Effingham B 10 – 10 London Irish B

Eagles 10 – 10 London Irish B

Juniors U13B • League • Sun 18th Apr 10, 10:30AM

Effingham B 10 – 10 London Irish B

“If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you”

Whilst I’ll readily confess that Rudyard Kipling’s “If” makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up, it really did sum up yesterday’s game against London Irish B’s from a number of different perspectives.

Despite witnessing some of the most deplorable behaviour exhibited and examples set by so-called “supporters” of the junior game, the young Eagles (and one older one in particular!) came through the test of character with their heads held high and pride radiating all the way around KGV.

As a coach, you can generally tell from the way the lads go through their warm up as to whether they’re up for the match and even before the kick-off there was a sense of determination coupled with teamwork and technique and so it proved. From the moment the referee blew the whistle and Myles Wickes stamped his authority on the game with 2 crunching tackles, the Effingham lads were determined to battle and support one another and without doubt surprised and stunned an Exiles side expecting an easy match given the Eagles’ lowly position in the table.

The first 15 minutes saw play take place almost entirely in the London Irish half and it was a just reward when an excellent move off the back of a ruck led to a concerted drive before Dominic Brown touched down. Not satisfied with that, Effingham continued to put the pressure on London Irish and more positive recycling of the ball and a massive drive saw Mikey Crowhurst take possession of the ball near the opposition line and gain the crucial distance to double the Eagles’ score.

Stung into action, Irish responded with a flowing move of their own to halve the deficit and despite pressuring for an equalising score, the Effingham defence held out strong and the teams took the half time break with Effingham leading 10-5.

No doubt fired up at half time, Irish came out of the blocks the stronger team in the second half and within the first minute had scored the levelling try and with momentum on their side, coupled with a heavier pack, must have felt as though the game was theirs.

But they had reckoned without the passion and determination of the lads in green and yellow. Despite being forced to defend for much of the second half, the line held firm and with the frustration coming to the fore amongst a number of the opposition players, Effingham were able to keep their heads and push upfield and by the time the final whistle blew were camped deep in Irish territory and threatening to retake the lead.

All in all, a draw was probably a fair result between two well matched sides and it would be a shame for the players involved if what was easily their best and most committed performance of the season was overshadowed by events on the touchline. The spirit shown by every single boy was outstanding and they should feel justifiably proud of what they achieved yesterday.

 

Lawro

P.S. To all the players yesterday, and Heidi, this one’s for you!

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you;
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or, being lied about, don't deal in lies,
Or, being hated, don't give way to hating,
And yet don't look too good, nor talk too wise;

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with triumph and disaster
And treat those two imposters just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn out tools;

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breath a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: "Hold on";

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with kings - nor lose the common touch;
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you;
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run -
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man my son!

Report by Lawro