Five possible front row players must have seemed like a blessing indeed from the rugby gods for the Fours at Newbury on Saturday, especially when one of them was the returning Glynn, proudly showing off his new boots. Those very same gods must have been snickering when they also decided to make no recognizable loose forward available. Luckily Matt the Colt at 8, Captain Paul Derby at 6 and cavalry Taff (to be fair, his conversion from centre is almost complete) stepped into the breach to not only defy the rugby gods but also, hopefully, Newbury Stags Bs’ effective back row unit.

With no forward subs, but three spare backs, it looked for a while like one of the speedier backs would have to be dispatched back to Bracknell to get the adult kit rather than what appeared to be the junior colts kit. Either the colts are huge or we are much slimmer than we thought, all managing to fit, just, into the shirts. The day was saved by otherwise absentee manager Graeme turning up in improbably white trainers and proper kit.

Wisely, the warm up was entrusted to Paul Smith, thus ensuring no one was too knackered by the start of the game. Wayeno’s warm up must have been particularly effective as he survived all but the last minute of the game but to be honest we thought the bar was closed otherwise a few more of us might have joined him there.
Ominously, Newbury were running around, passing, shouting and stuff. Though to be fair, so were the Fours backs.

The game is bit of a blur to be honest. Newbury’s scrum was greatly improved on the last time we met and were not the pushover they had been. Smithy and Glynn devised a cunning plan to get the most out cavalry Prop which allowed the Fours scrum to be more competitive.

The Fours lineout never really functioned properly, despite some excellent throwing from Paul (he said) and conceded at least one very soft try.

Newbury had plenty of possession but will probably kick themselves for not scoring a few more tries, but by half time they were well ahead .

In the second half the indomitable Fours fought back and seemed to spend about 15 minutes (and as many scrums) 5 metres out but were unable to score. Unable to score until the ball was finally spun wide to Dave Goad who scored with his first touch. A back got the other try as well- John I think.

Continually spurred on by Paul and Tonks (where does he get the energy?) the Four s were much more combative in the second half.

Surprisingly, and this from someone who spent his fair share of the game flat on his back, the injury count seemed to be in our favour, but it seemed improbable that we were going to grind them down.

Wayneo’s departure saw Dave Goad promoted to the forwards and shortly thereafter, apparently, we had played 80 minutes.

There was a surprisingly jubilant feel to the changing room afterwards: caused not just by the four pint jug and 14 pint glasses. Surprising? Nah, not really.

Jubilant because we had had fun, gone down fighting, played some good rugby, as ever met a bunch of new people (in the Fours that is), and generally had a blast.

And some lovely cakes as well.