Pheasant Pluckers/Belly Dancers Spring 2005

A mens (BD) and mixed (PP) team set up, building on a base of players that captain Richard has built up over time. It was obvious from the beginning that we were going to have to rely on wisdom rather than fitness or youthful exuberence to win games this season. A couple of practices at Southwark Park and Regents Park led to drinks at the China Hall (a pub that evoked the comment on one pub website "so bad its good, no forget that - its bad") and the Masons Arms which provided us with beer, but was otherwise unremarkable..

Thursday 5 May (Grading Round)

Belly Dancers (3) v Touching Cloth (5)

Not the most auspicious start to our campaign, especially against a side that had no subs. Still, the result meant that we would be graded in the weaker half of the comp, so it could be a blessing in disguise. We were all dead on our feet at the end of this game, even with two subs. We did have a couple of good chances though - and Richard dropping the ball on the line didnt help! Tries to Gert, Nathan and Richard

Pheasant Pluckers (2) v Midas touch (5)

Much the same result as for the BD tonight. Still getting to know people, so there was an element of confusion. There was also some concern with 5 mins before the start and we had no girls, but it all kicked off without too much hassle. We started with a try from the first touch of the ball, but never managed to attain those heights again. Must remember also, that swearing at the ref is not a good look (Ryan).. Tries to Gert and Richard.

The Chester Arms was chosen for our post game rehydration, and it was packed to the gunnals. We managed to get inside after the first pint and a half. Not a bad pub, beer was a little expensive, but too many punters. Good turnout from everyone though and Ryan made friends with the ref previously the target of verbal hositility.

Thursday 12 May (First Round)

Pheasant Pluckers (10) v The Last Row (0)

It was hard to not feel sorry for the team we were playing against, when they didnt know how to tap for the start, what a roll-the-ball constituted and that you werent allowed to kick the ball. It was just a matter of lining up to score the odd try and stay out of the bloody freezing wind! The team is starting to gel a bit though. MVP (as decided by Caz) was three-try Gert.

Belly Dancers (2) v Odds N Ends (1)

Hard-fought win that was marred by the loss of Jayden halfway through the second half but the highlight was a massive defensive touch on the line by Gibbo. Ryan and Gert managed to get tries and Jayden almost managed one, but 'drifted' over the dead ball line. Luckily his injury meant he avoided serious penalty for that at the pub later. MVP (courtesy Caz again) Ryan.

The pub the competition organisers told us to go to (hogs head) was supposed to supply food, but didnt and was a fair walk away in Camden. We (those who stayed a bit later at the pub) have decided to revert to the Chester Arms next week for post match refreshment. Then again there is always the Youngs pub accross the road that does 4 pint jugs for 6.90..

Thursday 19 May (Second Round)

Pheasant Pluckers (3) v Sparkles RFC (2)

Not the best conditions tonight, with afternoon rain meaning that the surface was very slippery - and so was the ball! Lots of dropped catches from both teams and changing direction quickly was not at all easy. Tina managed to make it to the game on time again... NOT! and we had a few team members who were feeling a little under the weather. It was all tied up at 2 all midway into the second half, when some great interplay between Nathan and Gert produced the game breaking try. MVP went to (incredibly!) Mark the ref, and James, Gert and Nathan were the try scorers.

Belly Dancers (2) v Old Street Onions (1)

Our opposition were all dressed in black bogan getup - but the Motorhead t-shirts didnt stop them going down 1-0 in the first minute with the 'Buffalo' move we'd been working on in between games. A great start was soon cancelled out and it took a brilliant bit of work from MVP James to get us ahead in the second half, a lead that we never relinquished. Nathan almost had a runaway try, but was denied by the ref (who looked pretty tired and could hardly keep up with the game) who made a huge mistake. Certainly a deserved win tonight.

While the lads were busy honing their skill and racking up another win, the girls were making use of the facilities at the Chester Arms. A far better proposition that the debacle of the Hogs Head last week. A team get together was mooted for later in the year. Next week we will decide on someone else to write the match reports so its not all slanted to Ryans point of view. Not that there's anything wrong with his point of view mind....

Thursday 26 May (Third Round)

Belly Dancers (1) v Electric Puhas (9)

It was very hot and humid today, and we started off with only 6 players, including Gavin, a ring-in who scored our first and only try to even things up at 1-1 early on. After that, things got worse as we wilted in the heat and despite Russell (another ring-in helping out, the rest of us were out on our feet. In the second half we were partially relieved by Rose and Caz who did well but ultimately were undone by a team that had too many subs. MVP for his try and good work around the park, was Gavin.

Pheasant Pluckers (4) v Weather Permitting (4)

Straight after the previous thrashing, we ran over to the next field where we were right back into it, and after getting an early lead started to fall away as the previous game started to take its toll. Luckily a good team effort and a late solo try from the tap-off evened things up by the final whistle. MVP for efforts today went to Rose. Special mention too, for Tina who almost made the start of the game, and in her own words "..was earlier than last time". Tries today were for Ryan (3) and James.

Having two early games, meant that we got to go to the pub early, and the Chester Arms did not dissapoint, setting up a special table for us outside, and quenching our (quite considerable) thirst. When the two groups left there was some banter across the tracks at Gt Portland Street station, followed by all sorts of carry-on on the Eastbound tube. For those of us who were absent or Westbound, we are still waiting for the pics... (thanks to Richard for these two tame ones though)

Thursday 2 June (Fourth Round)

Belly Dancers (3) v Surley Teamsters (15!)

We got annihilated! Once again a little short on players we had two ring-ins, Ross and a bloke whose name noone found out. It hardly helped our defence against a team that were superior in all facets. The game was played at an incredible pace. We were 8-0 down at half time, but managed to gel a little better for the second half. They, on the other hand had some great playmakers who made some good runs and got us time and time again with inside passes. Richard got warned a couple of times for attempted trips, but aside from that had a good game and ended up with MVP. The nameless ring in got one (very dubious!) try and Ryan the other two.

Pheasant Pluckers (5) v United B-Heinz (1)

Same pitch, same ref (Mark) and a whole new game. We started well getting good momentum and were rewarded early with probably the best try of the season so far after Nathan did a no-look overhead pass which resulted in Iain scoring. We were only 2-1 up at half time, but managed to close the game out in the second with MVP Kirsty making a good return to the team. Tonia after being a supporter last week took to the field this week and managed a sneaky try too. All in all a very good team performance, and based on tonight we should be confident of doing well in the finals. Tries went to Iain, Nathan, Tonia and Ryan (2)

It was a little more subdued at the pub after the game tonight, partly because Ryan, Nathan and Richard went off and played in another game and partly because we would have been doing well to keep up with the previous weeks efforts! In the game we played as ring-ins, Ryans adopted team (Weather Permitting) beat Nathan and Richards team (Touch & Go, who we play next week) 2-0 (2 tries to Ryan), unfortunately this helps them stay even with us at the top of the table.

Thursday 9 June (Fifth Round)

Pheasant Pluckers (7) v Touch & Go (1)

A nice change to start with the mixed game first, and against the bottom of the table side, we managed quite a good performance. Everything went well, we got threes going pretty well and scored some good tries without really trying too hard. MVP to Nathan for his weaving runs, that finally worked today! Tries to Craig (2), (Ring-in again) Ross (2), Ryan, Gibbo and James.

Belly Dancers (1) v All the Kings Horses (7)

This game was an absolute debacle! The ref couldnt assert himself on the game and took most of his instruction from the opposing team which caused us all to lose our cool and play poorly. From a dire performance it was decided that MVP go to James as he scored our solitary try.

With a massive gap between the games and the poor result at the end, the pub was quite subdued. We are going to have to pull our socks up for next weeks performances both on and off the field. The good news is that Weather Permitting lost to Sparkles RFC and this puts the PPs top of the league table.

Thursday 16 June (Sixth Round)

Belly Dancers (1) v Farquits (10)

Tonight once again the boys were short and Richard on his return from a land down under managed to get a couple of ring-ins from the in2touch website who really werent that flash, but stopped the rest of us from getting too tired chasing the other team towards the tryline. Our attack was actually pretty good, but once again it was our defense that cost us. Regular ring-in, Gavin also helped out and managed to set up a (conselation) try for Ryan. MVP - on his return from a broken back, was Phil

Phesant Pluckers (5) v Touch n Go (1) (Semi-final)

We played bottom of the league Touch n Go again for the second week in a row, and managed to get past them without any real difficulty, although not by the margin that we were hoping for. Everyone put in a good performance, though we are going to need to step up for the final next week. We still had patches of midfield confusion throughout the game and these will be punished in our last game of the season. Tries to comeback Phil (2), James (2), Ryan. MVP - Tina (even though she was late)

After initially getting overwhelmed by the heat inside, we eventually managed to get an outside table and enjoy a few beers in the balmy London weather, finishing up to conincide (conincedentally) with last orders.

Thursday 23 June (Finals Round)

Pheasant Pluckers (3) v Weather Permitting (4) (Final)

This one went down to the wire! After going down early, normal service seemed to be resuming when we pulled ahead facing a team that had no subs in the first half, and only one in the second half. Unfortunately a couple of wrong options and a late equalising try by WP, meant that we were panicy towards the end and despite all that almost got away with a win when Tina had a difficult chance on the right wing at the end of normal time.

Going into a drop-off situation (starting with 5 players per side and losing one every 2 minutes) they scored on their first set of six, meaning that we got one chance to reply. Unfortunately we couldnt equalise and the ball went to ground meaning that Weather Permitting walked away with first prize for the season.

Belly Dancers (5) v Old Street Onions (3)

An amazing rediscovery of form. This game started immediatley after the devastating loss, and it took the boys a little while to find their feet. We went into the second half down by 3-2 which was quite strange, as noone could figure out where our second try had come from, but ended up finding our game in the second half and courtesy of a couple of interceptions, walked away with it.

So, the end of the first season for 2005. The PPs did well, but failed at the final hurdle and the BDs managed to salvage a season that saw them with the worst try difference in the league to finish with some respectability in mid-table.

Bring on Summer touch '05..

Belly Dancers League table
Pheasant Pluckers League table

Complaints, innaccuracies and (probably well deserved) abuse to ryananglem@hotmail.com