Vigo’s second string continued their improvement with an excellent win away at their close rivals, Old Gravesendians. On the infamous ‘banana’ pitch, Vigo battled to a win even though reduced to thirteen men at one stage as tempers got heated in the latter stages of a match, well refereed by that old poacher-turned-gamekeeper, John Foreman.
Vigo’s pack was outstanding throughout the match in most phases, it is probably fair to say. Equally, it is fair to say, that their hard work was generally wasted as the threes, equally as hamstrung through unavailability as the senior side, were rather profligate with their share of the ball. Crabbed running lines and poor passing meant that much of the pack’s hard work was spoilt. Having said that, the threes’ defence, when called upon, was excellent and they never stopped working to add a finishing edge to their game. Dan Ackary, at stand off, probed constantly but Old Gravesendians, to their credit defended stoutly. Darren Cox, taking time off from a constant commentary on the game, World Affairs and general trivia, opened the scoring for Vigo after being driven over the line by the rest of his pack after he himself had broken strongly from the back of a scrum. Darren continued to bring his experience to bear, even though discombobulated by an Old G’s line out call which was his wife’s mobile number. Bob Fitton added the conversion as Vigo turned round to kick up the slope after having kicked up the slope in the first half. Well, I did say it was a banana pitch.
Anyway, Vigo continued to press in the second half. Dave Wiltshire was held up on the line and even his renowned squealing failed to persuade the Old G’s defenders to release him so that he could finish the job. Cox butchered the chance to add to the score, obviously exhausted by his tribute to the late, great Bill McLaren. Obviously they will not be dancing down at the Sun Hill nick after Darren’s effort! As the game wore on Vigo became ever more frustrated in their efforts to wrap up the match, chances going begging and Old G’s sniffing at the possibility of an unlikely result before Vigo wrapped up the match through an unlikely source. Pete Hayward, in a welcome return after injury scored his first try of the season after great work by Ackary, who, though stopped in the tackle, managed to hold the ball up long enough for Pete to get there and crash over the line. Fitton eased over the conversion to give Vigo ample breathing space. Old G’s fought back gallantly and only a desperate last ditch tackle by Wiltshire and Fitton, combined age nearer to the century mark, prevented a try for the home side. The fact that these two venerable players still had the energy and resolve to make such a last ditch tackle speaks volumes for the spirit of this second team. And speaking volumes....Darren was still at it, offering all and sundry his opinions on the game, the players and probably trying to ascertain how Old G’s knew his wife’s mobile number.
Colin Luck made a short appearance from the bench, making a welcome return equally to the fray after a mid winter break, and was aghast to receive a yellow card after a in depth discussion with an opponent about the vagaries of the British Justice system. As this discussion was annotated by examples of the ill discipline evinced by the Nation’ youth, he was offered the chance of a ten minute spell in neutral territory to cogitate upon the efficacy of his debating prowess. Soon to be followed by the doughty Bart Holden, even though he was probably more sinned against than for. But , notwithstanding the thinning of Vigo’s ranks, they held on for a worthy win.
Team: R.Fitton; M.Gregory, I.Horner, D.Wiltshire, S.Hurdle; D.Ackary, G.Langdon; P.Hayward, A.Edwards, J.Miles (rep: B.Holden); C.Nightingale (rep: C.Luck),M.Lingham: S.Christmas, S.Andrews; D Cox
Man of the Match: A fine all round team performance with Darren Cox persuading the MoM panel of judges of his worth, with notable contributions by Gareth Langdon and Dan Ackary. Apparently, the decision not to award the MoM trophy to Doctor Sam was the biggest miscarriage of justice since Josef Mengele was struck off. Well, according to Doctor Sam, that is. |
