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OB’s Vets v. Hove Vets Print E-mail
Rugby Vets - News
Written by Joey Appleton   
Saturday, 13 December 2003
the OB’s Vets v. Hove Vets Many thanks to John & Fiona Aiken for organising the Old Brightonian’s first Vets rugby match. It was a grand feat in itself persuading many OB’s to play for a Vets side as several didn’t think they were old enough to qualify! For future note Horse the age requirement is over 35 years. Many of the OB’s that played had not dusted off their boots for several seasons; in fact James Bushell is adamant that he had not gifted us with his presence for over 10 years. Dodgey shoulder or not he certainly played his part and showed us he still has that turn of pace that made him legendary on the wing.
We could not have picked a wetter day to play and as the rain lashed down several of us sat in the changing room wondering what we had let ourselves in for. However spirits were high and the general banter was of past glories and matches we had starred in from ages long gone. The referee was late but this was an advantage as it took us much longer to get ready since most of us seemed to be strapping on supports and bandages for all appendages. Vaseline and Deep Heat applied we were ready for action.

Old Brightonians won the toss and decided to play with the elements in the first half. After a pointless first quarter, the OB’s looked comfortable in all areas except scrummaging and could have taken the lead on several occasions. We won a penalty on the half way line and after Texas from Horse we had our own lineout on the opposition 22 metre line. The calls were made Julian Withers threw to Stuart Grant at the front of the line who took the ball at the limits of his lifters. The author called for the ball early and fed Mike Edmonds (Horse) at fly half with speed and accuracy. Horse set in motion the old tried and tested double dummy with both centres and then fed the full back that put James Bushell in with his first try for over ten years. Deep joy. Conversion missed the OB’s entered half time 5 – 0 up.

Joey Appleton and Tony LewisThe only other point of comment for the first half was the persistent fringing by the Hove Vets. The referee seemed totally one sided and I can safely say that at no time did any of the OB’s appear to handle on the floor or put themselves anywhere near an offside position with the exception of a few of the more unfit OB’s returning late to the rucks and mauls! Tony Lewis and I of course pointed this out to the referee on a number of occasions. However the referee continued to allow the perpetrators to go unpunished. The new slim line Tony Lewis may have lost a few pounds but has not lost the wit of his tongue and having spotted Rick Cruttendon offside once again decided enough was enough and took the law literally into his own hands and lamped the infringer several times. The referee decidedly flustered sin bined both players until half time.

Joey Appleton and Tony LewisEarly in the second half the rain stopped and after a number of tactical substitutions the OB’s extended their lead with two further tries by Paul Atkins and Mark Dodd. Both went unconverted (it’s all about the hand positions Horse ask Jonny!) and the lead extended to 15 – 0. The last quarter saw the OB’s lacking a bit of fitness and Hove crept back into the game. Two tries from Hove by their rolling pack meant the last ten minutes would be very tense. However some brave defence by the back row of Jim Angel, Stuart Grant and Roger Simmons together with a cover tackle in the last minutes by the author, which amazed me more than the supporters on the touchline, gave the OB’s a trilling victory 15 – 10.

Everyone who played and watched enjoyed the first experience of OB’s vets rugby tremendously and all of us expressed our wishes for another game in the New Year. John Aitken will arrange another game early in February so please if you are interested get in touch by contacting John via email.

Congratulations to everyone involved!

JOHN AIKEN
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