Clifton ... This week play at another Lovell.

Wanderers- This Week At Another Lovell !!

Old Bristolians 6 V Clifton Wanderers 60

After last week’s drubbing the Wanderers team for this week looked a little stronger. Charlie “Taxi” Howels was making his debut at 9 and the former ball boy to the stars brought a nice calming influence and a good supply of ball for his back line. Andy Bell was decanted and out there at 10 while the pack had a Major difference with TomO’Keefe, John Levis and man of the match Joe “3 minutes” Lovell in the back row, and much more Artillery in the front 5, quite a change from the previous week. With this group the Wanderers were able to out manoeuvre and flank their opponents on more than one occasion.

The game started on time and conditions were perfect, a bright object shone in the sky, though nobody could remember what it was, most agreed that a new satellite dish must have been put on the clubhouse. The teams seemed to be fairly evenly matched early on and play was around midfield for the first 10 minutes or so, then some great ball control from Bell and a driving run from the pack led us to their 22, the rucks were cleared and ball supplied for the backs to attack, supported by the back row and eventually a try came, This was followed by another in the same spot … scored by Andy Gollidge a prop forward.

The Wanderers now took control like the Mistress at my Men’s club in London and Clifton were able to build a score, The referee also became a little more active and some frustration was built up on both sides, however the game moved on with Old B’s actually getting the better of the end of the first period.

At half time there was talk of playing the game as a team and not being selfish, Blowers came off having worked tirelessly and a newly rebuilt Mike Westlake took to the field for the first time in a year, he was not the only returnee with Charlie Howells being out for a year and Mike O’Reilly a debutant at hooker having been out for two years all three played well. The back row continued to play well and Blizzard in the middle was showing real pace through the middle , he also took over the kicking duties when Skipper Will was replaced, Blizzard although never having been to the Johnny Wilkinson school was soon banging the points over like a metronome, much to Scouser’s disquiet.

The final score was a fair refection of the way the team worked and played. Commiseration for Old B’s as they found themselves in the same situation as the Wanderers had done the previous week. However the disappointment did not last long and joviality was restored within 5 minutes. Old B’s showed a stiff upper lip and played right to the end before all repaired to the bar.

Touchline Tarquin.