Well what can I say.......

We turned out a “mixed” team to face Havant today. The thing is our “mix” is a chance for ALL of our squad to push the boys around them. We don’t have developing players anymore....we have players waiting for a chance to show the coaches exactly why they should be “first name on the team sheet” - absolutely brilliant!!

Havant came with a strong squad and after the first quarter we were 10-5 down but showing signs of awaking from our slumbers!!-

From then on in...... UNBELIEVABLES! The boys showed a great level of fitness and as Havant faded we became stronger and stronger, leaving Havant struggling to cope with our intensity. The interplay between forwards and backs made it difficult sometimes to distinguish between a forward and a back. Adam SB was brilliant today and on more than one occasion acted as a roaming scrum half as well as shouting for “short” balls that Funtime was only too glad to give him! Our centre pairing of Jenks and big Jake (as opposed to “rapid Jake”) dominated the midfield with assured running and clever interplay. Del Boy Trotter cost his dad a jug of beer as he went over for three meat pies!

Jake (rapid) and Hazza looked good on the wing and FB respectively, with Jake showing his ridiculous “stop on a sixpence and go off in a completely different direction” skills. Obviously he had to score from 70m out......otherwise it wouldn’t be an Alton U13 match....would it?!!! Hazza took a fantastic catch from a high ball that had snow on it and made a last ditch, try saving tackle as our focus became “no try’s against “ as opposed to score, score, score! Our second row of Custard and Derek were phenomenal- making breaks, putting in crunching tackles and generally intimidating Havant! Rhubarb at no8 wasn’t too shabby and managed to get the giraffe legs moving on a few occasions, which makes it v difficult for even the fastest opposition to keep up.....as they do three strides to one!

Our 9/10 combination worked brilliantly today with Funtime and Chavanagh putting in their best and most authoritative games of the season.

Last but not least- the engine room- “Nat -han”, “Big Cal”, “Large Joe” with the pugnacious “Adam Silent But”.....leading from the front. These boys were the reason we won today. Given a torrid time in the first quarter, they took it on the chin and then stepped up and stiffened up - we didn’t lose a scrum again. They provided the platform for Funtime to get the ball to our backs quickly and cleanly as well as hitting rucks and dominating breakdowns -AWESOME!!

Great day - really proud of all the lads - a fantastic team performance.
Owen