Always something to be learnt at Clifton Golledge

Always Something To Be Learnt At CLIFTON GOLLEDGE.

This week back at the home of the mighty Clifton RFC, The Wanderers were to face Matson RFC who hail from the county of Gloucestershire. Matson 1st XV have had a good start to the season so this was going to be another strenuous test.
The selected side were nowhere to seen, unless you were with the 1st xv or Christmas shopping at the Mall! This as in previous weeks seemed to lead to the personnel being quite different from the previous Wanderers outing, though some changes were positional.
Most significantly for the spectators this week was the sight of Andy Gollege in the Hooker position which we had not witnessed before. After some initial warm up throws, that I watched from the Stand, alongside the noisy parents of a certain Master Robert Penhale, Andy quickly got into his stride and was consistent throughout the game and with the rest of the Front Row had a very meaningful afternoon. The initial scrum saw the Matson front row perform some circus stunts to pretty much ending up piggy back on their own second row. Dare, Gollege, Denton and replacement Loose head Wallis had things mainly their own way.
A Second row of Blowers and Leroy provided the necessary scrum impetus to keep things on a positive footing, and a Back Row made up of Rob “Aerodynamic” Penhale and the return of Zig & Zag ( Beer & Butcher ) from the wilds of South Glos. Made for what was a Very competitive Pack. The Introduction from the bench of Steve Kirk in the second row for Leroy, only increased the already high tempo of the forwards with some galloping runs, ably supported by the rest of the pack and some lost threequarters.
The opening half saw the team start better than the last game, However good pressure did not lead to a score and instead it was the expected Matson resilience to the fore, as they actually opened the scoring, when one of our number of infringements, gave them a shot that they duly converted. We did however score almost at once, in a caught and bowled exercise from Fullback Souse, Who still refuses to learn from the Johnny Wilkinson school of kicking, sending the ball over the bar from his own form of Horticultural kicking tee. I am afraid the Mulled Malbec was introduced at this point and I missed the half time score line!
A Lavender patch in the mid of the second spell saw the Wanderers pull clear after some hard running and more phase play. Gareth Mason the in standing, outside half, was outstanding in his tenacity and fight for yards. Seen discussing his game vision etc. in the bar after, Gareth was understanding that Owen Farrell he is not quite, but he still managed to turn in comfortable show. A back division made up of Allen Mason, McClean, Wyse, Venn, Thomas and Scouse Will worked hard throughout the game contributed more points, leading to another Wanderers win 26pts – 3pts
Next Saturday it’s a short hop down the M5 to Avonmouth for a repeat of an early season game, no doubt a mince pie and Greeting warmer than old Rudolph’s nose awaits the brave Clifton boys. Note to self, less of the hot toddy !
Tarquin