Moles 28 London Ambulance Service XV

Moles 28 London Ambulance Service XV 7

On an particularly warm but nonetheless glorious day for rugby, Mole 'Big Bri' Williams brought his rugby playing colleagues from the London Ambulance Service down to Rectory Field for a thoroughly enjoyable social game of rugby.

Skipper Mick Terry had resisted the offers of playing services from the usual cast of thousands to pull together a 21 man squad to ensure that everyone enjoyed plenty of game time and the mood was relaxed and confident amidst the usual 'Deep Heat' haze of the Moles' changing room; augmented today by the motivational sounds of the real Elvis, Neil Diamond, Madness, Ivor Biggun and many more.

The thermometer indicated a balmy 24 degrees centigrade as Rugby League Mole Darren Oram led the squad through a warmer than usual warm up. In fact things got very hot at the routine's finale as 20 middle aged Moles pumped their arms vertically, horizontally and every which way but loose as they continued to run on the spot. Add in the odd builder's hat, some pairs of mirrored sunglasses and an American Indian's head dress and ladies and reader, 'The Village Moles' would have been in business!

After giving Conor Martin a warning for wearing 'Snot Green' coloured football boots when checking the Moles' studs ("Others wouldn't let you off son!") In view of the warm conditions, the referee agreed to split the game into 20 minute quarters to allow water breaks. Good decision! In fact the referee generally had a good afternoon by, without ever compromising player safety, allowing the game to flow despite a plethora of misdemeanours and misunderstandings around the breakdown area.

The first quarter was tight contest seeing both sides competing hard at the set pieces and breakdown. Strong Moles' ball carrying by the likes of Poves and Oaf saw the Moles make gains into the LAS territory. However, the LAS defence held strong time and time again to deny the Moles any reward for their possession. As is often the case when one side enjoys so much posession but fails to convert, first blood was drawn against the run of play. A Moles' kick failed to find touch and was quickly gathered by the LAS full back who then proceeded to sprint 70 or so metres up the hill past several Moley attempts at a tackle, to place the ball down firmly between the posts. A straightforward conversion followed to see the Moles go 0-7 down.

However, a determined spirit prevailed within the Moles' ranks gathered behind the posts, heads chose not to go down and despite the scoreline, the Moles continued their domination of possession for the remainder of the half. Despite some early pressure in the scrum caused by the handy right foot of the LAS hooker, the Moles began dominate proceedings there with their own hooker, Neil Martin enjoying his finest game to date in the front row. Over time the Moles patience was rewarded when Darren Oram ran the ball over the line after some great play by the fresh legs and mind provided by second row replacement Market. Brian Rayner duly converted to draw the score level and commence a fine afternoon kicking at goal. Half Time 7-7.

The second half continued in a similar pattern to the end of the first with the Moles dominating proceedings. However, LAS always posed a threat on the counter attack and loose balls were returned with verve by their try scoring full back, inside centre and openside flanker. Notably resolute for the Moles in defence were Tucker Jenkins, Conor Martin, Oily and Paddy; all making crucial tackles or getting just enough hand or arm in a challenge to slow the attacker down. Such effort is much needed when the likes of former centre half of the round ball persuasion, Moles' prop Elvis, attempting and failing to find touch with a Wimbledon FC style 'hoof'. There's a reason why Elvis is a prop!

As the hot afternoon wore on, it was inevitable that LAS would begin to tire without replacements to inject fresh legs and ideas. The Moles continued to pile the pressure on and forward work right up to the LAS tryline ultimately saw a 5 metre scrum lead to that man Darren Oram scoring his second try of the match; again converted expertly by Brian Rayner.

Now the Moles had the lead it was clear that they were not going to let it go. A number of well controlled phases led by scrum half Merve, saw the ball moving way out left for winger Mick Terry to see that white line beckoning! Alas Mick was prevented from making the scoresheet by a determined LAS defence but the Moles kept the pressure on up the hill to finally see Gareth Moore push over the line. A delightful Rayner conversion from the touchline now saw the Moles with a 21-7 lead as the match entered its final minutes.

The Moles forwards made another sortie up the hill although this time wide on the right. Yet another scrum saw sexagenarian winger Q, in potentially his final Moles game before he becomes an 'overseas player', shouting loudly to take the ball down the blindside. Perhaps it was difficult for Merve to understand Q's William Wallace-esque cries and ball ended up being moved left for Oaf to end another strong day of ball carrying with a try. Final score 28-7.

Many thanks to Big Bri for arranging this enjoyable fixture and the Moles look forward to a return later in the season.

Worthy Mole of the match this time, with a brace of tries and an afternoon effective interplay with fly-half Andy Dadson, was Darren Oram. As Darren left the pitch ,he rightly remarked how much of a team effort the victory had been so it seems appropriate also sweep up the remaining Moles not already mentioned in this report: Carls Sells who continued to show his versatility with a solid performance in the second row, and stalwarts Shotgun, Sam Holden, Brucey and Posty who were all as reliable as ever around the park.

A great start to another season of Moles rugby both on and off the pitch. Allegedly the last Mole standing after the match arrived home at 5am on Sunday morning. Proof once again that the Moles is something much much more than a rugby team.

Line up: Elvis, Neil Martin, Brucey, Oaf, Carl Sells, Gareth Moore, Ork, Sam Holden, Merve, Andy Dadson, Connor Martin, Darren Oram, Shotgun, Tucker Jenkins, Brian Rayner, Poves, Paddy, Market, Oily, Posty, Q, Mick Terry

Special thanks to Lloydy, Peggy and Pete for playing 80 mins for the oppo x