Andrew Marr, the BBC Political Editor between 2000 and 2005 published a book in 2007 called A History of Modern Britain. It charted the history of the UK from 1945 to the first decade of the new millennium and dealt with social, political, economic and cultural change during this period. Part of the book discusses the change in social attitudes in the 1960's epitomised, he says by the chic style of the mini car, made popular by the number of celebrities who owned and drove one. And the mini has an interesting history of its own. It is included in the Guinness Book of Records for the most number of people who could cram into the car. Apparently the world record is twenty seven, although I guess not many of these would be front row players. And watching Saturday's match in the driving rain it struck me that we should go for a new world record, the most people you can cram into a rugby dug out! At least, the pitch at Monks Lane is nowhere near the state of what used to be the old pitch at Rodney Parade in Newport. The Dragons ex coach Kingsley Jones used to joke that if ever his team won the toss he would always instruct them to attack the deep end in the first half. But the rain didn't dampen any spirits with Blues coming away with a win that was ground out in difficult conditions.

The outcome of the match was close but a three point win is one we'd take any day of the week, with James McAvoy commenting that, "Dan Thorne had the mindset to win it off the kicking tee." The five kicks Dan put over were not easy to slot in the conditions and well done to him for his astute game management. There were other creditable performances and player of the match Dave Barber, new to Blues this year, had an outstanding game. Having now played eighty minutes in all three games, Dave's presence in the second row has supported the power in the scrum and he also put in a monumental defensive effort on the weekend. A shout out too for Christian Collett. He had felt unwell all week but turned up and played a great game physically.

From the kick off, Harry Edwards had an immediate impact on the game and his constant go forward for the whole of the time he was on the pitch was evident to see. Unfortunately three minutes into the game Blues lost the ball and Old Cents ran in to score from the half way line. The conversion was missed so Blues found themselves 5-0 down almost from the kick off. Good pressure from Blues resulted in them being awarded a kickable penalty and Dan Landed the first of his kicks to pull the score back to 3-5 ten minutes in. Once again the scrum looked strong and was beginning to gain the upper hand which was very encouraging so soon into the match. Given the weather, Blues looked quite good when they were running the ball and on one occasion Robin Swann burst through and almost made the line but the ball squirted forward. This led to an attacking scrum five metres out and a fantastic scrum effort pushed back the visitors pack and Will Osborne touched down under the posts. Dan Thorne kicked the conversion to make the score 10-5 and at this point Blues were looking good value for the lead they had built up. Harry Edwards then made a fantastic break down the left but Old Cents cleared the danger, made their way up the pitch and were the beneficiary of a fortuitous bounce of the ball which enabled their outside half to run in from just inside Blues territory. The conversion from wide out was always going to be difficult and so it proved leaving the score at half time 10 points apiece and all to play for.

By the start of the second half the incessant rain had stopped but with a slippery ball, field position was going to remain very important and fifteen minutes into the half both sides had traded penalties and defences were pretty solid. And then a 50/22 by the visitors took them to within striking distance of Blues line. A penalty given away and an attacking lineout later saw Old Cents go over for their third try to take the score to 13-20 with about twenty minutes remaining. Blues were then put under ferocious pressure for what seemed like an eternity and in the shadow of their posts defended their line with huge determination and commitment as the visitors tried to batter they way over through their forwards. However to the relief of all Blues supporters a turnover was won and the danger was cleared. Its quite likely a try at that stage could well have won the match for the visitors but the old adage that defences win matches was there for all to see. Soon after Harry Edwards initiated a great counter ruck that led to a Blues penalty and at last some even greater respite, a lineout just inside Old Cents half. Harry Waye Branch was then put through with the line beckoning, only for the play to be called back as a result of a forward pass to Harry. But momentum seemed to be shifting in Blues favour and then from inside Blues 22 Ben Hurford John collected a loose ball and sprinted virtually the length of the field to score his seventh try in three matches. That is some strike rate and the two Old Cents trying to catch him gave up knowing Ben had the speed to go away from them. This young man from Telford, part of the Army under 23 set up is an outstanding player and is a threat whenever he gets the ball. Dan kicked the conversion and once again the scores were level. Twenty points each going into the last five minutes. Jeopardy in sport. Can't beat it. Coaches always emphasise the importance of restarts and this final one was to prove the undoing of Old Cents. They gave away a penalty from this restart and the kick to touch led to Blues having an attacking lineout. Old Cents then gave away another penalty and this was within range. No kick at goal is easy and whatever the level there is always pressure on the kicker but as has happened so often in the past Dan slotted the kick to take Blues into a three point lead with very little time left on the clock. Time enough though for Old Cents to get back into Blues half only to be thwarted by a turnover effected by Beau Power, who had moved from scrum half to the wing, and Jamie Futcher. This relieved the pressure and Blues found themselves in the visitors half and kept the ball tight for a few phases but then decided to spin it wide, losing the ball in the process. And then the final phase with Old Cents losing the ball heralding the final whistle and a second win on the bounce for Blues.

As always thanks to everyone who turned up at Monks Lane on the weekend, what with the races and the Newbury Show as competition. Thanks also to the players, the back room staff, our sponsors and referee Daniel White. And unashamedly a plug for the quality of the food that is prepared at the club. There was no formal lunch on the weekend but a barbecue, prepared, cooked and served by Loiuse, Edyta and Lewis. Without wishing to go over the top, which I will, the hog roast was up there as the tastiest I have ever eaten. If you are not booked in for a formal lunch I would suggest coming to the club feeling hungry anyway and try out the food on offer in Kickers. You will not be disappointed.

And so onwards and westwards to Thornbury and Hungerford for Blues and Stags respectively on 4th October. If anyone has a mini and fancies giving one of the teams a lift let us know......

Brian Lee