Hi Chaps

This may well be a long report,,,no apologies …it was a great game!!!

Sometimes there are great games,great Bulldog spirit and camaraderie that flows well after the game into our “clubhouse” at The White Swan and on Saturday into Zizze’s restaurant in Twickers….

Our game on Saturday against a combined U. Vandals side of their 2nd team, 3rd team and colts was just such a game!

The Vandals for the second season have put together a combined side and on this occasion a squad of 25 players were put out to ensure a victory. Right up until the last quarter there was only a few points in the game but when they started to introduce the their young and very fast colts ( one was only 17) we were not able to meet this fresh and unexpected challenge! We were already playing against a combined 2/3rd team and putting up a great performance

Right from the off we were playing so well…our pack was fantastic with a number of balls taken against the head. Our forwards played as a hunting pack, driving forward with great drives sucking in the opposition and almost playing at will pushing this combined Vandals team back tie m and time again. Our push in the set pieces was great with the opposition pushed off the ball by good Bulldog drives.

Our half back combination worked so well and time and again the ball went spinning down the line and our fast and furious centres scythed through the opposition to back down well worked tries. Up front our forwards kept driving ahead and this produced again good forward tries from excellent back up, sheer determination and Bulldog spirit! Defence was 100% with massive tackles being put in …penetrating drive from an excellent catch under the high ball by our fullback who put in a great run weaving his way through the opposition ( this man could well put his name on this position)

We had a good team with 4 good subs but even with our subs we were just not able to hold this combined Vandals team once they brought their colts ( both the Vandals 2nd and Colts fixtures had been cancelled) onto the pitch.

We played with fantastic Bulldog spirit that made this a great game to watch and a great game to play in and one none of us will forget.

In the last quarter the Vandals management team were getting very concerned that they would loose the game and panic set in with suddenly the colts thrown into the fray. We said nothing but got on with the game and indeed were flattered that the Vandals went to such lengths to win the game. We are a fun side, playing good third team rugby a sit used to be played….with camaraderie and fare play!

Our final score ….in the last quarter they put on a number of tries to take the score to 15 -34 against us BUT we all game off that pitch knowing we had a great moral victory and in the Vandals clubhouse after the game I could only find one opposition player to say good bye to on our departure…where were they ? A few may well have had to go home to get their homework out the way!

Man of the Match was well deserved by Rupert 1 who has come on by leaps and bounds over the last few games…keep it up matey and well deserved! However, we did have a full team that worked so well that everyone deserved to be Man of the Match.

I have not mentioned any players in this match report.

You may ask why ? Simple ..it was a great game …it was an example of a team playing so very well as a Bulldog team with pride, determination and that Bulldog spirit that has been nurtured for almost 30 years since I first formed and started The Bulldogs that it would be unfair to mention any single player as every player deserved more than just a mention. I have therefore reported on the team and that is the way it is.

Thanks also to our touch line supporters who have been out there in the rain, wind and elements every week led by Kelly and Toni …but them a Bulldog fleece chaps they deserve one!!

For me it was great day for Bulldog rugby.

I started the side almost 30 years ago and unfortunately all those players who were there in the beginning are not around to see how the team has develop to the stage it reached on Saturday…..at times it has been a long and lonely time and it has always been difficult to please everyone and players are disappointed but the team and club has survived when other clubs have fallen by the wayside . Somewhere along the way I must have got something right.

To see new friendships develop and to be part of this illustrious team is my rich reward…to have a pint with players, to be invited to parties and to be part of that Bulldog camaraderie and to also still get out on the pitch keeps one young and fulfilled….long may it continue

I mention the above because we have a number of new players who have recently joined us and it is important that the ethos and early days of The Bulldogs is understood.

Let’s move onto next week’s game ..HOME GAME 2;15 K.O. AGAIMNST WINDSORS 3RDS PLEASWE CALL TO CONFIRM YOU ARE OK

I am pleased to say that Iron Man Tony Bianchi has made a remarkable recovery from his hip operation and is back home and polishing the camera lens for his return to the pitch!!

Cheers

Colin