Match Preview

Old Cryptians RFC vs Tewkesbury RFC

Well here we are again then. After last week’s win against North Bristol we now welcome Tewkesbury for the next round of league rugby in Gloucestershire One whilst the seconds are also in action in Gloucester District Premier and travel down the M5 to Avonmouth Old Boys in a clash of 4th v 5th. Many of the 2s will want to impress here for the chance to be in the squad to travel to Bristol Harlequins for the national cup fixture next week.

However the focus is this week where selection had 70+ players being available. Clubs across the county are in amazement at the achievement of being able to name 4 sides this weekend which has not been done at Old Cryptians in the last 15 years or more. This is a fantastic statement to the health of the club which everyone is immensely proud of. For now, fingers remain crossed that the weather holds out and all the pitches are fit to play this weekend.

Fortunately, our committee have been able to secure Plock Court, a 4G playing facility, for the firsts to take on Tewkesbury RFC. We regularly train on the all weather pitch and it is a great facility to see some good running rugby which the players are excited about. However nobody is happier than Gilly Howell who washes the playing kit. This will make her job a lot easier and give her more time to focus on washing team manager, Rich Howell's delicates.

Unfortunately I didn’t watch the away game at Tewkesbury last October as I was attending a family wedding. On that day I had employed fellow Old Fart Kenny Phillibert to cover commentating duties. Once I had arrived at the church, I discreetly checked my phone for his updates. A picture of the Abbey was all that he posted, but several other posts by people suggested he’d been sacked for his inability to count past 7 without the use of Robbie Mustoe's abacus.

Luckily, Karl Saunders was on the sideline as he was injured at the time so was on-hand to take over. I was reading the updates on and off and was happy that the game seemed to be going our way but just before half time, my dear wife invited me ‘to turn my bloody phone off’ as the service was about to start.

Later though when I checked back, I learnt that although we’d won 26-34, Tewkesbury had staged a bit of a comeback and had been uncomfortably close to snatching the game at the end. But even though Tewkesbury are not having a great time just now, lying in a group of four teams near the bottom, with just four points separating them, it’s one of those games where were reminded to be on our guard.

However, the selection is as strong as it could be so all will be hopeful of another five pointer to really cement our top spot and keep Jake McMahon happy on his weekend away from club duties. Finally, the squad.

Starting XV

1. Kellaway, Jake
2. Saunders, Karl
3. Brice, Euan
4. Flounders, Jack
5. Harris, Toby
6. Ricketts, Aaron
7. Chad Crosby ©
8. Hurdle. Matt
9. Trigg. Robert
10. Mustoe, Robbie
11. Brind, Tom
12. Jones, Connor
13. Hanley, Jake
14. Overthrow, Bradley
15. Langbridge, Joe

Impact Players

16. Winter, Gareth
17. Flounders, Josh
18. Colucci, Carlo

Finally, don’t forget to let me, Kev Norwood, know if you want a seat on the supporter’s coach going to Bristol Harlequins for the National Cup Semi-Final game next weekend on the 25th of January. If you want a place, this weekend is the time to book it.