amongst our lady viewers (of which there were many, mainly down to Ali G having his own travelling Glee Club).

With Shaun the Sheep off checking out mountain goats in the Alps it gave Dave Rollins the opportunity to play scrum half and to complete the set of threequarter positions for the season having played at fly half, centre, wing & fullback this season. Another couple of notable absentees this week being the Nousemeister John Lonie lending it to the Ones and Dai Baldwin taking a few weeks rest in the Caribbean at a friend's wedding!

And with Shannon being press-ganged into refereeing this meant an opportunity for Tim "Love Machine" Russell (check out that seriously vain tattoo) to join Rick "the Pubic Tube" Lowe (ask him) & Bill "the Enforcer" Burrows in the front row. A new partner in the boiler room then for Phil "Shooter" Gouldbourn in the shape of Chris Rhodes, and a back row of Rupert "the Major" Young, Marcus "the Shark" Hope and Robert "Barstool" Bastock (got that little gem off his Solihull player profile, and apparently he is also prone to saying "I'm too old for this"....aren't we all).

Outside Ralph lurked outside half Ian "Bambi" Neville, centres Gary "Smoking" Williams and a debut for Ashley Johnson (someone in our side still young enough to train), with the human Exocet that is Coatesy & Ellwyn "Egg" Male on the wings, and Mike "the Scythe" Neary cleaning up the mess at the back.

Now there has been much discussion within the Western Hemisphere nations that the All Blacks Haka gives the New Zealanders a psychological advantage over their opponents so it is understandable that the Redditch boys' pre-match rendition of the Hokey Cokey gave them a similar advantage, as within ten minutes of our kicking off we were ten points down. This being down to some soft tackling on their large unit playing in the centre who bludgeoned his way through forwards and backs alike on numerous occasions in the first quarter (that is until he finally reached Mike who despite not being the tallest member of the side showed how it's done and felled him like a great Redwood)

But for those who are interested, Redditch opt to change ends and Vandals get to kick off. Redditch take it to us from the start, using their big inside centre to good effect. Within five minutes they are awarded a lineout just inside our ten metre and from it their fly half makes a clean break through our defence and spins it out to his winger in support who goes over wide out. 0-5 conversion missed.

Not long after an optimistic kick ahead by the Exiles fly half remains tantalisingly just inside touch and a yard or two out from our line Egg scrambles back but is outnumbered two to one and gets turned over and Redditch flop over for their second try 0-10 conversion again missed.

Slow is pacing the touchline like an expectant father, but we've been here before. And Gradually our scrum begins to exert more and more pressure on their counterparts and the Pube Tube gets the first of his three against the head in the first half; Ralph spins the ball out to Nev, and then to Smokes whose excellent timed flat pass sees Ash break through the Redditch defence to find Coatesy in space & support and he lights them up to score our first. 5-10 Conversion narrowly missed. Lee's number 11 shirt torn to shreds in the process goes off to intensive care as a result (my other half says she can rebuild it but it will never look quite the same).

Minutes later the try that never was when Coatesy, following some great passing through the hands of the Attendants ran best part of half the pitch to "score" under the posts, only to be hauled back to the half way line for us to be given a scrum following an earlier infringement (that's code for Barstool having some post-op fun & games). Anyway Shannon obviously using one of those new fangled Southern Hemisphere ELV's opted for Law 19 Section 9 Para 32 Sub-section B Point 6.......Q (no I didn't know this one either) "Try there or scrum back here"...so scrum to us ...which whilst technically proved Barstool's innocence did nothing for Coatsey's mood!!! But we must remember, especially our first team, that the ref is the sole judge of fact. In other words, he's right even when he's wrong!

Still we are just about warmed up now and starting to play some good rugby but it isn't until about 30 minutes in that Coatesy takes another excellent flat pass on the Redditch ten metre and has simply too much gas for the Redditch cover defence and scorches in under the posts to make it easy for Ralph. 12-10 and normal service if a little late is resumed.

Barstool now seems like he's taking it to their fly half at every other scrum with the Shark ever present in his wake, as our back row also start to dominate. Our lineout with Rhodesy, the Major & Shooter are snaffling most things Rick can throw (occasionally straight) at them and disrupting the Redditch on their throw in.

Half time 12-10 and just about worth it, lots of fluids on board, and lots of words spoken by all.Captain Slow rings a few changes, partly to bring some younger legs on (of which we had several pairs and would, given the conditions have been foolish not to), so Jake Curtis on for Nev, Yards & Ashby leg-end Sean Kenwrick on for Smokes, Ash moving out to take Egg's wing and Laurence Edwards filling the outside centre's berth. In the pack the Pube Tube comes off and on comes Greg "Swiss-Army knife" Allen at hooker.

Not long after the resumption good ball secured by the forwards sees it flow quickly through the hands of Jake, Sean & Laurence to once more set Lee free to score his hat trick and our 100th try of the season, Ralph again converts 19-10.

Shortly after it's Ash's turn as he goes on a tackle breaking run to score under the posts, Ralph converts 26-10 and it seems like we're beginning to run away with it, as Redditch start to struggle with the pace of our free-running backs.

Ten minutes in and Barstool nursing a shoulder comes off and Gouldbourn the younger comes in at number 8, no weight loss there then!

But Redditch aren't quite finished and following a lineout inside our twenty two a series of drives sees them awarded a scrum five metres out and from it their hard working No.8 goes over finally eluding our hard working back row. 26-15. The kicking boots again left at home, but only a couple of scores in it.

Within minutes however Coatesy goes over for his fourth and again Ralph converts for a now seemingly unassailable 33-15 lead, and with that Lee retires to bask in the sunshine and to show off his washboard to the ladies and living legend Dave "Chicken" Hanson makes a welcome return to action and slots in on the wing to test out his wooden knee in preparation for Old Eds on the 24th. Ands it's not long before he gets his opportunity when he demonstrates what a good mauler he is also by stripping the ball from a Redditich player and setting off on a run. Now normally Chicken would jink his way through, but opting for safety first he opted to outflank the defence before taking a leisurely turn round the corner to straighten it up.

Shortly after following a collapsed scrum the Love Machine comes off and the versatile Rick comes back on at tighthead for the remainder of the game.

Next a moment of speed & guile, well ok offside; Redditch are awarded a scrum just on their twenty two which they managed to hold and the scrum half whips the ball out to their young number ten who kicks for touch but who doesn't see the Major hurtling towards him, who in fairness must have set off from home late on Friday evening to get there, waving them big arms of his, and clipping the ball with one of them and sending it ricocheting towards the line in the left hand corner. There was then some expletive as he made contact realising he would now have to keep running, but unluckily for Rupe a combination of their right wing & fullback managed to scramble the ball out in the corner, and we were unlucky not to have been awarded the ensuing lineout from which Redditch managed to clear the immediate danger. This Rupe tells me, was only his third charge down in his playing career (and I thought I was OCD).

The Major his bolt now well and truly shot also comes off also showing signs of a tough game up front and Slow comes into the back row and immediately gets a couple of chances to stop their big centre in his tracks (being a former centre in another life it would have been rude not to), and Sean was getting bored doing it anyway.

Right I've had this discussion before about the final play scenario, in some games like Aston Old Eds we opt to run & score, in others like Warley we tamely punt it out and retire to the bar. Anyway Shannon calls "last play" and yet there is still time enough for us to give away another penalty!! As they have nothing to lose they run it but we manage to turn them over in our twenty two, Ralph takes the ball from the base and sets off towards the near touchline. Now Redditch obviously anticipating him to do the International thing not the Vandals thing and they stop running expecting him to put the ball out, but Ralph rounds the corner sees the gap between the touchline and their winger, who is now thinking of which shampoo to use, and sets off at not some considerable speed towards their try line but very quickly realising his rashness given the distance he still has to travel so he cuts inside looking for support without realising that most of us are still standing watching admiringly back on the twenty two. Luckily, though for Ralph he found young Ash in support who evades the despairing defence to score. 38-15 Ralph now obviously knackered misses the conversion and my nice new match ball is lost in the following pitch invasion.

Final score 38-15, final age ridiculously low due to the "youngsters" bringing down the average.

Usual round up of facts & figures for those still awake, this was our 17th competitive win of the season, our sixth on the bounce and we finish unbeaten at home. Lee's four tries brings him up to 22, staggeringly in only 9 games but the Vandals' top scorer remains Ralphy on 139 points with him also being the first to reach 20 competitive appearances, his wife must be so pleased. Our final try was our 103rd for the season not bad given an average age of 40-45 a game. No kickable penalties this week, in fact no penalties at all, or free-kicks apparently, so can we please ensure we buy Shannon more beer in future.

Captain Slow

A special mention about Greg, what a great bloke, plays any position on the field, and is equally lacking in ability in all of them (only joking mate).

Strength in depth!

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 19:55:22 GMT

Old Yardleians v Bishops Castle

Yards dig deep for victory

On a weekend traditionally reserved for Easter tours, the Y’s were informed that the league match against Bishops Castle that had been postponed due to snow earlier in the season would have to be played this weekend. With a number of regular first-teamers unavailable, the club’s depth of playing talent was going to be seriously tested. A combination of youth from the Development squad and experience from the Vandals XV were selected for a tough encounter against opponents from the Welsh Borders. Heavy rain meant a muddy pitch and running rugby was not the order of the day. Although the Y’s were in control for much of the first half, scoring opportunities were few and far between and with referee Mr Kelly following the letter of the law half time arrived with no points on the board.

The second half saw Yards putting the visitors under pressure in the scrums with captain for the day, Anthony Thompson, leading from the front and with Mike Brennan and Andy Killarney winning most lineout ball, it was only a matter of time before the first score came. A powerful run from winger Andrew Pearce saw him brush aside four defenders to dive over the line but Mr Kelly had spotted a marginally forward pass earlier in the move and cancelled the score. With the speed of Pearce and Walker in the midfield causing real concern to the opposition, sustained pressure eventually led to the first and only try of the match scored by Walker and converted by full back Dave Rollins. Two further penalties one by Walker and the other by Rollins made the game safe with a 13-0 scoreline.

The selectors face a difficult decision for next week’s league visit to Handsworth where a victory would end any threat of relegation. Will they stick to a winning team or will they recall the first team tourists? Watch this space!

Dates for your diaries (or personal organizers)

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:30:47 GMT

Friday 2nd April
Tour to Germany commences and includes Fridge's stag week (there's still time mate!)

Friday 23rd April
AGM at the club around 7.30. It's our club so lets support it.

Saturday 24th April
Vets tournament at The Eds. It would be good to retain The Balti Bowl trophy. Remember best frocks for after and don't forget a small bag for your purses and any other essentials.

Saturday 1st May
President's Day at the club with something for everyone. Exact times and details to follow soon.

Friday 7th May
Annual dinner and presentation night at the club. Guest speaker is England world cup winner and Leicester 2nd row star Ben Kay, apparently an articulate second row, so unusual that it should not be missed. Tickets at £40 from the committee.

Saturday 8th May
'Big Boot' competition for seniors (over 16). This is open to all-comers, soccer lads, chancers etc. who think they can kick penalties, drop goals and can kick the ball a good distance. There are cash prizes for winners. Further details from Tom Power 07851 641 267

Also, the minis and juniors end of season presentation evening at the club. Aimed at the under 14s and under 16s there will be a disco/karaoke etc.. Parents can attend if they are not embarrasing! and if any of our lads feel brave enough they can bring girlfriends (or even boyfriends)

Sunday 9th May
'Big Boot' competition for youngsters (under 16). Substantial cash prizes, this is open to non-Yardleians as well as club players. Again details from Tom Power 07851 641 267

Friday 21st May
A general knowledge QUIZ at the club starting at 7.30 with teams of 6 max. £2 per person with lovely prizes for the winners. Bring your friends to make up a team or just turn up and form a team on the night. You don't have to be clever. The questions are easy. It's just the answers that can be a problem. Quizmasters, as before, Dave Adams and Ellwyn Male.

FRIENDS OF THE OLD YARDS

Every now and again, people ask for a mention on this highly popular site. As long as they remember that we can't always fit you all in then we'll do our best (at a cost!). So, greetings to ;
Mick Ward    (Cloonfad rfc in co. Galway, Ireland)
Pat Groark, Paul Byrne    (Erdington rfc dec. the club not the guys)
Pat Tarpee           (currently at Aston Old Eds)
Rick Thorne       (old Yards, Old Griffs etc.)
Brett Packer   (Old Yards)
Alan Burgess    (Kings Norton rfc)

Nice to hear from you lads, keep in touch.

Some good news, some not quite so good.

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 10:22:39 GMT

My order of match summaries is slightly different this week, mainly to keep our readers on their toes, which is something that our first team boys should try as , in my humble opinion, we lost against Burntwood not through lack of ability or lack of effort but more as a result of not thinking on our feet. More later.

Under 16s
played Camp Hill and were narrowly beaten in a competitive game by 21-26. A special mention to Dave O'Grady (although Egg thinks its O'Brady) who has graduated into our development side. Dave is a highly committed young lad with a number of yellow cards to his name already. Good luck Dave and remember to let your rugby ability do the talking!

Under 14s
played at Kings Norton and won in style by 31-10. This team has shown great potential but without the success they probably deserve. Well, Pricey and Chicken you now qualify for a drink and Sid has promised to buy them! A special mention to new player, second row and line-out star, Ejiroo Orhorhoro. Another product of the STA Academy who is also a quality musician, welcome to the club.

Under 12s

also played at Kings Norton and won convincingly. It was interesting to see ex Old Yards second row Nigel 'Gringo' Walker coaching the young lads and to see them play an open running game remembering Nigel's views on running rugby. How refreshing!

Vandals
With the skipper away at skegness for a spring break the report comes from front row enforcer, Mark. The fixture this week being potentially very difficult against local rivals Woodrush 2nds. We got off to a bad start before the game had begun. Despite Captain Slow giving us all tasks to make sure we had a team, equipment and organisation, over excited at being selected in the back row for the first time in weeks, Roger Lazenby forgot to bring the medical kit and balls. This meant no first aid stuff for our weary bodies.

Having arrived at Woodrush their seconds were already warming up. With Woodrush having an average age of eighteen it looked like a game of bulk against speed. Stand in Captain John Lonie lead his brave men onto the field. In the front row regular props Shannon and Dai were joined by James Woodcock, a young Sils hooker, making his debut for the Vandals. In the second row John was joined by Phil Gouldbourn who continues his impressive season. To match the Woodrush youngsters we had a fast back row of Rob Bastock, Marcus “The Shark” Hope and Roger Lazenby. Phil “The General” Evans marshalled the pack from nine and outside him was Ian Neville. Smoking was joined in the centre by Ed McDonald after a late withdrawal by the Barrel. On the wings we had Kevin Coles making his debut and Tom “Pickle” Mead. The ever reliable Dave Rollins was at fullback. On the bench we had the speed of Arkell backed up by front rowers Billy Bucknall and Rick Lowe.

From the kick off the Vandals took control taking the ball on and dominating the set pieces. The Woodrush scrum was driven back all game by a dominant Vandals eight. In the lineouts Phil Goldbourn won all of our own throws while The Shark pinched nearly all of the Woodrush throw ins. Then a bad five minutes for the Vandals saw two Woodrush scores. Firstly Smoking gave away a kickable penalty for going into a ruck from the side. He was confused as the ref (in his Woodrush shorts) was letting the home players do this from the start but then penalised Smoking. Woodrush kicked the penalty. 0-3. Almost straight from the kickoff Woodrush scored a try. A Woodrush scum on the Vandals twenty-two was being driven back when the ball popped out to their number ten. He cut inside, passed our chasing back row, to score. The conversion was added. 0-10. Our younger prop Dai had seen enough. He went over to Nev and Ralph and very politely explained how they needed to keep the ball near our big old pack or Woodrush would run riot. They did this and for the next ten minutes it was all Vandals. Our forwards took control of a loose ball just inside our half and then with short punchy drives, rolling mauls and good inter play they took the ball 50 metres up field. Eventually Shannon broke free, fed the ball inside to James Woodcock who went over to the left of the posts with four defenders on him. Ralph missed the conversion. 5-10. With two minutes of the half left the forwards had another 50 metre trundle that resulted in a clever kick by Nev ahead of winger Kev Coles. He outpaced the Woodrush winger, kicked on and dived on the ball to score. Ralph again missed the kick. Half Time 10-10.

Feeling the pace and finding no real challenge in the scrums Dai left the field and Billy “Grainger’s Mentor” Bucknall took to the field for the second half. Nev also had to leave the field to replace one of his eyes. We were allowed an eye-bin replacement as speedster Rick Lowe went on the wing for two minutes (and still paid £3 match subs for those minutes). The second half saw Woodrush score two quick tries. Firstly Pickle failed to deal with a deep kick and the Woodrush winger dispossessed him before racing in to score. Then a clever cross-kick lead to a score for the Woodrush centre that was converted. 10-22. The Vandals team were in trouble. The ref in his Woodrush shorts was penalising them for anything he could while the home side got away with murder. The usual discipline of our boys meant we were also being marched back ten yards on number occasions. At this point we needed a leader to pull our boys together. Captain John Lonie decided to substitute himself. I’m sure there is a phrase somewhere out leaving a sinking ship?

New Captain Arkell joined the game. The Vandals team got together and decided they were going to play good, hard Old Yardleian rugby to change their fortunes. Things started to improve. The Vandals forwards started taking the ball on again like they did towards the end of the first half. Big holes were made in the Woodrush defence as we worked our way up the field. As the pack got into the Woodrush twenty two The General went left and found Shannon on the wing. He received the ball, cut inside two players and crossed the try line. Being a prop in a try scoring position he got confused. He tried to beat another player and just ran straight over the dead ball line. A score missed. Still the Vandals continued to press and then got within 1 metre of the Woodrush line. The defenders infringed and the ref signalled penalty advantage. Roger went over to score but the ref disallowed it and gave Woodrush a penalty??? The Vandals were still determined and within minutes they were pressing again. More forward drives took us to within 10 metres of the try line. The ball went right through the backs’ hands and Pickle scored in the corner. Despite two easy misses earlier Ralph redeemed himself by converting from the corner. 17-22. There were now fifteen minutes to go and the Vandals again attacked. The movement broke down and having received verbal’s from his opposite number all game, Rob Bastock introduced him to his elbow. The ref saw it and raised the yellow card. Rob, glad for the rest, took his punishment. Even a man down we continued to dominate with many players enjoying themselves. Arkell kept driving forward swatting off defenders like flies. Shannon was using his famous dummy and Woodrush fell for it every time. This lead to another Vandals score when after another forward trundle Ralph received the ball in space. He sprinted forward drawing in defenders before launching a long pass to Kev Coles on the wing who cut inside to complete his brace of tries. Ralph converted. 24-22. After thirteen minutes in the bin??? Rob was allowed to return to the game for the last two minutes. Intent on making the game safe the Vandals went on the attack again. As well as forward drives centres Smoking and Ed McDonald both made ground making runs. Eventually The General was stopped inches from the line. Our big pack somehow got there and recycled the ball. Nev was in the scrum half position. He took the ball and went to pass the ball out. Instead he gave an outrageous dummy and flopped over the line. Normal service resumed and Ralph missed the kick. 29-22. From the kick off the Vandals secured the ball and put it out to touch followed by the referee signalling the end of the game.

Man of the match The Shark for destroying the Woodrush lineout, tackling the fast young kids all day while still having the energy to take the ball on during the numerous Vandal drives.

Development XV

Ellwyn, the fine young skipper of our rapidly improving team, has stepped into the dark world of match reporting and his epic piece of journalism will follow shortly. Yet again all roads from Warwickshire were closed at the weekend and boundary patrols increased as Alcester were due to travel the many miles to Tilehouse Lane but were held at passport control and had to turn back. Fortunately, Birmingham Wyvern stepped in at short notice to give us a game. They tend to play a direct and confrontational type of game and usually provide a stern test for our lower sides. Well. this is how the captain saw the game!

With some pride to restore after being defeated by an unusually strong Wyvern side earlier in the season, the Development XV emerged victorious from a particularly bad tempered encounter.
Yards opened the scoring early on when Ashley Johnson, making his debut for the club, went on what was to be a typically strong and skillful run, scything through the Wyvern defence to unselfishly feed Guy Smith who then had little work to do to score. Captain Ellwyn Male, taking over kicking duties in the absence of a recognised kicker, missed the resulting conversion. Yards were on the offensive again a short time later Stuart Adams seized upon a mistake from the Wyvern backs. With the opposition dropping the ball, the confident young centre showed great footballing abilities with a couple of perfectly weighted touches to take the ball just short of the Wyvern tryline, where the ball bounced kindly into his hands leaving Adams to simply dive over. Male made no mistake with this conversion, the ball creeping inside the near post.
Wyvern responded with a try of their own after putting pressure on the home team's line. Having worked the phases well and drawn some excellent defence from Yards, the visitors decided to send the ball out wide, where a great step from the try scorer wrong-footed the otherwise excellent Phil Williams. With the following conversion attempt successful, the scoreline was narrowed to 12-7, where it stayed until the second half. However, the remaining ten minutes of the half were far from uneventful. Not long after the restart flanker Dan Green, celebrating his 18th birthday, was sin-binned for a needless trip on an opponent in full view of the referee. Wyvern took the initiative and following a poor pass from wing Male to full-back Dave Simpson made their one man advantage count by heaping significant pressure on the Old Yardleians' tryline. Initially forcing two try saving tackles from the Old Yards scramble defence, the visiting team spent the remainder of the first half on their opponent's five metre line. With the forwards being marshalled brilliantly by the second row partnership of Chris Rhodes and Dave Langley, Wyvern could not convert this pressure into points, however. Old Yards defended bravely, hooker Greg Allen taking a scrum against the head following quick thinking from Guy Smith to ground a loose ball, preventing a score. Regaining possession following an infringement from Wyvern, Yards' stand-in fly-half Jake Curtis did not hesitate in kicking the ball to touch, ending the first half.
Old Yardleians made a number of changes at half time, with Matt Spence replacing the hard grafting Ollie Wickens in the back row, another new recruit Laurence Edwards slotting in at outside centre in the place of Stuart Adams while John Bosworth made way for Dave O'Brady, making only his second senior start, on the left wing. Lee Cupples would also replace Dan Green five minutes later when the ten minute sin bin was over.
From the restart, Wyvern continued from where they had left off in the second half and attacked well. Once again, however, the visitors were toothless and Old Yards repelled every attack, grabbing the opportunity to work their way up the field after an overly weighted kick resulted in a 22 drop out. A penalty awarded 35 metres out from the Wyvern tryline provided a platform for a series of attacks in the visitor's 22. Eventually Yards achieved what their opponents could not and turned territory and possession into points. Centre Ashley Johnson went on yet another powerful and deft run, leaving a series of defenders in his wake on the way to scoring a magnificent individual try. With Male stroking over the conversion with ease, Yards were left in a commanding position twelve points up with less than twenty minutes remaining.

However, Wyvern were not out of this game and applied the pressure again with a smartly taken restart kicked short to the backs on the right with the forwards lined up on the left. Retrieving their own kick they came forward, forcing great tackles from the replacement backs, Edwards and O'Brady, who were aware of the danger amd quick to react. Wyvern had taken note of the overlaps they were creating out wide and started to provide their backs with ball. Another fantastic step inside from a Wyvern back brought a superb tackle from loosehead prop Troy Batters, who although wrong footed somehow managed to dive across and get hold of the attacker's ankle, who had created plenty of space for himself and looked certain to score. Wyvern soon reeled Old Yards in again when the home defence was caught napping, scoring a simple try underneath the posts. The conversion was no problem and game was open again.

Soon after the restart, hooker Allen was forced off injured and was replaced by Dan Green in an uncontested scrum. Eager to put the game beyond doubt Old Yards attacked immediately from the restart. O'Brady ran two great lines from deep on Curtis' inside shoulder, gaining significant ground each time. Edwards followed suit with a similarly powerful run. Yards continued to threaten the Wyvern tryline, with battering ram Dave Langley making a particularly strong charge through the visitor's defence. With barely a minute left Dave Hanson, returning from a lengthy lay off through injury came onto the wing, O'Brady moving into the pack in place of the departing Tim Russell. Old Yardleians were awarded a scrum in front of the Wyvern posts, and the ball was quickly shipped out wide to Hanson who used his fantastic pace to score in the corner. Following the difficult conversion attempt from the touchline, which had the distance but not the accuracy, the final whistle was blown with the result standing at 24 points to 14 in favour of the Old Yardleians' Second Team.
This was a well deserved victory for a young side who played as a team refused to be bullied by larger oppostion, and also excelled both in defence and attack. Man of the Match was awarded to Ashley Johnson for his powerful runs, which earnt him a try and set up Guy Smith's score. Special mentions go to Phil Williams for some typically solid tackling and Stuart Adams for smart thinking both in attack and defence.

First XV

Result: OY's 13 – Burntwood 23

OY's missed out on an opportunity to reverse an earlier league defeat to Saturday's visitors Burntwood mainly due to uncharacteristic defensive lapses and crucial failures to capitalise on points scoring opportunities.

After two minutes, early mistakes and loose play gave Burntwood a position on the OY's 22, from which the Burntwood stand off took off on an elusive run and assisted by non existent defence, scored a good try wide out to give the visitors an early 0 – 5 lead. From this point, the home side struggled to get their act together in the face of a well organised pack and lively backs, and continued to concede possession by ball carriers becoming isolated and territory by conceding soft penalties.

At 20 minutes, with the game more even as the OY's came back at the visitors with a more solid performance up front, and domination in the lineout, stand off Ben Honey was able to make inroads into Burntwood territory through shrewd tactical kicking from hand, well supported by the chasing backs, however two minutes later, the OY's lineout was penalised for a technical offence, and with the posts in range, the Burntwood kicker made no mistake. Further points were added to the visitor's total when the OY's, in possession and clearing a Burntwood attack from under the posts, conceded a further penalty, seemingly for retaliation following a late tackle. The resultant kick took the score to 0 – 11.

Approaching half time, the home side was now beginning to dominate both in terms of possession and territory; the scrum was taking regular ball against the head, and the lineout solid, and the resulting pressure was eventually rewarded with a penalty to OY's, converted by Ben Honey.

After the restart, with the score at 3- 11, the OY's were well on top, and the visitors under pressure to keep out successive attacks through the backs, well supported by the pack, so that momentum was maintained. Within minutes, play was on the visitor's line, and an efficient forward drive saw lock forward Mickey Brennan break away to drive over for a well deserved try wide out, converted by Ben Honey. The visitors were now in a match, and hanging on just in front with the score at 10 -11. Further pressure presented the OY's with another kickable penalty on the Burntwood 22 for not releasing, which enabled the resurgent OY's to take a deserved lead for the first time in the match at 13 – 11.

Now in command of the match, the OY's were playing the in the visitor's half, and twice positions were gained close to the Burntwood line with the OY's to throw in to the lineout, which they were dominating, but, inexplicably, instead of throwing short to a recognised jumper, an thus guaranteeing possession and a drive for the line, the ball was thrown long, overlong, into the hands of a grateful Burntwood standoff who twice cleared the ball downfield, and twice the opportunity to close out the match was lost.

Into the final quarter of the match, the OY's pack after dominating in the set pieces up to this point, began to run out of gas, and could not secure their own ball without a struggle. Eventually, ball was lost against the head on half way, and a quick feed saw the Burntwood stand off again set off on a mazy run, brushing aside more poor defence to eventually cross over in the corner for his second and unconverted try to bring the score to 13 – 16 after 26 minutes. With the home side now under the hammer, the game was wrapped up twelve minutes later following a second, converted try when ball was secured following broken play, and the visitors swept through now ragged defence to close out the match 13 – 23 to Burntwood

This defeat was a disappointment for the OY's who, despite a bad start against competent opposition, showed good character and determination in coming right back into the match and taking and holding the lead, but then allowed poor tactical decisions to squander real chances to build significantly on that advantage.

Wednesbury experience a taste of Honey!

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 12:19:15 GMT

First Team Match Report

Opposition: Wednesbury (Home) Result: OY's 37 – Wednesbury 6

20th March 2010

Having gone down 25 – 5 away in the first meeting between the two sides in the league this season, OY's emphasised their recent return to form by reversing that result with a resounding and stylish 37 – 6 victory at home against mid table Wednesbury.

From the kick off, the OY's established and held significant territorial advantage, and this pattern was maintained for the majority of the game. However tight defence on the part of both teams denied any scoring opportunities until 21 minutes of the first half had elapsed when Ben Honey maintained his impeccable form with the boot by putting OY's ahead with a well taken penalty given for offside. After 25 minutes, Wednesbury finally made inroads into the OY's half, to draw level with a penalty awarded for not moving away after the tackle. Encouraged, the visitors continued to attack, mainly using their inside centre on the crash ball, but this tactic, which was to be used continually throughout the match, generally came to nothing due to solid 1st line defence on the part of Ben Honey and Dave Rimmer, with Mark Banyard effective off the back row.

Back in the Wednesbury half from a quickly taken free kick, the visitors were penalised for hands in the ruck, and OY's took the lead to 6 -3. On 40 minutes, aggressive scrummaging by the front row, and in particular prop A. Foy took ball against the head, a quick feed saw inside centre D Rimmer held up on the visitors line. The resulting scrum to OY's was no contest, and a pushover try credited to Steve Grainger converted by Ben Honey took the half time score to 13 -3 to the OY's

The second half began with the home side on the attack, but five minutes in, cheap penalties enabled the visitors to gain a position in the OY'S 22, from which a further penalty for diving in was awarded under the posts to Wednesbury to bring the score to 13 - 6. Seven minutes later, and attacking in the visitor's half, a good missed move in the backs enabled Adam Walker, in space to put in a well weighted kick ahead. Mark Banyard, in support, secured the ball to get the line going forward again for Steve Grainger in midfield to draw the defence and put Andy Pearce in to touch down near the posts for a converted try, stretching the OY's lead to 20 – 6.

By now well on top, and again playing the game in the Wednesbury half, pressure on the visitors fullback forced a misdirected kick which Joe Patrick turned into attack, making good ground and feeding S Grainger who took the ball to ground for the visitors to concede a penalty under their posts.

With the score at 23 -6 to the OY's, the home side were playing well in all departments, with the lineout and scrum safe, always threatening the visitors' set plays, and good possession enabling the backs to play an expansive game, with plenty of ball reaching the wings.

With half an hour gone, Captain Steve Grainger was taken off with an ankle injury, and Mick Brennan moved to the back row enabling Andy Killarney on as replacement, additionally, Luke Harris took over duties at hooker.

Five minutes later, with the OY's backs running ball at every opportunity, outside centre Joe Patrick, who was having a good match, was held up on the line after making a good break midway out on the left. Quick scrum ball to Ben Honey was fed back inside to winger Andy Pearce coming in at pace, who with men to beat battered his way over under the posts for his second try of the match. The conversion, now a formality for Ben Honey, brought the score to 30 – 6 to the OY's

With the match drawing to a close, and the visitors in possession and in attack on the OY's 22, once again strong defence forced an error which enabled scrum half Lee Purdey to pounce on a loose ball and break through the Wednesbury line, which was flat and moving forward. After committing what was left of the defence, a well timed pass was put to fullback Jim Hendricks in support, who had no trouble in outpacing the chasing opposition over the fifty meters or so between him and the line. Again, Ben Honey made no mistake with the conversion to bring the final score to OY's 37, Wednesbury 6.

This was a good result for the OY's and reflected the performance of a side playing to their potential with confidence, capitalising on chances in all areas, and effectively closing down the efforts of dogged opposition who, despite the score kept going to the end.

The captain of the Development team is still putting together his match report but I gather that they lost narrowly at Old Salts.

Our Vandals(3rds) were, yet again, left without a match due to the Salts crying off at the last moment. However, super fixture sec. Tom Power managed to get a game against a team who had the same problem as ourselves and we are grateful for Evesham coming to play us at such short notice. Let's see what the captain has to say.

Well our last scheduled home game at Tilehouse Lane saw us in a hastily rearranged fixture against Evesham, Old Saltleians having repeated their November exploits of crying off AGAIN at the last minute; perhaps Mark's conspiracy theory of people actually reading what I write does have a bearing when the end of the week comes around (we know a song about that don't we?)

Well from having four front row players on Friday morning to having none by the afternoon, due to call ups and cry-offs Big Roger again "volunteered" at loosehead alongside Bill Burrows who against medical advice (what do they know anyway?) returned to the side at tighthead (and who has since admitted "grazing in the front row is more fun than I remember"). Then after contacting more old hookers than live in Cheddar Road all without success I turned to the former North Midlands hooking legend that is Steve Sidwell who at 58 really should know better. I'm gonna paraphrase the next twelve hours' selection machinations, but very "unexpectedly" Dai Baldwin became "available" again at Saturday lunchtime (note the judicious use of speech marks here) and the pair agree to job share at hooker.

With Dick & Dom aka John Lonie & Phil Gouldbourn forming the second row partnership for the tenth time this season (John being our most capped forward on sixteen appearances incidentally) and a guy I can't praise I highly enough for his on-field nouse & leadership of our Eight. In the back row our two master tacklers Nick Levey & Marcus Hope with a first Vandals appearance for the former Solihull No.8 Rob Bastock oddly enough at No.8.

With Shaun the Sheep directing operations at scrum half; the guy has his own flock you know and will entertain all conversations mint sauce & ewe's bits if you ask him. Bet he's been glued to the Beeb's recent live lambing shows, remember to wash your hands after shaking his mind. Ian Neville returning to fly half having found being on the wing boring, with Gary Williams & Lee Coates forming our attack minded midfield. The back three remaining unchanged from last week with Cedric Farrell & Phil Watson on the wings and Ralph Rollins at fullback.

Big bench this week (good job too as it turned out) with the Colt Arkell, Alistair Gouldbourn, Matt "Crouchy" Spence, Sid, Captain Slow, and a bit of youth for the backs in Sam Richards, possibly our youngest player of the season at 17.

Now Evesham are a club on the up, their Firsts unbeaten and top of Midlands 4 West (South), and having just made it into the last eight of the National Junior Vase, even their third string are second in their local merit table (wonderful thing the interweb) but I really didn't anticipate the size of the side that faced us on Saturday with some truly hefty lads out there. How often do you see six & a half footers at prop at our level, even if he was a Pole with little or no rugby experience! Their No.5 the size of Warley's lump but with the difference that this one could run and knew what he was doing. With a strong running second row playing at fly half, obviously too bloody small to get in his own boiler room and a largely young set of backs outside him they looked a very handy side.

Thanks to Tom Power for adjudicating, good referees are hard to come by these days, in fact any referees are hard to come by these days.

Was chatting to their young winger as the sides lined up, who'd swiftly noticed that we lined up a "second row" against him, "oh no I said, he really is a winger, you'll see in a bit"....oh how they laughed.

Anyway we kicked off and Cedric wearing his brand new shorts lasted all of three minutes, in fact he probably spent more time changing into them on the touchline than he did on the park, limping off with a leg injury following a tackle and on comes Sam Richards in his highlighter yellow go faster boots for his Vandals debut.

The first five or ten minutes was a bruising affair, with Evesham endlessly hurling their big units at Nick & Marcus, but technically the Hitman & Assassin were just in the right places at the right time making tackle after tackle (the benefits of being fitter than most really showing).

But eventually after about ten minutes the ball was finally spun out wide to Horse on the wing and he promptly ran round the aforementioned young lad giving him the big hand leaving him flat on his face to score under the posts for our first try (told you so). Ralph converts 7-0

The forwards continue to secure good ball and a very similar straight forward set of hands sees Horse gallop in for his second try leaving his hapless opposite number thinking he was in for a long old afternoon; though think he did get close enough to get clattered this time. And then followed much advice from his mates under the posts on how he should stop the behemoth! Ralph continuing in his rich vein of kicking form (yes Lee I know they're all putting them under the posts for him) converts for a 14-0 lead.

Evesham's first try was a bit of of our own making with Lee getting ambitious on the halfway line and taking on not one, not two but three defenders as he tried threading his way though, in the car crash that followed Evesham managed to creatively punt the ball up field winning the race to score but our scramble defence does enough to keep them wide enough out for the kicker to miss the conversion 14-5

Then medium sized Phil (remember we are blessed with three) despite struggling with a touch of cramp goes over out wide for his jug earning hat trick following crisp ball through the hands of Nev, Smoking & Coatesy. Ralph doesn't get this one but we are looking well worth our 19-5 lead. It's a Clash of the Titans still up front with the Apostles Rob, Rog, Bill, Phil, Mark & John giving it large to their opposite numbers in the short yardage exchanges.

A few minutes pass and a high kick fielded expertly by Gouldbourn Snr is passed to Ralph who takes both ball and a BUPA membership, Evesham recycle and whip the ball away to score their second, which is converted 19-12. They're not done yet and press for an equaliser, but there are no further scores.

Halftime 19-12 Dai goes off Sid goes on. Nev has already got got his beanie & coat on by the time he comes to the huddle (but Slow politely points out we'd used up our replacement back) and he goes off to get undressed again. And it appears Bill has seen off his big Eastern European mate.

On we go then for second half playing towards where the beer is, and Horse obviously in the mood decides that three isn't enough and goes and scores his fourth shortly after 24-0 Conversion missed. Slow rings a couple of changes first on comes the Icon Arkell replacing Nick on the flank, followed not long after by Crouchy on for Marcus, our starting flankers both having tackled themselves to a standstill. Next Shannon comes on having sped back from a North Mids meeting at Stourbridge to slot in at loosehead with Rog moving into steerage and Rob coming off for a well earned rest.

Our top try scorer Coatesy obviously now feeling threatened by Horse's exploits decides enough is enough and decides he's not going to pass to him anymore and sets about scoring a quick fire individual brace ghosting round/though/past (delete as appropriate) defenders and leaving them for dead, with Ralph converting the second for an unassailable 36-12 lead. Alistair Gouldbourn on to join big brother in the engine room and John comes off, our pack getting larger by the minute until Big Phil comes off complaining about a pain in his backside??!! Captain on deck, and Arks moves into the second row. Tom also goes off to be replaced by Mark with the whistle for the final quarter.

Now our final score I saw lying down (resting obviously, these cameos really taking it out of me) despite lots of pressure by our forwards in front of their posts Evesham manage to punt the ball directly out from behind their line I watch the ball travel over my head only to see it seemingly instantaneously returning in the opposite direction and bisecting the uprights, it having landed in Ralph's hands who decided to score our season's first drop goal.

Final score 39-12 Final age 621

Man of the match Phil Watson for his four try haul and his unprompted buying of the beer afterwards.

Up Saturday at home are local neighbours Woodrush 2nds, I myself will be on the Cruise Liner Island Escape sailing to Las Palmas Gran Canaria investigating possible future tour locations all around the Canaries & Morocco....the things I do for you lot.

No Vandals game Easter Saturday 3rd April.

Thanks too to Ralph and his photographic memory in the writing of this report.

One final thing our young winger Sam chipped a bone in his foot playing the round ball game on Sunday (remember when we used to play two games a weekend) they just don't make boots like they used to, especially bright yellow ones! We wish him a speedy recovery.

Sunday Morning

For once the weather was on our side and the under 16 boys made the trip to Stratford. Academy star Daniel Cushing informs me that it was a good and closely fought game and that we narrowly lost 12-15. I must mention that Dan actually played roundball for the academy (St. Thomas Aquinas for those without such knowledge) and came off the bench to play target man up front. Dan didn't quite score but worked hard in a 3-0 win over Colmers Farm. Also, well played Jack Molloy in the same game.

The under 8s entertained Edwardians in what Shannon describes as a very open and high scoring match. He lost count of the score but informs me that everyone scored a lot of tries.

As I live close enough to the Eds to walk there, I decided to take the car around to Streetsbrook road to watch a fascinating 3 way contest between the under 14 teams of Yards, Eds and Bees. I am not exactly certain of the scores as I was distracted by much friendly conversation and also by Chicken's non-stop vocal encouragement and tactical advice. Bolstered by county squad players Ben and Reece from the Academy the Ys played a lot of good attacking rugby but with less emphasis on defence. Our first game was against the Eds then we combined with the Bees to beat the Eds and then we should have played the Bees but the bar was open. Good weather, good fun, enjoyable rugby and, as usual, good hospitality from the hosts.
A special thanks to the Price boys, Steve and Paul' without whom, there would be no teams.

No predictions this week as Shannon says that I'm becoming too good. Just to say that if Arsenal don't beat The Blues then I will be sicker than a parrot, even sicker than a colt on tour!

The calm before the storm??

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 10:11:55 GMT

Without a league match this week the first team up against opposition from a league higher than ourselves, Spartans from the fringes of Sutton, came unstuck by 7-25. However, all will be forgotten if we beat Wednesbury in our home league match this coming saturday.
The Development team played a Claverdon team made up of a considerable number of their first team. We lost by 7-29 with our try coming from Phil Williams our back row powerhouse.
The Vandals kept the flag flying with another stunning victory.

Vandals Report

This Saturday saw us at Tilehouse Lane in a rearranged fixture (mind that depends which Club's fixture list you look at) against the boys from the Black Country in the form of Warley 2nds. A side who had previously deemed we were too strong for them in early October but who by now it appears were on a bit of an unbeaten run of ten games, and now fancying their chances; and it showed as they'd turned up in good order and proceeded to warm up for best part of 40 minutes doing the usual assortment of fancy passing drills and warm-ups so fashionable these days. We also get a nice early opportunity to see their fairly immense young twenty stoner in the second row.

We on the other hand warmed up in our usual manner by staying in the changing room for as long as possible, not that it's any bloody warmer in the Scandinavian open plan changing room we get to use when all three sides are at home...perhaps a log burner in order??
Our referee today that Old Yards leg-end Darren Collingwood refereeing in his first senior game, and how many times have I heard it remarked around the Club "poacher turned gamekeeper"? His dad looked proud anyway.
One new Vandal in the starting line-up in Dave "Red Dwarf" Rimmer at outside centre, starting his First Team rehabilitation and hoping that it will last the remaining five Vandals games (yes that's all folks) just in time for the defence of our Balti Bowl at Old Eds on the 24th April (PLEASE ALL NOTE THIS DATE) when he too will be 35......old and therefore eligible. Dave replacing Simon "the Time Lord" Davis who's mobile and TARDIS must have malfunctioned (even though those wise old Sages at selection told me he wouldn't turn up). Dave partnering Nick "the Barrel" Palmer in yet another centre combination, Nick having received the all clear from the clinic. Last week's half back pairing Phil "the General" Evans & Gary "Smoking" Williams staying unchanged with a new back three in Phil "Horse" Watson, Cedric Farrell and Dave "Ralph" Rollins returning to his more accustomed role as last man standing.

Our pack showing two changes from last week both in the front row, with the return of Rick "Cheekbone" Lowe at tighthead and Richard "Jacko" Jacks continuing his comeback at hooker, which meant Roger "the Dodger" Lazenby moving back into the glory boys of the back row alongside Nick "the assassin" Levey and Rupert "the Major" Young. The Dick & Doms of our side in John Lonie & Phil Goldbourn again providing the grunt in the engine room, and last but by no means least the rock upon which our scrum is built and the General's new short yardage go-to man Shannon Killarney.

A large bench this week, with Ian Neville returning to action after his late Christmas present from Camps, and simply returning big Phil's little brother Alistair Goldbourn. Captain Slow again having the luxury of being eighteenth man. Good also to see Bill "Armchair" Burrows who whilst on the touchline simply couldn't be persuaded to put his kit on.

No Idea if we won the toss or not as I left that up to my stunt double John.

Anyway Warley kick off and from it we secure good ball get a nice maul going before the General feeds Smokes who immediately brings Horse into the action with a nice inside pop unfortunately the ball is not taken cleanly, Darren plays good advantage to Warley and they make no mistake capitalising on the turnover and spin the ball out wide going through several pairs of hands to score in the corner with about two minutes on the clock. 0-5, touchline conversion missed. Not the best of starts and some sniggers in the Warley camp already thinking this was going to be win number eleven, oh how wrong they were after being confronted with perhaps one of the best halves of joined up rugby we've played all season!

From the restart comes the first trundle by their big unit, trundle being the operative word, but knowing where he was going all the same in aiming for our fly half, but Gaz was having none of it and down he goes like a sack of potatoes. Can't remember who said it but similarities drawn with Master Blaster of Mad Max 3 fame.

Our equalising try wasn't long in coming, the forwards consolidating possession just inside the Warley twenty two the ball spun out to Ralphy who "scrambled" (his words) past two defenders; now I have a feeling the General said we had two or three men available, so it was a good job he got over. Ralph converts for 7-5 lead.

Warley undaunted by our swift reply get things going again and from a scrum spin the ball across the park but Ralph has glanced into his crystal balls anticipating the pass and comes into the line taking the interception on our ten metre line and legs it in under the posts to score. Nice easy conversion.

Ralph 14 Warley 5

Despite the Warley put-ins beginning to resemble those of Hull KR, their scrum is beginning to creak at the seams under the pressure from our eight, with Jacko going fishing and taking several balls against the head, or else we simply drive 'em off it. It's a similar story in the lineouts with the Major causing all manner of chaos at two on their throw in and big Phil as usual cleaning up at four.

Finally someone else gets on the score sheet when Nick the Younger, barrels his way through the Warley defence, but gets held up just short, but the General is in support to take the pass and go over. Ralph goes 3 for 3 for a 21-5 lead.

Our next try is by a man called Horse, who if at first you don't succeed, holds onto Smoke's inside pass just inside the Warley ten metre line and bludgeons his way through the cover defence brushing off would be tacklers to score. Ralph now well and truly in the zone converts 28-5

With the Warley line under pressure they try to clear but our rush defence is in their faces and their kick is charged down by Rimski who collects and goes over for our fifth unanswered try. Ralph converts for a perfect five from five.

Half time 35-5 and one of their replacements remarking that they'd just been taught a rugby lesson.

The game already lost, Warley with nothing to lose come out all guns blazing and spend the first five minutes of the half camped on our line, but our defence is resolute repelling attack after attack, with us finally turning the ball over and kicking to touch, the defensive efforts of our forwards matching the attacking first half exploits of our backs with Roger, Shan, & Nick the Elder all to the fore.

Ten minutes in Dom Lonie goes off and on rumbles Ali G for his first game of the season, packing down with big brother.

However, Warley do manage to notch up three second half tries, one of them converted, as we lose a bit of defensive shape allowing young legs to get in behind us, their best player and fullback notching up a hat trick. In between these Horse gets his second, the ball being spun out to him wide on the wing, breaking tackle after tackle, but getting stopped a yard or two short (he is human after all) he gets some help from his friends who drive him forward enough for his immense reach to ground the ball 40-22. This kick proves a little too far out for Ralph.

Phil goes off and on comes Nev for the remainder of the game staying out of trouble on the wing, and Slow has a last few minutes on the flank as Nick the Elder goes off. Whistle goes shortly after.

Final score 40-22 Final age 651 (those two infants in our midfield bringing the age down)

Man of the match Ralph for a great individual performance and a twenty point haul including a perfect first half five for five.

There were a couple of RFU non approved training camps at the weekend. We await Mark's report from Dublin with interest.

Meanwhile, I was lucky enough to play a part in the Bristol squad session led by the very knowledgeable Stephen C Painter (Dip F. D.) Steve knew useful things such as Daniel Defoe writing 'Robinson Crusue' in a pub that we were visiting and Steve was only a colt at the time!and that Gary Glitter was tried in the courthouse opposite our hotel. For my sins I was trapped in the lift with 10 fascinating (very loud) members of a hen party, including 3 generations of the bride's family. Grandma, just in case you read this, yes you are still very attractive, even though you come from Erdington and yes I did know what that 'object' sticking out of your hat was supposed to be. Memories hey what! Jan Ullah reports that Weston was nice. Get off at the right station next time and don't fall asleep.
Predictions for this weekend, wins for France, Ireland and Wales and in round ball, Arsenal to win again as they march towards the double. With last week's predictions being 100% correct, watch this space!

Sunday morning games

Under 16 v Stratford (away)
Under 14 v Eds (away)
Under 8 v Eds (home)

Under 9s and Under 12s check with your team managers.

Pictures of the U12s v Walsall on 7th March

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT

Brian's pitches would never get this bad, he looks too much like Nick Easter!

See the entire 2009-2010 album here.

Or, see the Walsall game pictures below;

A Crucial Win At Bloxwich!

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 12:00:32 GMT

First Team Match Report

Opposition: Bloxwich (Away) Result: Bloxwich 5 - OY's 28

6th March 2010

On Saturday, OY's bounced back in convincing style from last weeks disappointing performance against Newcastle (Staffs) with four tries and an improved performance away against a hard and uncompromising Bloxwich side whose forward power gave the OY's problems throughout the match.

The home side's rugged approach to the game was evidenced after six minutes of the first half when a Bloxwich second row forward was yellow carded for over vigorous use of the knee, and with the advantage of numbers, the OY's began to dominate, and enjoy quality possession. Telling breaks were made by Lee Purdey and Mick Brennan, well supported by Steve Grainger. Stand off Ben Honey made good use of quick ball, with the back division well organised to take advantage of some well directed tactical kicking to turn and pressurise the opposition.

After 13 minutes, from a scrum 30 meters out, Lee Purdey took advantage of a poorly defended blind side to make the break, commit the full back and put Adam Walker in for the first try, to be converted by Ben Honey.

Two minutes later, again from good scrum possession on the half way line, Ben Honey worked a short inside pass to left winger Andy Pearce who took the ball at full speed and was through. Again, with only the full back to beat, the pass was well timed to Steve Grainger in support, who made no mistake with a try under the posts, converted by Ben Honey.

Despite now coming under pressure in the tight, sufficient quality ball was being won to pose Bloxwich severe problems, but a golden opportunity to go further ahead was wasted following an aggressive break and drive by Phil Painter into the Bloxwich 22, when the ball was taken back into traffic instead to being fed out to winger Adam Walker, in position unmarked and with the line at his mercy.

Following the break, Bloxwich were right back in the match through their forwards, with the OY's generally outgunned in the tight, struggling to maintain their own lineout possession due to some wayward throwing in, and being driven back in the loose through some well organised forward drives. Although this gave the home side some useable possession, their attacks with the ball in hand were well stifled by solid first line defence up fast with additional harassment being provided by the back row.

On 23 minutes, from possession won on half way, Ben Honey mounted an attack through the backs with fullback Jim Hendricks coming into the line as a decoy runner. Inside centre D Brain's perfect looped pass missed the two players outside him, to be collected by right winger Adam Walker who, this time with men to beat, did so and went over in the corner for his second try. Ben Honey converted well from wide out to bring the score to Bloxwich 0 - OY's 21.

Two minutes later, a midfield break by Steve Grainger was turned over due to lack of support, and to counter, Bloxwich elected to kick ahead, but a misdirected effort went straight to left winger Andy Pearce, who took on the cover from 50 meters out to score a spectacular try in the corner. Ben Honey, who by now couldn’t miss if he tried, made no mistake with the conversion.

On 27 minutes, second row Phil Painter, still nursing a neck injury, gave way to Dave Langley and hard working hooker Billy Bucknall was replaced by Luke Harris. Shortly afterwards fullback J Hendricks, a little out of touch this week, was replaced by A Walker moving from the wing, with his position being filled on the right by the promising Sam Richards

Although Bloxwich continued to dominate the tight, and were still on top in the loose, the OY's were beginning to steal their lineout ball through the efforts of M Brennan, and this, together with very sharp defence stifling any attacks, the home side allowed frustration to creep into their game, to the extent that their Stand off earned himself a red card, for allegedly making a crudely disparaging remark regarding the referee's eyesight.

Five minutes before the end of the match, a second certain try went begging when Steve Grainger, again quickly up in defence, charged down an attempted kick over the top, to find the ball at his feet, and the line at his mercy. An attempt to control the rolling ball and hack it over the line with the feet failed miserably with the ball squirting tamely into touch, underlining the wisdom of his decision to pursue rugby, rather than the round ball game.

Despite the scoreline, and their reduced numbers, Bloxwich were not going to go down without a fight, and to their credit, their forwards continued to batter the OY's up front, taking play to the OY's line. Second row Dave Langley was yellow carded for failing to move away after a tackle, and consequently the OY's, now weakened up front, were unable to contain a determined set scrum drive with the Bloxwich No 8 picking up to score a deserved try in the corner.

With the conversion failing, the match ended with a score of OY's 28 – Bloxwich 5, which was a fair reflection of the OY's dominance in open play despite being under, but coping with, significant pressure up front. The side played to their potential, created good chances and took them well, and can be satisfied with the result, which could have been even more emphatic but for the two missed chances.

Meanwhile back at the ranch, our Development team waited for Aston Old Eds and waited and waited and eventually practised some moves and then retired to the bar.

Vandals v Ason Old Eds

The over 45s aka the Vandals travelled across town to Sunnyside Avenue and played against Aston. The captain's report follows. I think that he does himself a lack of justice both as team manager/captain and as a reporter. There have also been glimpses of rugby playing ability according to rumours.

Our eighteenth competitive game (yes it really has been that many) took us over to Aston Old Edwardian's Sunnybank Avenue ground on Saturday with a pitch in parts that amazingly given the recent wet weather resembled a beach volleyball court.

Having had all manner of problems regarding our front row this week. My original plan for Rog to play tighthead (for the princely sum of a can of Coke & two fingers of fudge for the kids) myself to hook (uncontested obviously) with Shannon playing loose was luckily averted when Ed's third string cried off late having forgotten to ring each other or some such maladministration freeing up John Terry wannabe Greg Allen to dash over to hook.

The back five comprising John & Phil in the boiler room for the eighth time this season and a new back row combination of Nick "the Assassin" Levey & Marcus "the Hit Man" Hope, both living up to their nicknames covering lots of yards and making loads of tackles all afternoon, with "the Major" Rupert Young at No.8.

The General as always providing the link with the attendants, with Gary "Smoking" Williams directing traffic at fly half after a few weeks out and Chairman Fitz at inside centre returning after his gunshot wound, alongside the Exocet Coatesy.

In the back three a welcome first outing for Simon "the Time Lord" Davis on the wing who thought he'd like to treat himself to a game for his 44th birthday, with Ralph (only scrum half to go now) joining him on the opposite wing and Mike "Nearly" Neary as last man standing.

Captain Slow loses the toss and Aston unsurprisingly elect to play up the dune in the first half.

Having had a ten day lay off the first ten or so minutes was a bit of a touchy feely affair with neither side really making any big sand castles, with a lot of cunning international tactics being employed, and the ball being hoofed up hill and down dune.

An interesting match up at 9 saw the General up against a lad young enough to be his love child and not old enough to shave, but Phil showed him that a good oldun can still show a good youngun a thing or two leaving him (and our support) standing on a couple of occasions setting off on several of his now trademark mazy breaks.

Unfortunately, after 12 minutes (very precise he was there) of his comeback Chairman Fitz was again a victim of the sniper on the grassy ok sandy knoll coming off with a pulled calf and Captain Slow comes onto the wing indecently early with Simon moving into centre.

The deadlock was finally broken just after the twenty minute mark when a loose ball in Aston's midfield and just inside their half saw Coatesy pounce and kick ahead collecting the ball from his laces and gassing the defence to score midway out for Ralph to convert for a just about deserved 7-0 lead.

We were unlucky not to increase our lead when Rog rumbled over from short range only to have it disallowed by the ref (in his first game incidentally) after claiming Roger had made contact with him on his way to the line!?

With the Major jumping at two and Big Phil dominating in the middle, our lineout was taking most things aerial in no small part thanks to Greg's throwing in and either snaffling or disrupting anything on Aston's own throw. Similarly our scrummage was more than a match for the Aston eight with increasingly good quality ball following, with both Smokes & Lee making lots of breaks and Simon's baseball bat to Lee's rapier approach breaking all but a few first up tackles.

With about five minutes to half time, we were awarded a penalty about twenty metres out which General Evans takes quickly spinning it to Shannon in support who in turn puts "Nearly" in at the corner for a 12-0 lead. Conversion just missed.

Half Time 12-0

In the opening minutes of the second half our forwards began to exert more and more control and Aston begin to hinder their own cause by breaking their own players; first their young openside with concussion and then their second row with ribs and so are forced to bring on their colossus the aptly named Big Mick who makes Rog look positively anorexic, and who spends most of his time killing the ball by toppling over it. Their play also begins to become increasingly predictable with their fly half opting to kick more often than not, which are all swept up by our back three (don't worry I'll come to mine later).

About ten minutes in sees our forwards camped just short of Aston's line and following a series of short range drives it sees Nick just stopped short but manages to get the pass away to Ralph who shows how it should be done going over wide out. 17-0 Ralph just fails to convert his own work. But we are now well in control.

Then one of those great bits of skill in a game that stays in the mind, the ball was spun out to Simon who appeared to bend the laws of time and space holding the ball it seemed for an eternity completely fixing their defence before releasing the ball to Ralph and we make more valuable yards.

Shortly after another great series of passes sees the ball fly through the hands of the backs to Mike coming in on the overlap to score his second try in the corner. Ralph's conversion is just short. 22-0

With about fifteen minutes to go John opts to collect his slippers and on comes the Colt Arkell, having delayed his appearance by five minutes so as to have another fag.

Another free flowing move in the threequarters sees Slow trying to catch Coatsey's miss pass in his mouth with the try line begging rather than using the bars of soap I was born with, and yes it bloody hurt both my mouth and my pride. I did take the referee to task in the bar afterwards as he had given a knock on and a scrum against us when quite clearly I was trying to outwit the covering defender with an unorthodox but quite legal method of propelling the ball forward, in fact through the tears I noticed the ball ended up going out a few metres from the line and I'm sure we'd have scored from the lineout. Even those mercurial players Gregor Townsend, David Campese and Stuart Barnes had their moments where a piece of brilliant and intuitive piece of skill had come to nought.

Anyway shortly after to make up for it and having seen Mike do it earlier I try to be clever in calling a mark only to see the ball cannon into space off my manly chest for another scrum to Aston. Now can you see why I want to retire!!!

Obviously with the recent controversies in the international game, with only seconds remaining and referee calling last play you can either hoof the ball backwards into touch or execute some daring slight of hand to win the game.....and we opt for the latter (though I would have settled for 22-0). The forwards secure good ball and Phil spins it out to Gary, and onto Simon who pops it back inside to Ralph coming off the wing on the inside and moving like an express train through the gain line, he draws the last defender and pops it to Coatsey who lights 'em up to score (our 80th try of the season) under the posts. Ralph converts.

Final score 29-0 Final age 635

Finally, some stats highest number of Vandals appearances and highest personal points tally is still Ralph with 16 and 98 points respectively, with Coatesy doing it the hard way in second with sixteen tries and 80 points, and he asks that we all start scoring wider out to make it a little more competitive.

Simon was our 59th player of the season with 13 players having now played ten or more times. This was our 13th competitive victory excluding Shannon's Vandals Actuals v Possibles and our Boxing Day lesson in mauling for the under 30's, with just the five losses two of which were by two or less points.

This coming saturday sees a break from league action. There are 3 home games, the first team play Harborne, the Devs host Claverdon 1st xv and the Vandals entertain Claverdon 2nds. All games kick off at 2.15 pm and admission is free.

Best wishes to the senior members on their mini-tour to Bristol under the leadership of Mr Stephen C Painter(Dip F D).

And finally, my prediction for this weekend's 6 nations matches. I predict wins for, Ireland and France and a draw between Scotland and England, and in the round ball code, Arsenal to win again as they make their move on the road to winning the Premiership.

Not much going on, weakened first team lose again.

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 14:18:27 GMT

Well, what can we say? Even our excellent 1st team reporter is fed up and took a week out of the press box and having seen the boys struggle against a very ordinary Newcastle side I don't blame him. The one really excellent performance came from Ben Honey with his all round game containing powerful surges from the back-row as well as quality goalkicking. With half the team opting for Twickers I guess it was going to be a struggle, so boys, get it sorted as I honestly believe we are too good for the drop. Anyway, the trip was futile as not much could be seen of anything positive from the England boys.

Jumping ahead to sunday, the under 16s played at home to a very slick Old Covents outfit. Although we played well enough in spells we did lose our concentration which cost us the game. However, forwards coach Phil Cushing took us back in time to his days as a Selly Oak player. The memory of the Allotment Owners Club and that waft of dubious substances, arm wrestling with Pixie and drinking with 'stringer' was fascinating. Nice one Phil, don't give up!

The Quiz. What an epic battle. From the very first round on the bible, Josh, son-in-law to be of Dave Jenkins, came into his own (so to speak). The next round on the subject of beer was more to the liking of Alan Simpson. Steve Painter, surrouded by women, clearly lost his concentration and couldn't tell his Timmy Taylors from his Tetleys! The Goldournes clearly have clever partners and the same must apply to Tex Wales. It was good of Dave Jenkins to turn up and bring his extended family. Thanks also to Egg for his support and to Mike Hughes for running the bar. The sporting blockbuster needed a tie-break and the Goldbournes won the day. The main quiz also needed a tie-break. Steve's babes (is my missus really a babe?) were beaten in the extra time by the seniors aka Watts and Wales. Thanks to all, even Chicken's mob from Acocks Green. A tricky question (not), Name the river that runs through Sidmouth. (the clue is in the question) and it ain't the Tamar or the Ex.

This Saturday sees the First team visit Bloxwich in a 'must win' game. The Devs host Aston 3rds and the Vandals travel across town to take on Aston 4ths.
Well done to Steve Price's son, Jack, who represented Greater Birmingham last weekend.

Vets/Vandals shine under KN lights

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:59:36 GMT

The senior(old) boys had a floodlit friendly against Kings Norton Vets on wednesday evening. As part of our development policy we gave KN some of our rising stars and it turned out a good thing that we did. Well played Tom, Adam and Purdy boys. The OYs tries came from Billy Bucknall, Big Steve Cunningham and 2 from the elusive running of Lee Coates, steady Ralph adding a conversion.

This saturday sees the first team at home to Newcastle(staffs) in a rearranged league game which is to be refereed by the always excellent Mr Jones of the North Mids Society. The Development side travel the short distance to play Kings Norton 2s.

Don't forget the Quiz on Thursday 4th March at 7.30. You don't have to be clever you just have to be there!

Greetings to another friend of the club, John Heggie once of Keresley where he had the dubious pleasure of playing alongside Dave Adams. John has fond memories of the Old Ys and his wife, Lesley also sends us a message but it might be best to save it for later!

All O Ys games off today(Sat 20th)

Sat, 20 Feb 2010 12:50:42 GMT

The weather wins again but the club will be open for mature conversation. Chat about the good old days, plot the future or just have a drink and await the outcome.

Don't forget the quiz on March 4th, even forwards can have a go although, to be honest, one would expect the backs to have that winning touch. You can bring friends, neighbours etc. if you wish as long as they are happy to part with their cash.

Next Saturday looks likely tto be a rearranged league match v Newcastle(Staffs) at home.

Yards 1sts dominate possession but not the scoreboard

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:55:16 GMT

Opposition: Veseyans (Away) Result: Veseyans 27 - OY's 12

13th Feb 2010

In this return match away to Veseyans at Streetly, the pattern of the game more or less matched that of the previous meeting between the two sides at Tilehouse Lane, when OY's dictated the set pieces, enjoying a majority of possession, whilst Veseyans showed a distinct edge in attacking threequarter play and support, both sides being well matched in loose play. In the event, the home sides attacking flair, taking advantage of positions gained from easy ball too often gifted to them by casual kicking from hand, was the difference between the two sides.

From kick off, with the OY's playing down the hill, Veseyans applied early pressure and spent most of the first twenty minutes or so in the OY's half. Despite this territory, OY's defence was sound, with the backs and the covering back row looking solid. OY's were winning most of the set piece possession, driving the home side off their scrum ball at regular intervals. However the OY's could not move the ball into the Veseyans half, and ball kicked away was usually carried straight back.

After 25 minutes, OY's were unlucky to lose one of their principal ball carriers; lock Phil Painter, to a neck injury, and the pack was reshuffled to accommodate P Butler in the front row. With the OY's scrum now even more formidable, advantage was taken on 40 minutes when the Veseyans, having conceded a scrum close to their own line, were rammed back on the put in and over their line. An attempt to kill the ball with a hand in the scrum gave the referee no option but to award a penalty try, and with Jamie Walton adding the conversion the half closed at 7 – 0 to the OY's. This was one of very few scoring chances in the half for the visitors, and it was unfortunate a few minutes earlier that a golden opportunity arising once again from solid scrummaging was missed when a scoring pass to Adam Walker in the clear on the blindside wing failed due to mistiming.

Turning round, up the slope, the restart saw the visitors immediately under pressure, and the type of move previously dealt with by the OY's defence was allowed to develop through poor first line tackling and give the home side an unconverted try after two minutes.

Veseyans now began all out attack with the ball, or without the ball to pressure the OY's possession to force errors, or kicks away from hand, which were collected and developed into further attacks. The OY's were again forced to defend, with B Honey, S Grainger, J Patrick and J Walton putting in some effective work. Spoiling tactics led to the game becoming scrappy, but inevitably, a second try, on the cards for some time, was scored after 12 minutes following a break through the centre to put the home side into the lead at 12 – 7

At 18 minutes, second row D Langley, who had played soundly throughout, gave way to A Purdey to inject additional pace into the back row, and to stifle the Veseyans backs.

On 22 minutes, and winning rare ball on their put in, a Veseyans No 8 pickup resulted in the OY's being penalised for killing the ball in the tackle and conceding a further three points.

The score moved on to 22 – 7 after 27 minutes, when again fed loose ball from wayward kicking under pressure, the Veseyans backs swept upfield and, aided by some weak tackling, a well taken try was scored by the right winger, again unconverted.

At the 30 minute mark, Jamie Walton was replaced at Stand off by S Richards, who seized his opportunity in an assured manner when some rare quick ball enabled him to get the back line going forward with some momentum. A break in the centre put Andy Pearce away with space and the ball was taken to and held on the Veseyans line. Great support recycled the ball to Ben Honey in midfield who made a further break in front of the posts before timing a perfect pass to put Guy Smith in for a well deserved try, scored wide out.

Encouraged, the OY's stayed on top for the next few minutes, but eight minutes later, Veyseyans again made good use of possession and round off the match with a sweeping threequarter move that resulted in their fourth try of the match, this time converted to bring the final score to 27 – 12 to the home side.

Although losing on the day by a well drilled, fit and skilfully organised side lying second in the league, OY's were to a large extent architects of their own downfall, allowing, at too many stages in the match, a constant supply of good possession from a dominant pack to be somewhat aimlessly kicked away with few chasing, and then failing to maintain a solid first line of defence in the face of the inevitable counter attack

Meanwhile, our Development xv took on the might of Kidderminster and gained a 29-12 victory. Tries were scored by Rob Willis x2, Lee Couples and man of the match, Mart Henshall. Steady Ralph kicked the rest of the points. Welcome to another new player, Ieuan Male, brother of skipper, Ellwyn. This could be a case of a double yolker! (Backs might work this out, forwards don't bother!).

News from the younger lads

The under 14s (Pricey's Boys) took on Nuneaton, apparently we were expected to be way out of our depth, but we certainly gave them a good workout, narrowly losing 22-12.

News from the previous week, Shannon informs me, that our under 16s who have been struggling for wins managed to beat The Exiles by a lot of points to nil! Well done lads and coaches.

Quiz night

Don't forget. Thursday 4th March, 7.30 - 9.30 teams of up to 6, £2 for adults, £1 for students. If its well supported we'll do them monthly or so.