| New Season up and running in style |
|
|
|
|
Results from Saturday 4th Sept at Weybridge Vandals RFC: Teddington 1st XV (69) v (14) University Vandals 1st XV Teddington 2nd XV (90) v (0) University Vandals 2nd XV Teddington 3rd XV (31) v (7) University Vandals 3rd XV An across the board away trip seemed an ideal and bonding start to the new season, and something that we haven’t done as a club for many a year. But when Vince HARTE confirmed Weybridge Vandals as the opposition it seemed that we had maybe over clubbed ourselves. They after all have been a London League club for many a year. But after all the accolades and celebrations of last season, followed by a well earned summer break, no matter how tough the opposition it was time to get back to get back in the saddle and get everyone reacquainted with each other on the rugby pitch rather than at a bar. With nine changes from the National cup final team that played at Twickenham in May, Teddington coach Giselle MATHER and new 1st XV captain Jon DICKSON were keen if a little apprehensive to see how the new look team would fair against a team playing it's rugby in a higher league. Weybridge Vandals from London 2 would be a stern test for the Teddington 1st XV. The first 20 minutes revealed the usual start of the season fayre of crash, bang, wallop rugby, but at least it blew away the cobwebs and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. Soon there was an early Teddington try, which was almost immediately cancelled out when Vandals were gifted an interception, which they gladly accepted. So Vandals led 7-5 with 20 minutes gone. Things appeared to be a bit rusty, but the underlying signs for us were positive. With the realization that we could more than cope with this level of rugby things started to really click for Teddington. The front row featuring the new formation of Pete ‘Lazarus’ WHYTE, Tom DORAN and new signing Sam SEWARD soon started to exert some pressure at the set piece. They were more than ably supported by the rejuvenated Ferg FARRELL at No 8, together with his workaholic flankers from either end of the age spectrum, James ‘Victor Meldrew’ FERGUSON and teenager Stuart RIDLER. The three of them didn’t stop working all afternoon. With the tempo being cranked up our pack began to find their full repertoire of powerful scrummaging, great ball carrying and seamless linking with the speedy backline. For a while the Vandals defence held on, but with the onslaught becoming incessant they started to creak. Tackles were missed with regularity and eventually the tries soon started to come. Lots of them. Our newly streamlined scrum half Simon HALL, last seen on bended knee proposing to his Fiancée Carly on the Twickenham turf in May impressively marshaled the pack. There were also impressive Teddington debut's from Stuart RIDLER (flanker) Glenn BARTON (replacement scrum half) Ryan SHEEHAN (wing) and Henry KIRCHNER (wing). It was also good to see Jon HARTE once again back from injury and looking sharp and hungry for the ball. Paul MANLEY had yet another majestic game at fly half. In all honesty everyone got in on the act, and by the final whistle we were in total control of the game. Vandals had been blown away. But nobody was getting carried away, by the time the final whistle blew there was no shouting or jubilation, just the quiet satisfaction that things had gone well for the first game of the season. However If you talk to our coach she will tell you a different story altogether. When asked to describe the day Giselle will use such words as; woeful, disorganized, pathetic and a shambles, and she’s only talking about the teams journey from Teddington to Weybridge……………We may be the European team of the year but some things never change. We are Antlers after all. There will be plenty of hard battles in the league in the months ahead. In such exotic and far off places like Winchester, Alton, Camberley, Fordingbridge and even The Isle of White. That’s provided we can find them first, but our performance on the pitch on Saturday will give the boys plenty of confidence to take on our first ever season in the London and SE Leagues. Meanwhile the 2nd XV completely blew away their Vandals counterparts. Playing with similar power, speed and organization as the 1st XV, they were a joy to watch. This performance already shows that we have strength in depth in the 1’s and 2’s squad. I for one believe that many of those playing in this game will be staking a claim for 1st XV selection in the coming weeks. To top the day off the 3rd XV also achieved a fairly comfortable victory against the Vandals 3’s. So with the sun shining, beer flowing and a fine aftermatch BBQ laid on by our hosts, at their superb riverside facility, the start of the 2010/11 season will be very fondly remembered by all at Teddington. I'm not sure that Vandals will remember it in quite the same way. Let’s hope that these results are an early indication of yet another the vintage year for Teddington RFC. |
| Next > |
|---|
















Teddington Rugby Club has one of the largest, friendliest, and most successful mini and junior sections in the South East of England and last season was one of our most sucessful to date!