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Old Farts Babble

Old Farts Babble

OCRFC Admin24 Sep 2021 - 11:00
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It’ll Be Fun They Said…

Come on the coach trip they said, it’ll be fun they said! Whilst pondering whether I could manage a whole day out with the youngsters I was eventually persuaded with a promise of a bacon roll, free beer and a day out watching Cinderford away at Chinnor. The dress code was to say the least dodgy and I decided against wearing it, but by turning up at the club without the prescribed attire I was immediately landed with a hefty fine for the kitty.

Once inside I learnt that Head Coach and organizer Gav had changed his mind and had decided to have a mystery tour instead. He insisted that this had absolutely nothing to do with the entrance fee for the expected rugby, no sir, his alternative idea would be far more fun! Although on seeing the healthy-looking kitty and fearing a whole day on it I looked around for any responsible adults with whom I could perhaps spend the day quietly but could only find fellow old fart Dave Reeves and new chair Eric Reddy. Surely, they would be sensible travel companions?

The coach arrived, we all boarded and set off. To my surprise our first stop on this mystery tour wasn’t far and it was to drag Rhys Blackford from his bed. His surprise at his teammates entering his bedroom to abduct him was matched only by his grandmothers shock of being caught dying her hair.

Ninety minutes later were on Weston beach in glorious sunshine and Gav is nowhere to be seen. Pictures and selfies were taken whilst negotiations with the proprietors of the donkey rides were well advanced when Gav re-appeared with a rugby ball and some very serious games on the sand were quickly organized. Thereafter, pleas to go on the pier, play crazy golf or go on the big wheel were ignored and we were led to the first of many of Weston’s hostelries. Predictably the day then descended into the chaos you might expect with more silly games, raucous singing and general mayhem. The group swim prior to getting back on the coach along with some friendly banter with some locals completed an excellent day.

Overall, it was a day that I very much enjoyed. No one was lost, new friendships and bonds were made, and the lads were able to blow off some steam before the serious business of the new season proper, which as you know starts this weekend.

Before we discuss that, other events this last week or so included the ‘friendly’ games against Brockworth and Old Centralians on successive Friday nights under the lights. Both games were narrowly lost but there were plenty of positives for the captains and coaches going forward whilst the players themselves got more used to the physicality they’ve missed over lockdown.

Junior numbers looked very healthy this last Sunday and fixtures have now started. Pick of the games for me was the U15s who faced a strong Old Pats side eventually losing 34-5. I thought the lads fought well with scrum half Freddie Stevens and flanker Reuben Millward standing out in a valiant effort from the side. We will certainly see some of these boys in the senior teams in a few years.

So, to this Saturday where all three senior sides have been preparing for the opening weekend of league rugby. It seems so long ago that we played any serious rugby, and it will be a relief when the whistles blow.

First up is our first ever game in the Gloucester Premier League and our first ever league game against Coney Hill. For many years and certainly in my time at the club, any competitive game against these boys would have been in the combination cup and was likely to have ended in a sound defeat given their standing in local rugby.

Times have changed however, and they now find themselves playing rugby in the lowest league that they’ve ever been in, whilst conversely, we find ourselves in the highest. Having said that we have little idea about how they will line up against us, but we can be sure they will be an extremely tough nut to crack at Metz Way but what an opportunity for us to bag a first win against them for many years.

The 2s welcome Stroud RFC to the memorial ground and are another club for who times have changed. For many years Stroud were a club that competed at the highest levels of county rugby but have this season withdrawn their first team from the South West 1 league and their seconds (The Nomads) are now their firsts. They travel to the memorial ground this Saturday to face our 2nd XV in the Glos 2 North league. Due to their unfortunate circumstances, we will know very little about them until the whistle blows at 3pm Saturday but again it’s an opportunity for new skipper Bennett to make a statement about how his seconds will play this season.

The 3s travel across the city to take on Gloucester Old Boys 2. With new skipper, Harvey Williams (or it could be Ollie, they look very similar) taking them for their first outing this year and captaining for the very first time.

All games KO at 3pm and support as always is welcome.

See you there.

As always keep an eye on the club media for other news.

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