Moles 61 Kings Cross Steelers III 12

On a glorious day for rugby the Moles welcomed the special club that is Kings Cross Steelers RFC to Rectory Field for the day’s showpiece event out on the 1st XV pitch in front of a decent crowd of injured, broken and retired Moles and one or two Molettes and young ‘Molelings;. Indeed, following Moles’ skipper Shotgun’s efforts during the week, the club was not only able to field the Moles but also a “Swannets” XV out on Banana 2 against RBS featuring Moles Walpole, Holden and Posty.

Eyebrows were raised as a young and fit looking Steelers squad went through their warm up paces at the Gillham End while the Moles wobbled over to the ‘Pigeon Shed’ half of the ground. However, notwithstanding the presence of next-generation Mole minors in Papworth, Rayner A, Bruce G (joining his dad Mark for his first senior game) and ginger Mole step son, Corrigan G, youth and vitality is no match for age an treachery in the wonderful world of rugby. Subsequently the Moles were quick out of the blocks with a physical approach to their game to see them enjoy the lion’s share of early possession.

However, the Steelers defended well and it took a good 10 minutes or so for the Moles to slow their game down and turn the high levels of possession into points. Carl Sells was first over the line at the Gillham with Tucker neatly making the first of a number of conversions during the afternoon. And shortly afterwards, the Sells/Tucker combination was at it again to double the Moles’ lead.

A two score cushion saw the Moles begin to play with confidence and flair. Beginning with the odd pass or two that their team mates could actually catch, Moles even of the low calibre of the likes Elvis, Velcro and Mole-of-the-Match elect Mick Terry, began to surprise the watching masses with audacious displays of offloading in the tackle and generally keep the ball alive as opposed to firmly stuffed up a jumper. Who are the real All Blacks eh?

Neil ‘Heinz’ Martin, only weeks away from his 57th birthday, was putting in yet another great display of speed, agility and white line fever at hooker and his tenacity and commitment was rewarded with two first half tries both of which were expertly hoofed over the crossbar by Tucker.

Back in the black jersey for the first time in a while was 2s, 3s and 4s nutjob and everyone’s favourite Irishman since Wogan rolled a seven: Paddy (Moles’ nicknames are not always cryptic readers!) Receiving the ball while apparently retreating towards his own tryline, Paddy proceeded to carry the ball some 70 metres up the park handing off numerous Steelers on the way for the fun of it to touch down for the Moles’ fifth try of the half. Unfortunately, Steelers pressure meant that Paddy couldn’t make it another straight kick for Tucker Jenken to convert although the winger did come close, hitting the post.

A blow for the Moleys was the loss of skipper Shotgun who had a bit of turn at the bottom of a ruck and needed carrying from the pitch by Nurse Hodges and co. Get well soon Shotgun!

With 33 points in the bag, the Moles old friend ‘Mr Complacency’ laced up his boots to enter the field just as the champagne rugby began to lose its fizz. Some silly passes and failure to ‘protect the egg’ led to the Steelers finding their mojo and scoring two tries in the final overs of the first half.

Half-Time: Moles 33 Steelers 12

With a squad of 22 to find game time for, replacement skipper Elvis himself having to filed all of the aforementioned Mole Minors from paragraph two for the beginning of the second half albeit on the proviso of “if we start taking the pish lads, I’ll have to take youse off”. Needless to say, their inclusion did add the anticipated dimension to the game as predicted, with Rayner, Bruce and Corrigan all finding their way over the tryline and kicking their own conversions in the opening ten minutes or so of the second half.
As the young’uns left the field the game became a more even affair as the Steelers, of whom many are relatively new to rugby, began to build in confidence particularly at the scrum where the Moles had been wholly dominant in the first half.
Acknowledging that the Steelers where becoming more of a threat the Moles put the champagne rugby back in the chiller for another day and reverted to type by keeping the ball tight and working it slowly but surely through the phases. This patient approach paid off for the Moles and a long sequence of possession was finally was taken over the line by Big Bri for the big fella’s umpteenth try of the season.

Final Score: Moles 61 Steelers 12

While it could be reasonably argued that this score flattered the Moles to some degree considering the very talented young’uns that they had available; putting that aside this was a great performance against a team who stuck at it for the whole 80 minutes. The champagne moments aside, the Moleys got the basics consistently right (ish) for most of the afternoon and played as a team as well anyone could remember for some time. Certainly, it was nice to overhear Lord Jim Hill mention how he felt it was like watching the Moles back in the glory days. Some praise indeed.

As mentioned earlier, the Moles’ own DJ and second best plumber (measured by leakage) Mick Terry was a worthy Mole-of-the-match this time but on another glorious day many more are worthy of a mention alongside those already feted above:

Velcro: Can’t think of a time when he had so much ball and either didn’t drop it or knock on. No fighting as well! Well played Sir!

Bobby Butler: Always a pleasure when the big man lines up for the Moleys. A big presence on the pitch. Again, well played old boy!

Neil Miller: Outstanding game at outside half. Hopefully he wasn’t broken and will be available for the final game of the season at
Footscray.

Nod: Always has a good game at 9 for the Moles. One or two nice box kicks today.

PK: Brilliant to see on ‘old Mole’ back on the pitch! Are there any more of you out there?

Lunch: Trademark big hits galore from the Mole’s own Mr Creosote; no doubt drawing the odd wince from the sidelines.

Lloydy: Really making progress at full back. Shut the forwards up by catching one his kicks and nailing the taker of another. Well played that man!

Seriously, something positive could be said about everyone who took the field in the black shirt. If they’re not mentioned here, please be assured reader that they were great too.

And so the fun moved from the pitch to the bar with various Steelers and Moles finding themselves up on a chair and downing a dirty pint for crimes long since forgotten. The beer flowed until well into the night and many a Mole was to be seen limping around Rectory Field or Tunbridge Wells or Westcombe Park the following Sunday morning as they pass on their enthusiasm for the great game of rugby on to another generation; proof once again, If you need it, that the Moles is something much much more than just a rugby team!

P.S. He was out there smiling somewhere on Saturday night  x

Line Up: Elvis, Heinz, Brucey, Big Bri, Shotgun, Velcro, Nurse Hodges, Ork, Bobby Butler, Lunch, Neil Miller, Nod, Mick Terry, Paddy, PK, Tucker, Lloydy, Skid, Aaron Rayner, George Bruce, Ginger George, Terry Papworth