VENNY AND THE JETS

Venny And the Jets,

Sept 21st Station Road, the 2.30pm start fast approaches, on a dry but muggy afternoon. The playing surface looks magnificent, as do the poses being thrown by the players, coaching team and the match officials. There appears to be photographer on site looking to try out a wide angle lens on the Healy boys. “It will need to be wider” a wag shouts, The Mouth boys show off their tattoo’s and toothless grins, while the Clifton lads polish their Nike’s and comb their hair.

And so to the team meeting and warm up .. 2 more late cry off’s throw the side into disarray and the conundrum seems to be, who can or even will throw the ball in at lineout? For the second consecutive week the Wanderers are bereft of a throwing Hooker. Fortunately Dave Wallis is in the side, so the Wanderers are covered at scrum time. He is ably assisted this week by Ross Denton (who I overheard in the Clubhouse as being an associate member of the Auburn Brigade.] and relative newbie Tom Mc Donnagh, An engine room made up of Leroy and virgin second rower and utility man Alex Dare, obviously the song is from a jack to king, but in Alex's case it is from the pack to the wing! And then back again!
The Back row has an interesting combination of Dan Venn [wing] who played a vey impressive match at open side and was source of good off the top line out ball. Rob,[ I am a full back really, but played hooker at school]. Thomas. The newly elected line out throw in expert ! And last weeks second row, Rob Penhale who also supplied a good chunk of line our ball.
The back division again looks to possess skill and pace which, during the course of the afternoon was at times imperiously displayed. Jamie at nine had an effervescent afternoon with a high energy showing, Matt Smith at 10 showed pace and distribution, as did the midfield Tag Team of Massey and Milne, sounds like a dodgy American cop show pairing, who took no prisoners and baled us out in defence. Ally Maclaine and Cameron Jeffries took advantage of the full boundary of their estate to stretch the Avonmouth defence at every opportunity. Skipper, Allen Williams gave a good account of himself especially with the horticultural kicking style blasting over 5 out of 6 conversions, before a strained Fetlock forced him off the field to be replaced by Ruben Caven with his elusive running style.
After the initial sizing up of each other the first score came, closely followed by another and another giving a first half score of 40 points to 10. The referee assessor was heard to say this could be a 100!!!! But don't underestimate the spirit of Avonmouth, they continued to play and from a very effective driving maul they managed to get themselves over for a couple of scores to give a final score of 66 Points to 29 Points. There was concern at the end about the letting in of so many points and a need to crack down on this habit by next week, when we entertain Drybrook, and a woeful kicking display again by Capt. Will means its back to the Johnny Wilkinson school for the 2nd week for him!
For the Wanderers it was another cracking victory, and was watched by a smattering of Avonmouth supporters and a few familiar Clifton faces in Mark Newall and Ally Allison.Thanks for coming along lads!
2 from 2 for a great start,There is more to come and improvments to be made in training and the forthcoming games.

Touchline Tarquin