"Silver Foxes" v "Moaning Kids"

A game with this much class, energy and world class total Rugby has not been seen Canalside these many years. Well, maybe I exaggerate, slightly.

On a hot sunny day the Nottingham Casuals Over 30s, (aka “Bryn’s Silver Foxes”) took on the Under 30s, (aka Neil’s moaning kids) in highly competitive game. In fact, some players could be excused of putting more effort into this game than league games earlier in the season!
The Foxes (As the Over 30s shall henceforth be referred) got off to the best start with a drive through Try by Wally (Tempting fate and the Kids with his prolonged touch down!), converted by the boot of Bryn ‘Skipper’ Lewis, standing in on kicking duties.

Not long later a 2nd try for the Foxes through (Was it Blondie? I forget...) but again converted by Bryn from a distance.
If the Foxes had the best of the scrums, the Kids had the best of the line out, winning almost all of theirs and taking a couple off the Foxes also. Neil Howe’s excellent jumping performance matched by his lifters.

As referee, Ingy had a lot to do on the day and it wasn’t long before the first [inevitable] yellow card of the game. Andy Weedon forgetting you can’t use your elbow to block the tackler whilst taking the ball into contact.

Nevertheless, the Foxes scored with 14 men on the field, a pick up by Skipper Lewis off the back of the scrum, to Christian, inside offload to the ever green Blondie and then another pass to Skipper Lewis steaming through to touch down – again converted. 21-nill.
The Kids started to fight their way back into the game, more possession and territory, a penalty in the Foxes 22 which they took quickly and finally they struck back with a smashing try by Gav Wise in the corner, 3 Foxes not enough to prevent him touching down. (We’ll ignore the fact Tim restarted play with his thigh/knee rather than his foot... ) Gav couldn’t convert.

Before Weedon could rejoin play, they scored again. Nippy Mark Collary diving over from a break down, Gav converting. Tim Squires got the Kids 3rd try before the half was over. The Foxes a only 2 points ahead.

In the 2nd half my memory goes a bit fuzzy (Must be my age...) but I think the Foxes got back into the game with a breakaway try by Flem (Who doesn’t turn 30 until Dec, but, to be fair, looks 30), conv missed by Lewis. Gareth Mainwaring scored a cracking try stepping inside 3 or 4 Foxes, converted by Gav – followed by a try for another Kids (Podge – who was it???) missed by Gav putting them ahead.
The game was won by a try for the Foxes by Christian towards the end, the conversion by Lewis putting the Foxes 2 points ahead – which is how it stayed until the end. Cue celebrations for the Over 30s.

This was such an enjoyable fixture, I’m sure they’d be support if we made this an annual Easter fixture for the club. But maybe not for Neil – this could be his last game for Casuals if he gets a new job. He’ll be missed...