THIRD XV
Latest Result:
16.02.08 Old Cryptians 5 V Drybrook III's 55
26.01.08 Old Cryptians 29 V Minchinhampton II's 27
19.01.08 Gordon League III's 68 Old Cryptians 7
12.01.08 - No Game - Waterlogged Pitch
05.01.08 - Dowty 1st 29 Old Cryptians 7
26.12.07 - Old Richians 7 Old Cryptians 20 - See Picture below:
VETERANS XV
This season saw the emergence of the Old Cryptians Veterans Rugby team, after spotting a large number of older players lounging around watching Gloucester at Kingsholm, it was decided to try and re-involve them with the club. It was decided to avoid Gloucester games, school holidays, internationals, in order to minimise the excuses that these guys could offer.
We started the season with a good attendance at a floodlight game to mark the anniversary of Doug Perks first game for the club. The game was played in good spirit against a very strong Gordon League side. The final result was a loss 10 -32 however the important part of the night was the social afterwards with Doug.
A sunny Saturday afternoon saw our next exploits against Longlevens, which was once again well attended. Both sides played entertaining rugby with a great number of players having a run out. Indeed at times it was difficult to get them off the field, even though they originally only wanted ten minutes or so! The eventual winners were Longlevens by 25 – 5.
Boxing Day saw the game against the arch enemy Old Richians, and as we were the holders of the trophy from last years first Veterans fixture, a great amount of pressure was placed on us for this friendly game! We are pleased to report that we retained the trophy at home with a 21- 14 win. However we need to thank the Old Richians winger for crossing the try line and whilst attempting to get closer to the posts for an easier conversion, getting himself tackled and failing to score.
Unfortunately after the cancellation of the February fixture due to pitch conditions, the next game was played in April.
This was against an Irish Touring side from Galway. Oughterard Rugby Club was newly formed and one of their first objectives was to arrange a tour to the UK, good thinking guys! The game was played by both sides with a great amount of spirit and we eventually came out on top with a 22 – 19 win. However as you would expect for a touring side the party started after the final whistle. We are pleased to say that we certainly came out of this one with a great amount of new friends who were totally impressed with the Old Cryptian hospitality. Indeed we were offered the opportunity of a return fixture to tour Ireland in 2009. Lets hope that we can do our best to accept this on behalf of the club.
Our final game has been arranged to play in a joint team with Widden Old Boy for a charity fixture against the Cherry Pickers Rugby team. At the time of writing this piece the fixture had not been played.
It has been good to see that the Old Cryptians rugby spirit has not been lost for us veterans, and it has great to see so many old friends place those boots on again. Indeed to finish I quote one players comments; “ how good to enjoy that changing room banter again, smell the linament and get into the bar for a pint knowing that you’ve earned it”
Interested in playing next season - please give me a call or drop me an email.
Paul Clack
Veterans Team Organiser.
Latest Result:
12.04.08 Old Cryptians 22 Oughterard RFC 19 (tour game)
26th December 2007 - VETS Old Cryptians 21 Old Richians 14
20th October 2007- Old Cryptians Veterans 5 Longlevens Veterans 25
(Match report composed by Nathan Gregory - with a champagne theme!)
A vintage Old Cryptians veteran’s side enterained Longlevens in this golden oldie encounter with the visitors victorious in this pulsating affair. In the opening stratagem, Cryptians introduced a free flowing brand of rugby while Longlevens opted for meat and muscle. Although this extra beef and brawn allowed the visitors to gain the advantage in the scrum, Cryptians secured an abundance of possession from the well seasoned scavenging back row of Kenny Philibert and Mark Small. At every opportunity Cryptians looked to the raw pace of wingers Chris Barton and Nathan Gregory who cracked open the Longlevens defence at will. In one such attack the ball was offloaded to Cryptians outside half Neil Hiley who scored a sparkling touchdown after powering over from close range.
This score awoke Longlevens from their slumber and they used their juggernaut pack to lumber forward. Aggressive tackling right on the edge from the Cryptians front row of Marcus Stokes, Steve Crowther and Jason Trigg frustrated the opposition resulting in a fracas and the spilling of claret. Longlevens continued to generate a head of steam and despite Cryptians locks Paul Clack and Andy Copestake defending gamely they could not prevent centre Pete Farrell barrelling over the try line. Cryptians retaliated with effervescent scrum half Gavin Dowdeswell fizzing the ball through the three quarters. However Longlevens hard nosed approach at the breakdown turned over possession with full back Mark Smith eventually crashing over the whitewash.
At the interval Cryptians firebrand Jason Norwood rallied his troops suggesting that this was a magnificent display and to win the game was like champagne or high heels, you must be prepared to suffer for it. This rousing speech inspired Cryptians to start brightly, with three quarters Graham Coulson and Rob Dunn setting of on several corking runs. However Longlevens used their replacements well and the subsequent heavyweight tackling and greater numbers at the breakdown repelled the attack. Against the run of play the visitor’s winger Adie Jones cantered over the try line for the touchdown.
In the final quarter bubbly Cryptians half backs Les Willetts and Chay Bridges set of on a series of intoxicating forays into opposition territory. The ball was regenerated to number 8 Hedley Sutton who completed a one man demolition job on the visitors defence. Longlevens desperately defended the onslaught and cleared the danger with centre Darren Smith racing in unopposed for the try. With the physicality of the encounter taking its toll, Cryptians ran out of steam and a final score was added by Mark Smith who completed his brace.
Old Cryptians team: Graham Coulson, Nathan Gregory, Rob Dunn, Jason Norwood, Chris Barton, Neil Hiley, Gavin Dowdeswell, Hedley Sutton, Kenny Philibert, Mark Small, Paul Clack (captain), Andy Copestake, Marcus Stokes, Jason Trigg, Steve Crowther, Les Willetts, Chay Bridges.
21st September 2007 - Old Cryptians Veterans 10 Gordon League Veterans 32
(Match report composed by Nathan Gregory - with a Pirates Theme!)
This veteran’s encounter was hosted to celebrate Old Cryptians stalwart Doug Perks 50 year association with the club with his debut being against Gordon League. In the watery moonlight the Memorial Ground floodlights shone like a lighthouse, with Gordon League eventually plundering the treasures against a valiant Cryptians crew.
In the opening stratagem, Cryptians kicked deep down the slope with League launching their bulky forwards onto the offensive in an attempt to gain the strategic advantage. However, the Cryptians brigands stood firm with lock Paul Clack, and props Marcus Stokes and Warren O`Hagen snuffing out the attack. This gave the Cryptians backs of yesteryear confidence and full back Nick Price and winger Dave Collinson combined well to take play deep into League territory. At the breakdown the Cryptians back row of Gavin Dowdeswell and Kenny Phillibert salvaged the ball, releasing centre Ben Chamberlain to cheekily chip and chase eventually crashing over in the corner for the score.
With the League floodgates on the verge of opening, Cryptians winger Nathan Gregory filleted the defence before speeding deep into opposition territory. As the last man was drawn to release Chamberlin for his second try, referee Paul Vidgeon controversially adjudged the pass to be forward. This passage of play awoke League from their slumber, and quality possession allowed their backs to launch a tidal wave of attacks. Despite heavyweight tackling from Cryptians abrasive centre Clive Dyke and outside half Tim McGill, they could not prevent League centre Tim Smith clattering his way over the whitewash. A further score was quickly added when League winger Andy Manly cruised over following a well rehearsed short line out on the Cryptians five meter line, to secure a 10 points to five half time lead.
At the interval both teams sucked up the water like thirsty dredgers, with Cryptians introducing the bulk of three quarters Kev Bendall and Andy Cambridge to shore up the defensive line. In the initial second half skirmishes League adopted a kicking game plan to boom the ball deep into the Cryptians half. However, this allowed Cryptians to seize the initiative; with effervescent scrum half Chay Bridges sniping at the fringes to release lock Rob Sutton on a swashbuckling run for the touchdown. In repost League began to utilise their classy backs with a midfield scissors miss move creating space for full back Mark Thompson to barrel over.
With this platform League unleashed the force of their front five despite Cryptians hooker Andy Mathers gamely anchoring the set piece. Although Cryptians weathered the League storm, their line was breached again by Manly who scored his brace of tries. This served as a warning shot across the Cryptians bows and in retaliation a broadside was fired with the Cryptians back row of Digger Gardener, Hedley Sutton and Jason Norwood held up over the line following a series of steaming charges.
In the final quarter Leagues superior fitness began to tell despite their mature years and a wealth of possession allowed the three quarters to frolick forward. Although Cryptians backs Les Willitts and John Hudson put in a series of shuddering tackles League shipped the ball to their winger Paul Clare who cantered over for the touchdown. As the Cryptians side lay shipwrecked, Chris Barton, Steve Parry and Neil Hiley valiantly attempted to clear the decks. However, League half back Nigel McMahon twirled and spun to release outside half Ross Gowell to score and convert his own try in the last move of the match.
During the post match entertainment Doug Perks was presented by Old Cryptians Chairman Paul Roche with an engraved crystal rose. The opposition skipper Cormack o`Donoghue honoured Doug with a Gordon League club tie and an engraved hip flask. Doug thanked the visitors and commented that the game was very enjoyable and competitive, and although Cryptians put up a good performance Gordon League demonstrated a distinct advantage through their classy play forged by playing together on a regular basis.
BACKS
Nick Price, John Hudson, Nathan Gregory, Les Willitts, Ben Chamberlain, Andy Cambridge, Clive Dyke, Chris Barton, Dave Collinson, Steve Parry, Tim McGill, Kev Bendall, Chay Bridges
FORWARDS
Marcus Stokes, Neil Hiley, Andy Mathers, Warren O’Hagen, Digger, Paul Clack, Rob Sutton, Hedley Sutton, Jason Norwood, Gavin Dowdeswell, Kenny Phillibert
Referee: Paul Vidgeon
Click on Fixtures Tab for future games
* * * * *
If you would like to be contacted to play in future Vets games, please ensure Paul has your current contact details. This can be done by contacting Paul on paulclack@whiteknightgroup.co.uk or by emailing zoeroche77@hotmail.com who will pass the details onwards.