Wildboys Have the Time of Their Lives

On the 17th February 1972 Andrew Marsicano Armstrong and Ollie Jackson welcomed into the world their sixth child named Billie Joe Armstrong. Young Billie grew up to form the punk rock band Green Day, who in 1994 shot to fame with their album ‘Dookie’. They have since become one of the most successful bands of their genre and have even had their music transformed into a Broadway musical. On the day of Billie’s 46th birthday, the Chinnor Wildboys travelled over to Rosehill to face Reading Abbey 2’s.
As the Wildboys arrived, it wasn’t quite the “Welcome to Paradise” that they had hoped for, the changing rooms were sub-zero, so after a quick change they were out on the pitches doing what they do best… playing some touch.
As the game commenced, the Wildboys looked sharp and before long Jon Down was bursting through from the halfway line, he was just about caught by the defending Abbey fullback, he then deftly off loaded to Guy Hackshaw who touched down for the first points of the day, it seemed though straight away the Wildboys were “Having a Blast”. Harry Lowe stepped up to take the conversion, but in true Wild form, the conversion was missed.
The next try of the day came from a well drilled lineout, a few powerful runs form the forwards then saw the ball in Sam Ludgate’s hands, who seems to get himself in these positions “All the Time”, he ignored the screams from out wide and touched down adding to his try scoring tally.
Some fantastic team play for the next fifteen minutes saw George Hope looking to “Take Back” his position in the centre alongside his dearest love and he scored two tries in quick succession. Harry Lowe managed to notch the first of the two conversions and the score stood at 0-22.
George Hope was enjoying himself back in the middle of the park and his “Longview” enabled him to intercept a pass from within an attacking Reading Abbey manoeuvre and run in a try from the Wildboys 22, securing himself a first half hattrick. Harry Lowe doubled his kicking tally and extended the score to 29-0.
The first half then took an unfortunate turn, the referee took a dislike to Max Williams and clearly thought he was a “Basket Case” he believed that Max had continually been involved in foul play and on the half-hour mark he sent him “Walking Alone” to the sin bin. Then to rub salt into the wound, five minutes later there was a fracas on the ground and the “Nimrod” Tots Rackstraw used his foot to usher away a Reading Abbey player. He was shown a red card for his efforts to which the Abbey players surely thought “Good Riddance”. When reaching the Wildboys entourage on the sideline Tots had to ask, “Does that mean I’m off for the whole game?” seemingly having a “Brain Stew” over the concept of a red card.
At half time the Wildboys had a 29-0 lead but would start the second half with just 13 players until they were able to “Take Back” Max Williams.
Reading Abbey used their increased numbers to pile the pressure on the Wildboys, but the defence was resolute. Eventually it was broken down and Abbey had a three on one, only to see the final pass for a sure try go forward.
James Way then entered the game in exchange for Chris Jeffcock. Way had been patiently “Waiting”, his patience paid off and within 20 seconds of being on the field he found himself out wide and jinked his way over the try line to extend the lead further. Lowe stepped up for the toughest kick of the day and superbly secured the extra 2 points to put the score at 0-36.
The Wildboys continued to dominate the set pieces and were winning the scrums and lineouts with just the seven players that they were left with. This gave the backs good clean ball and Jon Down was soon putting through a charging Jayson Abbott who scored a well-executed try. The conversion was missed.
Jayson Abbott then had a wild moment, the “Jackass” threw a poor pass to Jon Down and saw the ball punted through from the onrushing Abbey players, Jayson was then left in a footrace to get back to the ball, luckily all the leg work he has been doing in the gym really paid off and he was first to the ball. He then undid his mistake and stepped a couple of players, this time he successfully passed, and George Hope was scoring his fourth of the game. The connection between Chinnor’s very own Bert and Ernie really was “Oh Love”. Jon Down successfully converted his first effort of the day and the score was 0-48.
As the game neared it’s end the Wildboys continued to press for more, a final press saw Tom Jarvis pass to Tom White who scored under the posts for the final try of the game. Guy Hackshaw drop-kicked the resulting conversion and put score at 0-55 “In the End”.
It was a superb team performance from the Wildboys, with all 18 players performing well whilst on the pitch. Man of the Match nominations went to Dave Kimber for consistently stealing lineouts, Jon Goodson for clearing out rucks with bullish ferocity and turning over scrums, Sam Ludgate and George Hope for both doing what they do, but Man of the Match this week went to Jon Down for his great performance at 10, running the game in attack and defending with ferocity. George White shared the accolade after a powerful first half where he made lots of yards with his carries (and as it was his birthday the week prior) and together they downed their Guinness #TheCrown.
Mare of the Match was a touch easier, Tots Rackstraw was way ahead with the votes due to his red card, but his chum had broken poor Totsy’s car whilst charging his I-Phone and he was not there for court. Therefore, a stitch up saw George White awarded the Mare of the Match (as it was his birthday the week prior) and he had to drink the horrendous concoction made by our friends at the Crown, Sydenham #TheCrown.
The Wildboys have a week off before they host Aylesbury 2s on the 3rd of March. Until then, keep it Wild….
You know you love me
Gossip Girl
xoxoxo
Man of the Match: Jon Down, George White
Mare of the Match: Tots Rackstraw
Tries: G.Hackshaw, S.Ludgate, G.Hope(4), J.Way, J.Abbott, T.White
Conv: H.Lowe(3), J.Down, G.Hackshaw