Match Preview

After 6 years of being in Gloucester 1 and ensuring promotion in the recent win against St Brendans, we had the opportunity to become champions if we beat Cirencester last Saturday and with coach McMahons rallying cry still ringing in their ears, the team produced a performance worthy of their title with a stunning 46-0 win. Led by captain Crosby’s hat trick the performance was full of class, intelligent play and was ruthless. As team manager Howler would say, “That was the best I’ve seen you boys play this season” - this time not to be confused with the other 6 times he’s made that statement.

The seconds though not to be outdone, also recorded a brilliant win away to Old Pats thus setting up a great night of celebrations. Onward to the bar after and the fun and games went on late into the night with much singing, hilarity, falling off chairs, patting of backs and satisfaction of a job well done. Craig and Danielle behind the bar were run ragged but were still back early the next day to prepare the club for the junior section and were unaware that several of the squad hadn’t quite finished celebrating and would be back by lunchtime to continue where they left off the night before.

So, champions of Gloucester 1 with the Gloucester Premier league awaiting us next season we turn our attention to the National Vase and our desire to improve on last season’s semi-final appearance. Westbury RFC are the team we must beat to equal that achievement and are a team we know little about.

A quick look on Pitchero tells you that they lead Dorset and Wilts 2 North with 78 points after 16 wins from 17 and look favorites to gain promotion into Dorset and Wilts 1, whilst last season they finished third after missing out on promotion by a few points. So, a very similar league history and record to ours, along with some great victories to reach this stage of the junior vase.

After contacting Westbury RFC, I was able to glean the following information which gives a good feel for our opponents. This year Westbury celebrate their 40th anniversary after being founded in 1980 and for the last ten years have run a successful ladies team who’ve won two league titles. At present they only run one senior mens side although they’ve aspirations of revitalising their second string soon, as due to larger teams in the area have recently struggled for player numbers.

However, I’ve learnt that Westbury RFC is a small club with a big heart and promotes a family atmosphere, all run by the players and volunteers. It also has a support base to rival our own whilst a national cup quarter final day at theirs, in their anniversary year, will be a fantastic event for them to host and for us to be part of. In addition, at Knotts Field, their home ground (so called after their founder Alan Knott) they’ve a great record, only recording two defeats in the last two seasons!

It looks to be a great day and a great match as any team who lead their division by 13 points and reaches this stage of a national competition are going to be very competitive, switched on and able to score tries. These are exciting times for both clubs and Westbury chairman Gareth (Foggy) Vaughan and Captain Aaron Vaughan look forward to welcoming us all. May the best team win and may we all enjoy a few beers after.

Selection has picked a direct and hard squad for the Westbury challenge and coach Jake McMahon said this week that we are very lucky at the moment in that we enough good players available to have picked two starting XVs, each of which he believes are capable of beating our opponents. In fact the only first choice player unavailable is Karl Saunders who has failed to overcome his injury and McMahon continues in his place. In other selection news, Jake Hanley’s black eye which he sustained last week against Cirencester has returned to a more normal colour, so thankfully it won’t clash with his after match shirt.

The squad reads as follows.

1. Jake Kellaway
2. Jake McMahon
3. Euan Brice
4. Jack Flounders
5. Nick Stroud
6. Aaron Rickets
7. Chad Crosby ©
8. Matt Hurdle
9. Luke Stephens
10. Luke McMahon
11. Tom Brind
12. Connor Jones
13. Jake Hanley
14. Josh Flounders
15. Joe Langbridge

Finishers

16. Phillipe Brown
17. Gareth Winter
18. Gareth Flounders
19. Toby Harris
20. Robert Trigg
21. Gav Worrall
22. Robbie Mustoe
Tr. Carlo Colucci
Tr. Brad Overthrow

So, the squad is ready, the supporters are ready, and Westbury RFC are ready. Please get yourself to Knotts Field by any means possible and show your support.

See you all there!

OCRFC
GBTS