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Round 14 Matches

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Printed Date: 03 Nov 2024 at 22:44
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Topic: Round 14 Matches
Posted By: castleparknight
Subject: Round 14 Matches
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2024 at 13:19

Hartpury vs Cambridge

Caldy vs Cornish Pirates

Ampthill vs London Scottish

Doncaster vs Coventry

Ealing Trailfiders vs Nottingham

Bedford vs Bye



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Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny!



Replies:
Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2024 at 13:25
My guesses:

Hartpury 5 vs 1 Cambridge - A tough match for Cambridge

Caldy 4 vs 1 Cornish Pirates - I think Caldy will squeeze a home win

Ampthill 5 vs 2 London Scottish - this could be a big scoring game

Doncaster 1 vs 5 Coventry - my heart says the Knights will pull this one out of the hat, my head says Cov are quality and should win it. So long as we keep the score line respectable, and avoid the nonsense of our last game against them, I will be content.

Ealing Trailfiders 5 vs 0 Nottingham - much as I would love to see Nottingham peg Ealing back closer to the rest of us I suspect this won't be the case.

Good luck all.





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Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny!


Posted By: Old Gold
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2024 at 13:35

Ampthill 5 - 2  Scottish 

Caldy 4 - 1 Cornish Pirates

Doncaster 1 - 5 Coventry

Ealing 5 - 0 Nottingham 

Hartpury 5 - 0 Cambridge



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#AClubForLife💛❤️🖤


Posted By: Paul10
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2024 at 14:05
Ampthill 2 - 5 Scottish 

Caldy 5 - 1 Cornish Pirates

Doncaster 1 - 5 Coventry

Ealing 5 - 0 Nottingham 

Hartpury 5 - 1 Cambridge

And

Bedford 2 - 5 Bristol 


Posted By: *Stalwart
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2024 at 17:32

Ampthill 4 - 1  Scottish 

Caldy 1 - 4 Cornish Pirates

Doncaster 4 - 1 Coventry

Ealing 5 - 1 Nottingham 

Hartpury 4 - 0 Cambridge



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*Stalwart


Posted By: All the Way
Date Posted: 29 Feb 2024 at 08:39

Ampthill 5 - 2  Scottish 

Caldy 1 - 4 Cornish Pirates

Doncaster 1 - 5 Coventry

Ealing 5 - 0 Nottingham 

Hartpury 5 - 0 Cambridge



Posted By: Donnyknightfan
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 07:56
Predictions:
Ampthill 5 - 2 London Scottish 
Caldy 1 - 5 Cornish Pirates 
Doncaster 4 - 1 Coventry - Cov should win, but I think Donny could do it at home.
Ealing 5 - 0 Nottingham 
Hartpury 5 - 1 Cambridge 


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Donny Knights - best team in Yorkshire


Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 08:17
7:45pm kick off Bristol coming to Blues

Bristol Bears team to face Bedford Blues at Goldington Road on Friday night (7.45pm KO):

15. Noah Heward, 14. Siva Naulago, 13. Virimi Vakatawa, 12. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 11. Gabriel Ibitoye, 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Kieran Marmion; 1. Yann Thomas, 2. Fred Davies, 3. Max Lahiff, 4. Ed Holmes, 5. Joe Batley, 6. Steven Luatua, 7. Fitz Harding (c), 8. Benjamin Grondona.


System players: Tomas Gwilliam, Sam Grahamslaw, Steven Longwell, Jay Tyack, Jimmy Halliwell, Charlie Rice, Aaron Tull, Kofi Cripps, Magnus Bradbury, Sam Wolstenholme, Oscar Lennon, Sam Worsley, James Williams, Piers O’Conor, Deago Bailey, Jack Bates, Rich Lane.



Bedford Blues starting XV: 

15. Matt Worley, 14. Sean French, 13. Jamie Elliott, 12. Jordan Venter, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Louis Grimoldby, 9. James Lennon; 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish (C), 3. Bryan O'Connor, 4. Robin Williams, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Jac Arthur, 7. Kieran Curran, 8. Cameron King

Bedford Blues Replacements: 

Jamie Jack, Isaac Bell, Ed Prowse, Jordan Onojaife, Emeka Atuanya, Luke Frost, Geordie Irvine, Reuben Logan, Alex Day, Will Maisey, Jake Garside, Will Glister, Michael Le Bourgeois, Pat Tapley, Ewan Baker




Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 09:01
Originally posted by The Blues The Blues wrote:

7:45pm kick off Bristol coming to Blues

Bristol Bears team to face Bedford Blues at Goldington Road on Friday night (7.45pm KO):

15. Noah Heward, 14. Siva Naulago, 13. Virimi Vakatawa, 12. Kalaveti Ravouvou, 11. Gabriel Ibitoye, 10. Callum Sheedy, 9. Kieran Marmion; 1. Yann Thomas, 2. Fred Davies, 3. Max Lahiff, 4. Ed Holmes, 5. Joe Batley, 6. Steven Luatua, 7. Fitz Harding (c), 8. Benjamin Grondona.


System players: Tomas Gwilliam, Sam Grahamslaw, Steven Longwell, Jay Tyack, Jimmy Halliwell, Charlie Rice, Aaron Tull, Kofi Cripps, Magnus Bradbury, Sam Wolstenholme, Oscar Lennon, Sam Worsley, James Williams, Piers O’Conor, Deago Bailey, Jack Bates, Rich Lane.



Bedford Blues starting XV: 

15. Matt Worley, 14. Sean French, 13. Jamie Elliott, 12. Jordan Venter, 11. Dean Adamson, 10. Louis Grimoldby, 9. James Lennon; 1. Joey Conway, 2. James Fish (C), 3. Bryan O'Connor, 4. Robin Williams, 5. Alex Woolford, 6. Jac Arthur, 7. Kieran Curran, 8. Cameron King

Bedford Blues Replacements: 

Jamie Jack, Isaac Bell, Ed Prowse, Jordan Onojaife, Emeka Atuanya, Luke Frost, Geordie Irvine, Reuben Logan, Alex Day, Will Maisey, Jake Garside, Will Glister, Michael Le Bourgeois, Pat Tapley, Ewan Baker



"System players" - really?!


Posted By: Paul10
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 09:55
First Bedford game I've been to in a while. Looking forward to it.

Whatever Brizzle call their subs is fine.


Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 12:50

Coventry

Wilson, Hutler, Wand, Hitchprong, Martin; Pellegrini, Chudley; Trinder, Poole, Nicol; Tyas, Nkwocha; Ball, Kvesic, Nayalo.

Replacements: Biggs, Chilvers, NairauOwen, Ryan, Venner, Mitchell, Bartlett.



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Our City,
Our Club


Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 13:29

Ealing Trailfinders to face Nottingham: 

1 Will Goodrick-Clarke

2 Matt Cornish

3 Biyi Alo 

4 Bobby De Wee

5 Barney Maddison

6 Rob Farrar

7 Richard Hardwick

8 Rayn Smid

9 Jordan Burns

10 Dan Lancaster

11 Nathan Earle

12 Billy Twelvetrees

13 Reuben Bird-Tulloch

14 Angus Kernohan

15 Cian Kelleher

16 Mike Willemse

17 Kyle Whyte

18 Jimmy Roots

19 Andrew Davidson

20 Will Montgomery

21 Dan HisHuckleberrys

22 Dan O’Brien

23 Jonah Holmes



Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 13:31
Predictions:
Ampthill 1 - 4London Scottish - I think this is the first time I have picked Scottish in 4 years, but they have looked good recently.
Caldy 4 - 1 Cornish Pirates - Caldy always tough at home.
Doncaster 1 - 4 Coventry - Donny back room in flux
Ealing 5 - 0 Nottingham - Good squad
Hartpury 5 - 1 Cambridge - Cambridge not looking great


Posted By: Bluesman11
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 15:00
Nottingham seem to have more Saints players in their starting XV than Bedford do recently. I think they have 3 this weekend, Sylvester has made a fair few blues appearances the last couple of seasons (and looked impressive) but now seems to be turning out for Nottingham.

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Championship Prediction League Winner 11/12


Posted By: greenpower
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 15:35
hartpury  5  0 cambridge
amthill     4  1 scottish
caldy        1 4 pirates
doncaster  1 4 coventry
ealing        5 0 nottingham



Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 16:41
Originally posted by Bluesman11 Bluesman11 wrote:

Nottingham seem to have more Saints players in their starting XV than Bedford do recently. I think they have 3 this weekend, Sylvester has made a fair few blues appearances the last couple of seasons (and looked impressive) but now seems to be turning out for Nottingham.
Championship clubs dancing to the PRL tune.


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Our City,
Our Club


Posted By: Paul10
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 17:01
Originally posted by Kimbo Kimbo wrote:

Originally posted by Bluesman11 Bluesman11 wrote:

Nottingham seem to have more Saints players in their starting XV than Bedford do recently. I think they have 3 this weekend, Sylvester has made a fair few blues appearances the last couple of seasons (and looked impressive) but now seems to be turning out for Nottingham.
Championship clubs dancing to the PRL tune.
I count 4 saints lads on the blues bench. Garside, Baker, Logan and Glister.
Might be more but noticed those ones.


Posted By: Bluesman11
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 18:02
Originally posted by Paul10 Paul10 wrote:

Originally posted by Kimbo Kimbo wrote:

Originally posted by Bluesman11 Bluesman11 wrote:

Nottingham seem to have more Saints players in their starting XV than Bedford do recently. I think they have 3 this weekend, Sylvester has made a fair few blues appearances the last couple of seasons (and looked impressive) but now seems to be turning out for Nottingham.
Championship clubs dancing to the PRL tune.
I count 4 saints lads on the blues bench. Garside, Baker, Logan and Glister.
Might be more but noticed those ones.

We have a squad of 30 for the friendly so there’s a few more this week. If we had 23 out, I think only Ed Prowse and a hooker would feature to cover a couple of front row injuries


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Championship Prediction League Winner 11/12


Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 20:34
HT Blues 12-35 Bristol

Blues have played well and the score really doesn’t reflect the game. Bristol have been more clinical with half of the opportunities on a muddy and wet night.


Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 20:39
Originally posted by Bluesman11 Bluesman11 wrote:

Originally posted by Paul10 Paul10 wrote:

Originally posted by Kimbo Kimbo wrote:

Originally posted by Bluesman11 Bluesman11 wrote:

Nottingham seem to have more Saints players in their starting XV than Bedford do recently. I think they have 3 this weekend, Sylvester has made a fair few blues appearances the last couple of seasons (and looked impressive) but now seems to be turning out for Nottingham.
Championship clubs dancing to the PRL tune.
I count 4 saints lads on the blues bench. Garside, Baker, Logan and Glister.
Might be more but noticed those ones.

We have a squad of 30 for the friendly so there’s a few more this week. If we had 23 out, I think only Ed Prowse and a hooker would feature to cover a couple of front row injuries

I think there are 8 Saints today for the 2nd half team.

The squad is a lot better this year without a few squad fillers who were ND1 standard at best, so we haven’t needed a many of the Saints youngsters.


Posted By: Nat1
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 21:03
With no Nat 1 rugby his week I thought I'd follow the Champ games and I see Cambridge are currently 42-5 down at Hartpury, conceding at a rate of a point a minute Shocked 

I don't know much about the Champ, but is the step up from Nat 1 that big for most clubs?


Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 21:04
Att 3017

Not bad considering it’s non stop rain.


Posted By: castleparknight
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 21:11
Originally posted by Nat1 Nat1 wrote:

With no Nat 1 rugby his week I thought I'd follow the Champ games and I see Cambridge are currently 42-5 down at Hartpury, conceding at a rate of a point a minute Shocked 

I don't know much about the Champ, but is the step up from Nat 1 that big for most clubs?

Pretty much, but there are opportunities to develop and maybe get the odd W


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Onward and Upwards C'mon Donny!


Posted By: The Blues
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 21:28
FT blues 33-54 Bristol


Posted By: Abbotsman
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 21:31
FT Hartpury 61 - 10 Cambridge 


Posted By: Nat1
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 21:40
Originally posted by castleparknight castleparknight wrote:

Originally posted by Nat1 Nat1 wrote:

With no Nat 1 rugby his week I thought I'd follow the Champ games and I see Cambridge are currently 42-5 down at Hartpury, conceding at a rate of a point a minute Shocked 

I don't know much about the Champ, but is the step up from Nat 1 that big for most clubs?

Pretty much, but there are opportunities to develop and maybe get the odd W

Thanks, and yes it seems that way as Cambridge look to have had a proper hiding this evening conceding 9 tries, and against a fellow semi-pro rather than full-time team (Hartpury certainly use to be semi-pro anyway). 


Posted By: Bluesman11
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 21:45
Unrelated question, but will Cambridge be showing the England Ireland game somewhere after the Bedford game next Saturday?

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Championship Prediction League Winner 11/12


Posted By: Paul10
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 22:39
Originally posted by The Blues The Blues wrote:

HT Blues 12-35 Bristol

Blues have played well and the score really doesn’t reflect the game. Bristol have been more clinical with half of the opportunities on a muddy and wet night.

This is a really good summary.

2nd half was more even but Bristol's attack was always sharper


Posted By: islander
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 23:18
Originally posted by Bluesman11 Bluesman11 wrote:

Unrelated question, but will Cambridge be showing the England Ireland game somewhere after the Bedford game next Saturday?

barring the Pope's conversion to Islam between now and then, yes... 


Posted By: Camquin
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2024 at 23:55
Squad size and injuries have been problems for Cambridge, along with budget.

We get Jamie Benson back from the Blues next week, and hopefully Joe Tarrant will have recovered from his shoulder injury soon. Both of whom will shore up the back line.

However, Mat Hema is out for the season, and we are missing his running and tackling.

Our big problems seem to be turning possession into points, and then stopping the opposition scoring.
We struggle to break down defences, so we go through phases getting nowhere, then turn over possession and are suddenly thirty metres downfield defending like crazy.

I know Ritchie has eyes on some new recruits for next season, if we can afford them.

As to showing the International after the Blues match - I assume we will. We usually have it on the screens in all the bars. After all, we want you to stay and drink the beer. It is our secret plan for affording new centres for next year.

And don't forget, it is a double header, with the ladies playing first. The Exiles are also at home on the other pitch. 

Buy your tickets - and especially parking online. 
Parking is limited. Nearly half have gone already. 
We are expecting the biggest crowd of the year,




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Sweeney Delenda Est


Posted By: Clive Norling
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 11:08
[/QUOTE]

Our big problems seem to be turning possession into points, and then stopping the opposition scoring.
We struggle to break down defences, so we go through phases getting nowhere, then turn over possession and are suddenly thirty metres downfield defending like crazy.

[/QUOTE]

And in that one sentence you pose the problem that faces the (whenever it next happens) promoted team from The Championship into The Premiership ... as you go up the leagues one at a time, the step up just gets greater and greater ...
The more experienced team has a better defence and tend to be more clinical in attack (and when you throw in part time players against full time players, it just increases the task massively) ....


Posted By: Nat1
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 13:26
Originally posted by Clive Norling Clive Norling wrote:

[/QUOTE]


Our big problems seem to be turning possession into points, and then stopping the opposition scoring.
We struggle to break down defences, so we go through phases getting nowhere, then turn over possession and are suddenly thirty metres downfield defending like crazy.

[/QUOTE]

And in that one sentence you pose the problem that faces the (whenever it next happens) promoted team from The Championship into The Premiership ... as you go up the leagues one at a time, the step up just gets greater and greater ...
The more experienced team has a better defence and tend to be more clinical in attack (and when you throw in part time players against full time players, it just increases the task massively) ....[/QUOTE]

I think you are right, and it's incredible that any of the semi pro Champ teams manage to turn over the fully pro teams from time to time, fair play to them.
On that note, I know you are a Rams supporter and wondered if Rams plan to go fully pro if they beat Chinnor to promotion this year, or if/when they take part in Prem 2 when it starts the season after? 


Posted By: Clive Norling
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 15:07
Originally posted by Nat1 Nat1 wrote:

Originally posted by Clive Norling Clive Norling wrote:



Our big problems seem to be turning possession into points, and then stopping the opposition scoring.
We struggle to break down defences, so we go through phases getting nowhere, then turn over possession and are suddenly thirty metres downfield defending like crazy.



And in that one sentence you pose the problem that faces the (whenever it next happens) promoted team from The Championship into The Premiership ... as you go up the leagues one at a time, the step up just gets greater and greater ...
The more experienced team has a better defence and tend to be more clinical in attack (and when you throw in part time players against full time players, it just increases the task massively) ....[/QUOTE]

I think you are right, and it's incredible that any of the semi pro Champ teams manage to turn over the fully pro teams from time to time, fair play to them.
On that note, I know you are a Rams supporter and wondered if Rams plan to go fully pro if they beat Chinnor to promotion this year, or if/when they take part in Prem 2 when it starts the season after? 
[/QUOTE]

National 1 promotion is Chinnor's to lose (with respect to Cambridge, as it was ours to lose last season and we did ) ... all we can do is keep the pressure on them but if they win their last 6 games with 5 point wins, it doesn't matter what we do, they'll go up and deservedly so (as was the case with Cambridge last year) ...

Prem 2? Well it's totally up in the air at the moment BUT what we have done is put in place off the field many things but the 2 biggest are, broadcast quality floodlights and a 400 seat stand, which if necessary, we could easily replicate another stand on the opposite side of the pitch ... we could NOT go fully professional with players unless there was subsistence from the RFU but our CEO Gary Reynolds along with his son Seb Reynolds (DoR) and the rest of the board are very ambitious but at the same time being able to balance the finances between income and expenditure (contrary to what some people say) we do NOT pay huge money to our players (and as a previously high income sponsor, I should know) ... We have a squad of 40-50 players who play 1st & 2nd team rugby and with the demise of LI, this season we've had NO LOAN players what so ever, unlike a number of our rivals ....


Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 15:13
Back to Champ Round 14?
HT Donny 0-10 Cov


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Our City,
Our Club


Posted By: FHLH
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 15:17
Originally posted by Clive Norling Clive Norling wrote:

...... We have a squad of 40-50 players who play 1st & 2nd team rugby and with the demise of LI, this season we've had NO LOAN players what so ever, unlike a number of our rivals ....

One might say that this is the way to play rugby, however the concept of a rugby club is lost at Levels 1 & 2 - with a couple of notable Championship exceptions. 

Foreign players kick the ladder away from aspiring club players, loan players kick it further down the road.

Or is it that I am a dinosaur seeking to watch rugby in it's pureist form?


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"My father told me big men fall just as quick as little ones, if you put a sword through their hearts."


Posted By: maire23
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 15:17
HT at Vallis Way- Ealing 17 Notts 19! 

Absolutely stunned (but as a Notts fan I’m happy) 


Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 15:33
Donny 0-13 Cov
45 mins


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Our City,
Our Club


Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 15:36
Ealing 24 (BP) - Nottingham 19 - 44' - Ealing pt, Nottingham yc. Nottingham restarts great today.


Posted By: maire23
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 15:43
Ealing 24 Notts 26


Posted By: Geoff DC
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 15:46
Caldy 0 Pirates 19 - HT


Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 15:46
Originally posted by maire23 maire23 wrote:

Ealing 24 Notts 26

This game is boiling down to Ealing power vs.  Nottingham pace. Very entertaining 


Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 15:49
Penalty try and YC.
Donny 0-20 Cov
60 mins


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Our City,
Our Club


Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 15:56
Donny 7-20 Cov
66 mins


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Our City,
Our Club


Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 15:58
Ealing 45 (BP) - Nottingham 26 (BP) 66' - Ealing have started to play more expanisively, and really opened the score in the last 10.


Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 16:07
Donny 12-20 Cov
78 mins
Cov trying to hold on with 14 men following a YC to Hutler on 75.

Oops
Now 12-25
80 mins


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Our City,
Our Club


Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 16:07
Correction
12-27


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Our City,
Our Club


Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 16:10
And that's FT.
2T-3T
0-4


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Our City,
Our Club


Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 16:12
Amps 35-12 LS
FT

Caldy 7-19 CP


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Our City,
Our Club


Posted By: knightandday
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 16:16
Cov should have been out of sight before half time. 

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Winning isn't everything, it just makes the beer taste better


Posted By: oneagainstthehead
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 16:17
Full time at Vallis Way

Ealing 52(BP) - 26(BP) Nottingham 

Ealing largely cut out the silky mistakes that plagued their first half.


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Speak softly, but carry a big stick.


Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 16:40
Originally posted by knightandday knightandday wrote:

Cov should have been out of sight before half time. 
Story of their season. (Apart from one particular game Wink).


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Our City,
Our Club


Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 16:40
Originally posted by oneagainstthehead oneagainstthehead wrote:

Full time at Vallis Way

Ealing 52(BP) - 26(BP) Nottingham 

Ealing largely cut out the silky mistakes that plagued their first half.

Silky mistakes are the best ones.


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Our City,
Our Club


Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 16:42
Caldy 7-32 CP. Just about finished, so I think we can say 0-5, and Pirates go second.

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Our City,
Our Club


Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 16:43
Typical! 14-32 now, but no effect on points tallies.
FT


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Our City,
Our Club


Posted By: tigerburnie
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 18:03
Originally posted by FHLH FHLH wrote:

Originally posted by Clive Norling Clive Norling wrote:

...... We have a squad of 40-50 players who play 1st & 2nd team rugby and with the demise of LI, this season we've had NO LOAN players what so ever, unlike a number of our rivals ....

One might say that this is the way to play rugby, however the concept of a rugby club is lost at Levels 1 & 2 - with a couple of notable Championship exceptions. 

Foreign players kick the ladder away from aspiring club players, loan players kick it further down the road.

Or is it that I am a dinosaur seeking to watch rugby in it's pureist form?
You'll be expecting the Scotland team to be full of Scotsmen next rather than McBoks lol


Posted By: Baggins
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 18:10
Originally posted by Kimbo Kimbo wrote:

Amps 35-12 LS
FT



Odd Game, turned up 8 mins late due to road works and broken down truck on the M1Ouch

Ampthill 12 nil down and crowd subdued.

Then saw the As score 5 converted tries without reply and utterly dominate the second half after going in 14:12 up.

Must have been an odd sort of match for those who were there from the start, and for London Scottish.

a couple of cracking tries by As, no idea what the LS ones were like Big smile

Watching these days they all look like kids, rosy cheeks, silly haircuts Unhappy

Where did all the time disappear too?


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Propping up the board


Posted By: Clive Norling
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 21:34
Originally posted by FHLH FHLH wrote:

Originally posted by Clive Norling Clive Norling wrote:

...... We have a squad of 40-50 players who play 1st & 2nd team rugby and with the demise of LI, this season we've had NO LOAN players what so ever, unlike a number of our rivals ....


One might say that this is the way to play rugby, however the concept of a rugby club is lost at Levels 1 & 2 - with a couple of notable Championship exceptions. 

Foreign players kick the ladder away from aspiring club players, loan players kick it further down the road.

Or is it that I am a dinosaur seeking to watch rugby in it's pureist form?


Nothing wrong with being a dinosaur but as you go up the leagues UNFORTUNATELY it is harder to be a "rugby club" and survive at the rarefied level ...

I love National 1 because it's how rugby probably was before professionalism kicked in, having spent 21 years officiating Premiership, I know as a purist what I prefer watching ...

Our 2nd team that played Richmond 2nd's last Saturday had a total of 662 1st team appearances between the 20 players and we're proud of the fact that players come to us to play for a "rugby club" ...

For obvious reasons, I have followed Cambridge results this season with great interest, the challenge of moving from Level 3 to Level 2 is tough (but I knew that already but it's easier than going from Level 2 to Level 1!)


Posted By: Rabbie Burns
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 21:39
Originally posted by tigerburnie tigerburnie wrote:

Originally posted by FHLH FHLH wrote:

Originally posted by Clive Norling Clive Norling wrote:

...... We have a squad of 40-50 players who play 1st & 2nd team rugby and with the demise of LI, this season we've had NO LOAN players what so ever, unlike a number of our rivals ....

One might say that this is the way to play rugby, however the concept of a rugby club is lost at Levels 1 & 2 - with a couple of notable Championship exceptions. 

Foreign players kick the ladder away from aspiring club players, loan players kick it further down the road.

Or is it that I am a dinosaur seeking to watch rugby in it's pureist form?
You'll be expecting the Scotland team to be full of Scotsmen next rather than McBoks lol

Or an English team full of Englishmen (latest non English Finn Smith, born in Scotland to Scottish parents moved to Englandshire). Won’t mention Vinopolas



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So many Christians not enough Lions


Posted By: SKalpy
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 22:30
Rabbie

Talk about the pot calling the kettle blackWink

See you soon mate


Posted By: SKalpy
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 22:39
Clive,

That is spot on. Good luck for the remainder of your games, and for selfish reason I hope to see you next season. 


Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2024 at 23:12
You lot still babbling on the Champ Round 14 thread?
Jeez.


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Our City,
Our Club


Posted By: gerg_861
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2024 at 07:46
Originally posted by oneagainstthehead oneagainstthehead wrote:

Full time at Vallis Way

Ealing 52(BP) - 26(BP) Nottingham 

Ealing largely cut out the silky mistakes that plagued their first half.

That's a great way of explaining the difference in the first and second halves at Ealing. To add a bit more to it, I was very pleased that Ealing remembered how to tackle. In the first half, Nottingham made a huge number of meters (or yards) due to missed tackles, often straight through the middle. Couple that with a few bonehead mistakes, Nottingham bravely winning back several restarts, and especially a couple of aimless chips over the top that resulted in the mark being called, and Nottingham were very deservedly in front at the break. 

After the half, I didn't see any more missed tackles, the passing was much crisper, Ealing won a lot more of their restarts, kicked the ball away less, and attacked with ball in hand more to pressure Nottingham. I'm doubly pleased that they managed this with their 3rd choice fly half and scrum half due to injuries, which also necessitated a call up for one of the academy lads, who got his debut.

A final point on this one; Ealing's marketing department did a good job with this one, as they made it a double header with the women's match, created some fun events, and got a good (for Ealing) crowd of about 1600 out, which was very predominantly home fans.


Posted By: KnightsBoy
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2024 at 09:41
Originally posted by Rabbie Burns Rabbie Burns wrote:

Originally posted by tigerburnie tigerburnie wrote:

Originally posted by FHLH FHLH wrote:

Originally posted by Clive Norling Clive Norling wrote:

...... We have a squad of 40-50 players who play 1st & 2nd team rugby and with the demise of LI, this season we've had NO LOAN players what so ever, unlike a number of our rivals ....

One might say that this is the way to play rugby, however the concept of a rugby club is lost at Levels 1 & 2 - with a couple of notable Championship exceptions. 

Foreign players kick the ladder away from aspiring club players, loan players kick it further down the road.

Or is it that I am a dinosaur seeking to watch rugby in it's pureist form?
You'll be expecting the Scotland team to be full of Scotsmen next rather than McBoks lol

Or an English team full of Englishmen (latest non English Finn Smith, born in Scotland to Scottish parents moved to Englandshire). Won’t mention Vinopolas


According to Wiki Finn Smith was born in Warwick, is Wiki wrong?

And you did mention the Vunipolas, both arrived in Britain as children when dad signed for pontypool I believe in 98, in my opinion a massive difference for them choosing to represent one of the British countries.  What I don't like is the players that do the 3 year residency to play, that is the rule I personally don't like, it should be longer, maybe 10 years.


Posted By: tigerburnie
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2024 at 10:53
Mike Catt, Dylan Hartley and Thomas Waldrom spring to mind as recent ish England players from abroad and of course that famous Welshman George North was born in Norfolk, does it really matter?


Posted By: KnightsBoy
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2024 at 11:20
[QUOTE=tigerburnie]Mike Catt, Dylan Hartley and Thomas Waldrom spring to mind as recent ish England players from abroad and of course that famous Welshman George North was born in Norfolk, does it really matter?[/QUOTE

You are correct North was born in Norfolk, but moved to Anglesey aged two, brought up a welshman.  I think using North is a poor example.now Duhan van der Merwe is an example of what is wrong with the current residency rules. He arrived in Edinburgh 2017.


Posted By: Exiled_Scots
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2024 at 13:17
Originally posted by KnightsBoy KnightsBoy wrote:

Originally posted by Rabbie Burns Rabbie Burns wrote:

Originally posted by tigerburnie tigerburnie wrote:

Originally posted by FHLH FHLH wrote:

Originally posted by Clive Norling Clive Norling wrote:

...... We have a squad of 40-50 players who play 1st & 2nd team rugby and with the demise of LI, this season we've had NO LOAN players what so ever, unlike a number of our rivals ....

One might say that this is the way to play rugby, however the concept of a rugby club is lost at Levels 1 & 2 - with a couple of notable Championship exceptions. 

Foreign players kick the ladder away from aspiring club players, loan players kick it further down the road.

Or is it that I am a dinosaur seeking to watch rugby in it's pureist form?
You'll be expecting the Scotland team to be full of Scotsmen next rather than McBoks lol

Or an English team full of Englishmen (latest non English Finn Smith, born in Scotland to Scottish parents moved to Englandshire). Won’t mention Vinopolas


According to Wiki Finn Smith was born in Warwick, is Wiki wrong?

And you did mention the Vunipolas, both arrived in Britain as children when dad signed for pontypool I believe in 98, in my opinion a massive difference for them choosing to represent one of the British countries.  What I don't like is the players that do the 3 year residency to play, that is the rule I personally don't like, it should be longer, maybe 10 years.

I do believe the rules on residency have been changed by World Rugby to now being a 5 year qualifying period. 


-------------
Watch Out - The Scottish Phoenix Club is on the Up!!

Seven down one to go


Posted By: KnightsBoy
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2024 at 13:36
Originally posted by Exiled_Scots Exiled_Scots wrote:

Originally posted by KnightsBoy KnightsBoy wrote:

Originally posted by Rabbie Burns Rabbie Burns wrote:

Originally posted by tigerburnie tigerburnie wrote:

Originally posted by FHLH FHLH wrote:

Originally posted by Clive Norling Clive Norling wrote:

...... We have a squad of 40-50 players who play 1st & 2nd team rugby and with the demise of LI, this season we've had NO LOAN players what so ever, unlike a number of our rivals ....

One might say that this is the way to play rugby, however the concept of a rugby club is lost at Levels 1 & 2 - with a couple of notable Championship exceptions. 

Foreign players kick the ladder away from aspiring club players, loan players kick it further down the road.

Or is it that I am a dinosaur seeking to watch rugby in it's pureist form?
You'll be expecting the Scotland team to be full of Scotsmen next rather than McBoks lol

Or an English team full of Englishmen (latest non English Finn Smith, born in Scotland to Scottish parents moved to Englandshire). Won’t mention Vinopolas


According to Wiki Finn Smith was born in Warwick, is Wiki wrong?

And you did mention the Vunipolas, both arrived in Britain as children when dad signed for pontypool I believe in 98, in my opinion a massive difference for them choosing to represent one of the British countries.  What I don't like is the players that do the 3 year residency to play, that is the rule I personally don't like, it should be longer, maybe 10 years.

I do believe the rules on residency have been changed by World Rugby to now being a 5 year qualifying period. 

Better but not enough for me to stop the international cap mercenaries 


Posted By: tigerburnie
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2024 at 13:39
Selection could indeed be a difficult choice for individuals, now the game is professional, no doubt the money to be had is a big influence.
I was born in England and raised there, but my Dad was a displaced person at the end of World War2 from a country that was "given" to the USSR by the allies(who gave them such right?) My Mums roots go back to Anglo Saxon Royalty, mixed in with some Normans, a Welsh grannie who was Owain Glendower's daughter and another grannie was the daughter of a Scottish King. I have also lived in Paris, Amsterdam, Luxembourg and for the past 20 years Scotland
So England, France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, Wales and Scotland, who do I choose?
Now where are my boots


Posted By: Exiled_Scots
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2024 at 17:14
Originally posted by KnightsBoy KnightsBoy wrote:

Originally posted by Exiled_Scots Exiled_Scots wrote:

Originally posted by KnightsBoy KnightsBoy wrote:

Originally posted by Rabbie Burns Rabbie Burns wrote:

Originally posted by tigerburnie tigerburnie wrote:

Originally posted by FHLH FHLH wrote:

Originally posted by Clive Norling Clive Norling wrote:

...... We have a squad of 40-50 players who play 1st & 2nd team rugby and with the demise of LI, this season we've had NO LOAN players what so ever, unlike a number of our rivals ....

One might say that this is the way to play rugby, however the concept of a rugby club is lost at Levels 1 & 2 - with a couple of notable Championship exceptions. 

Foreign players kick the ladder away from aspiring club players, loan players kick it further down the road.

Or is it that I am a dinosaur seeking to watch rugby in it's pureist form?
You'll be expecting the Scotland team to be full of Scotsmen next rather than McBoks lol

Or an English team full of Englishmen (latest non English Finn Smith, born in Scotland to Scottish parents moved to Englandshire). Won’t mention Vinopolas


According to Wiki Finn Smith was born in Warwick, is Wiki wrong?

And you did mention the Vunipolas, both arrived in Britain as children when dad signed for pontypool I believe in 98, in my opinion a massive difference for them choosing to represent one of the British countries.  What I don't like is the players that do the 3 year residency to play, that is the rule I personally don't like, it should be longer, maybe 10 years.

I do believe the rules on residency have been changed by World Rugby to now being a 5 year qualifying period. 

Better but not enough for me to stop the international cap mercenaries 

Yes all international sides use these residency rules to their own advantage when it suits them.

You only have to look when England capped Alex Hepburn on residency grounds who was born in Australia with no connections to England, only for him to change to Scotland. At least Alex’s father was born in Scotland. 


-------------
Watch Out - The Scottish Phoenix Club is on the Up!!

Seven down one to go


Posted By: Kimbo
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2024 at 19:40
I believe Smith was indeed born in Warwick. Whether or not he was, he played his early rugby for Shipston on Stour at least.

-------------
Our City,
Our Club


Posted By: cheshire exile
Date Posted: 03 Mar 2024 at 21:18
And here was I looking for comments on round 14, such as those from the majority of predictors who forecast a win for Caldy….



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