Tuesday 15 March 2011

Second XV


Old School 2nd XV 
 10 or 11 years ago, I can’t remember which. I played my first game of rugby. I had had a half hour introduction to the sport the then coach Alby saw me arrive on the training pitch and asked “prop?”


“I have no idea” I said

“Defiantly prop” was his answer. So after this introduction, that Saturday I took my boots to Wycombe for a second team game. After standing on the sidelines having not the foggiest idea what was going on, I was bought in half way through the game to step in to the tight head spot. The first thing I had to do was take part in my first live scrum. I set myself, we engaged, I went backwards, fast. The scrum came up and my opposite number and the hooker both punched me in the face........I was in love.

The second team is the team I have played most of my rugby for, the team I care about and the team I have watched grow season after season. My first season we lost every game except one, my second season we won two games in the season. I captained the side I think in my third season and we won just two games then and so that went on. My memories are a bit lost but I remember two games: Winning against Old Verulamians, having been stuffed by them in my first game as captain. Also captaining the side that lost 116-0 I can’t remember the opposition that day as I never saw a lot of them. I have said it before countless times, my dream was to play a season and win more games than I lost. We were always the underdogs always under rated always up against it but week in and week out we took to the field and played and I was lucky enough to play with some great rugby players over the years.
Lots of these lads now in the first XV

The current captain I think in his third season has been an exceptional addition to Chesham rugby club. The perfect temperament for a 2nd team captain and excepting of the needs and demands of the first team. He sacrifices so much to make sure so many people get rugby games that I can’t say enough about him. When Chesham 2nd XV could only find or 9 players he would still travel and would still play. As a result of his actions the team last year was able to introduce youngsters onto the field. Coming through the junior ranks they have slowly filtered into the club senior teams. Now many of them are playing in the first XV and are rejuvenating the rugby club. The addition of the new coaching standards has seen the 2nd team take another step. Today we found out the team has won its league losing only 2 games.....I played in both.......I won’t lie it brings a tear of joy to my eyes when I think about it. My only regret, I am not about to step onto the field for the first time and maybe get punched again......

Well done to the current Chesham 2nd XV and all the players that played there before and all those to follow.

4 comments:

  1. I can punch you in the face during a game if you want? To make you feel welcome?

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  2. I remember a similar time back in the late 90s, I think, when the Chesham 2nd XV was the most successful of all the sides in the club. We were known then as the dream team and included many of the now retired membership of the club. Having a true team spirit and an inspirational captain is worth 10 points of any mans rugby! Well done on a great season and congratulations on the promotion. I have really enjoyed reading the blog - It brings back memories and reminds why I enjoyed playing and now watching local rugby!

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  3. lovely story, I hope we can keep building the team from the past, to the present and set the standards for the future. I am very proud of you. Karl you are missed, get those boot's on again. Let's get that face punched once more ;-)

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  4. That Photo at the top reminds me of how hairy a bugger I was back then... Haven't played since I last played for the 2nd's 5 years ago!
    Maybe one day I'll find time to dig those boots out again.
    I enjoyed being one of the "underdogs". It made it all the more special when you got that hit in, or made the extra few yards, or even put the ball down the right side of the line!

    Marc

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