A fun festival of rugby ends with Big Mick of Debden having the final word
LOUGHTON celebrated the end of the season with a wonderful day in the sunshine with friends old and new.
Festival rugby was the order of the day with Loughton's first XV taking to the field to face a team chosen by president Mick Walker consisting of players past and present.
Almost inevitably, the first team started strongly and ran in a few early scores (Chris Owen, Jeff Estall, Dan Stavrinou and Duncan Kaye) taking advantage of the fact that the President's had neither trained nor played together.
Loughton knew they were in a game however, as the President's flanker Chris Parker made himself known at several rucks and centre Commando Ben introduced himself to several would be Loughton attackers with Sayers and Kaye, in particular, feeling the force.
Paul "Flossy" Relph showed a fine turn of pace making Loughton's three-quarter line look positively pedestrian at times.
Despite the first team having the advantage on the scoreboard, the highlight of the first half was the sight of Loughton's centre Tom Pinchbeck being folded in half by the veteran Tony "Safe as Houses" Ginn in a bone crunching, spectacular tackle. The pleasure of this moment was enhanced by the fact that Ginn's last game, 15 years ago, ended in him being transported via helicopter to the nearest A&E. Proof, if any was needed, of the miracle of modern science.
The second half was a story of the joy of age and experience over youthful exuberance and contained some deliciously memorable moments.These included: Loughton's shining star Matt Thompson being turned inside out by his dad, Gary.
- Powerful Japanese prop Justin Oon on the charge but tripping over Nicholas Kaye, fortunately his belly provided Justin with a soft and comfortable landing.
- The reunion in the front row of the wiley old goat Billy Sargeant with the mighty Ronaldo, putting Loughton's scrum under severe pressure.
In the final quarter, the President's unleashed their secret weapon in the form of the ultimate male Mick "Big Mick of Debden" Carter. Dragged out onto the pitch in a steel cage, the door was released and Mick began to rip into the opposition, tearing the Loughton XV apart almost single-handedly. With bodies spread all over the pitch, Mick scored the President's only try of the day to cement himself in the Loughton RFC All Time Hero Hall of Fame.
Just as the President's were coming back into the game, the full time whistle blew and both teams retired to the bar for a well earned drink.
6:07pm Thursday 24th April 2008
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