Moles 36 - LAS 19

On a glorious night for rugby, the Moles welcomed Mole Brian Williams’ London Ambulance Service (LAS) outfit to a floodlit Rectory Field. The Moles playing under the first team pitch lights may have raised one or two eyebrows among less ‘Mole-aware’ club members and hence they, unlike the estimated 100+ crowd, missed the opportunity to enjoy a quality mid-week rugby ‘fix’.

As one would expect, with over 5000 employees to draw from across London, the LAS team was strong and in response, the Moles, whose roots are as a group of Mini and Youth ‘Dads and Coaches’ as opposed to being a ‘Vets’ team, were fortunate to have ‘second generation’ Moles support from the likes Terry Papworth (son of ‘Philty’), Connor Martin (son of ‘Heinz (57)’), Lewis Saward (son of Nod), Will Mckee (son of Kev) ‘Ginger George’ Corrigan (son-in-common-law of Mick Terry) and Gary Gray (coached as a youth by Squeeksy et al). Subsequently, a splendid festive fayre of fine rugby was served up to the aforementioned healthy crowd.

Indeed, as the teams assembled before kick-off and the LAS team’s strength became apparent, the cameo appearances initially planned for the group of young ‘Galacticos’ by Moles’ director of rugby Shotgun, evolved somewhat; with Papworth, Gray and Martin joining Saward (creating a half-back pairing with retiring dad Nod) in the starting XV. And, as anticipated, their presence was much welcome as the game kicked off at a pace and ferocity that was a notch or three higher than what the Moles are normally used to.

With the teams looking very even, although LAS enjoying an edge at scrum time, it was the Moles who drew first blood with Papworth, Gray and #8 Gareth Moore combining well on the left which ultimately saw ‘Telthy’ touch down at the Gilham End; a score added to by regular Moles’ full back Brian Rayner’s conversion.

However, the Moles had no time to rest on their laurels as LAS immediately struck back when a flat pass was intercepted by the LAS winger whose draw-dropping pace left four Moley defenders scattered like bowling pins on his way towards the tryline. The quality in the LAS lineup had clearly not been underestimated.

An even encounter continued in open play, but the replacement of Ralph Walpole with Moles’ team skipper Elvis in the front-row, gave LAS a weight advantage in the pack that the Moles simply couldn’t cope with until Ralph’s return and Elvis moving back into second row alongside Will McKee.

Nonetheless, it was Moles who edged ahead again through great vision and exploitation of space by Cabin Boy who was clear to score before floating a pass left for Martin Povey to score between the posts for Ginger George, on for the injured Toks in the centres, to convert. Aside from the Galacticos, Poves was having another storming game for the Moles. Just ask the LAS #5; who was completely flattened on no less than three occasions by Poves’ immensely strong ball carrying.

But in the 'ding-dong' fashion of this, by now, very entertaining game, LAS replied almost instantly hit back capitalizing on a Moles' error with a LAS player picking up a loose ball and sprinting 50 metres to place the ball down between the posts.

With the match now delicately balanced at 14-12, having the lead at the fast-approaching half-time was likely to provide a significant psychological edge. And it was the Moles who were able to retain and extend their advantage by recognizing when they were running out of options on the left, to quickly switch play right; a move which finally saw Gary Gray dive to score in the right hand corner.

Half-Time: Moles 19 LAS 12

While the Moles had now largely sured up a response to LAS dominance in the scrum and enjoyed a 'converted-try' lead, Moley ill-discipline was allowing the LAS back into the game during the opening overs of the second half. Fortunately, the referee, who by no means had a bad game, was not one to indulge the quick penalty at the expense of talking through his decisions with offending players. This clearly frustrated the better players on both teams, but at this time in the game gave the Moles much needed time to set themselves defensively. However, in such an even contest, sustained periods of pressure were likely to see the attacking team come out on top and quick thinking from the LAS’ talented young tighthead prop led to the only ‘forwards’ try of the match; something usually much more familiar in a Moles’ fixture.

With honours now even at 19-all, the even ‘ding-dong’ swing of events returned with the odd ‘niggle’ occurring here and there which was not necessarily a 'nasty' thing in itself; for this writer, more an indication of the passion in this encounter and the matching desire to win being shown by both teams. As would be expected, Velcro wasn’t too far away from such events but that shouldn’t get in the way of a great all-round performance from our off field mild-mannered estate agent. Velcro was a great example of how the Mole Galaticos helped the all the older and comparatively less-able Moleys (at the level of this match anyway) to really raise their game and put in some great shifts on the night.

An unfortunate ankle injury to the Moles’ back row, Sam Holden provided a lengthy enough break in play that arguably helped to take any unnecessary ‘sting’ out of proceedings.

A man-of-the-match performance was perhaps needed in order to turn this match one way or another and it arrived fortunately in the hands of the Mole-of-the-Match, Connor Martin. Although Connor was already having a great game and getting through lots of work on the wing, his step up to making a key difference in the match coincided with his dad Neil ‘Heinz 57’ Martin’s replacement at hooker by then scrum-half, Swanley. Cabin Boy stepped into the #9 berth; a change that may have raised the odd eyebrow here and there. However, Cabin Boy’s communication with fly-half Gary Gray evidently saw a return to the more expansive rugby that the Moles had utilized to such positive effect in the first half. Birthday boy Connor’s pace, step and confidence to back himself saw him run in two good tries in quick succession at the car park end. Further opportunities presented themselves to Connor although cries of ‘jug avoidance’ from some of his fellow Trumpets in that large crowd on the sidelines may have been a wee bit harsh.

Great rugby also led to the final try of the match, which was skillfully converted by Swanley afterwards. Fabulous ball though the hands featuring Will Mckee, Telthy, Grayo, Cabin Boy and Tucker (sharing the other wing duties with Skid) took the ball deep right into the LAS half. From the resulting breakdown, the ball came back left for Telthy to take over the line for his second try of the evening.

LAS continued to take the game to the Moles in an attempt to narrow the gap in points but ultimately, after clock went red, it was left to Matt ‘Predator’ Abbott at full back to find touch and end the game.

Final Score: Moles 36 LAS 19

This had been a great game to play in and watch but most agreed after the match that the LAS were probably too strong an opposition for a ‘regular’ Moles XV and any future fixtures may need to be hosted/fulfilled by another team at GRFC or at least a 'Developing Moles' XV like we saw tonight.

Post-match administration in the player’s bar saw MotM Connor joined up on a chair by Grayo after being presented his long overdue Moles’ tie by Moles chairman Squeeksy and Nod in honour of what he says was his final game for the Moles. Never say, “never”, Jeffrey!

In Elvis’ absence from the starting line-up, Nod had taken on captain’s duties for the toss and so on. Therefore, it seemed right that Nod led the final, post-match “Who are we?” ‘call to arms’ of the night. It started so well, but then there was a pause and then a tumble weed rolled across the first team pitch. After an estimated nigh on 100 appearances for Moles, it seems that Moles hadn’t picked up that the “Who are we?”, “Moles!” call and response goes around three times! However, he did remember the “Let’s get w*nkered” bit and so they did; well as much as you can on a ‘school night’! (Business related to Mole elders’ and Lunch’s match day sartorial misdemeanours will be held over until a future date!!!)

As alluded to throughout this report, this was not a typical Moles’ fixture but nonetheless every Moley played their part in what was most definitely a great team performance. Also, in having so many of the younger Moles playing with the old farts, it is great to know that the Moles have a bright future to look forward to.

Proof once again, if you still need it, that the Moles is something much much more than just a rugby team!

Line Up: Elvis, Heinz (57), Ralph, Velcro, Cabin Boy, Welshy, Lunch, Gareth Moore, Nod, Lewis Saward, Toks, Connor Martin, Skid, Tucker, Predator, Poves, Swanley, Sam Holden, Will McKee, Grayo, Telthy, Ginger George