Back Row:

L.Biles (Guest), E.Thomas, A.Baldwin, M.Laing, H.Froud,

J.Burrage, J. Knowling, N.Price, O.Brown, W.Britten, C.Price,

J.Packer, P.Crang, H.Stanford-Tuck

Front Row:

L.Clark (Guest), C.Pratt, W.Carew-Gibbs, O.East,

D.Weir (Capt), S. Wildbur, J.Kean

The Hornets 12 vs 42 A.G.S.C.         

Tries: Pratt, Weir x2, Stanford-Tuck x2, Carew-Gibbs, Froud

Con: Price

For a scratch team the Growers looked a well oiled unit, their hands were slick, running lines and support play phenomenal and the team spirit as good as ever.

After an inspirational team talk in the changing rooms by skipper Duncan Weir, the Growers came out firing. The intimidating atmosphere of the well educated tweed jacketed Abbey supporters was no place for those with a nervous disposition. After years of beatings by 6^th formers at Bruton this antagonism was unlikely to effect the Growers. This was perfectly proved by Thommo who shirked off the ‘albino’ chants from behind the posts like water off a ducks back and was later seen on the sidelines in the second half laughing behind a cloud of his own cigarette smoke as his team mates nearly racked up a half century.

During the first 15 minutes the game was evenly matched, but after Pratty went over for the first try the flood gates opened. The second try was reminiscent   of a 1970’s Barbarians side. It was by far the best try ever seen from players in a Growers shirt. Eventually it was finished by Weir but not before it had been through at least 10 sets of hands.

The pack once again were sensational, with Laing and East taking it in turns to run at the defence and Baldwin and Pratt stealing valuable ball. Gibbsy had an exceptional game in the loose earning him the man of the match award, just as Pricey Jnr (the tall good one) had in the line out. Pricey Snr (the tall gay one) was later heard in the Milton Arms describing the forwards as excitingly penetrative and refreshing. No-one was sure if he was talking about their rugby though. Burrage marshalled the pack well from 9 and Pricey Snr had an impressive game with his kicking out of hand making good ground. Centres Paul Crang and Duncan Weir had good games in attack and defence gelling well together (when Weir wasn’t busy dropping the ball). However one back deserves special mention. Hugo Stanford-Tuck becomes the first Apple Grower to score on his debut with his first touch. As his confidence grew he not only ran in another try but then challenged the Milton Abbey no.8 for a fight afterwards. If anyone has the result of that match please feel free to write in a match report.

Hugo Stanford-Tuck’s debut was not the most notable feat of the day. Hugo Froud’s running with his long strides and side steps takes that award. Running with a long stride and a good side step is not a great feat in itself, but when you are able to do whilst wearing a pair of shorts so small you could fold them in a match box it becomes all the more impressive. Impressive in a sporting sense NOT impressive in a bi-curious Nick Price sense.

Thank you everyone for making the effort on Sunday. A special thanks to Footy who made himself available albeit arriving 10minutes into the game in a pair of jeans. It was a fantastic result and the Growers remain unbeaten in 15’s. We hope to see you all in February for the North Dorset game. It falls on a Saturday so the Social Secretary Mark Dunn will be arranging some evening entertainment in the way of Legends nightclub in Gillingham or a Salisbury night out. We wait with excitement for that one Dunner. We hope to have the Salisbury fixture organised soon and the possibility of a Hockey fixture but we will be in touch.

DPW