Windsor Vet’s Match Report

The Weybridge Owls kicked off the start to the season with their annual visit to the Windsor Vet’s rugby tournament.
The Owls travelled with a strong squad, probably the strongest we have had at the tournament in previous years, with a well balanced side:

Mike Archer
Spud
Phil Demson
Kev Keaney.
Chris Ayling
Mark Willet
Paul Hollingshead
James Crosby
Julian Steggles
Mike Latimer
Al Burge
Gareth Owen
Rod Murchison
Ben Hunt
Brian Coppinger
Jack Short
Mark Sugrue
Danny McDermott
Johnny Basson
Huw Thomas
Nick Alsop VMOT

Vandals had in their re-arranged opening group Ealing and Windsor.

Vandals had the perfect start, seeing off Ealing with a very comfortable win, 5 tries to 1.
Paul Hollingshead opening the scoring with a nice, well worked, drive on the line. Nick Alsop then followed with two tries, finally Doctor Danny and Vandals foreign overseas player, Brian Copppinger saw off Ealing, adding two more nails to Ealing’s coffin. Ealing snuck in a late conciliation try at the end.
It was during this fixture that Phil Demsen made is 2min cameo appearance, it was an Oscar performance “Me Lud”, and he should be congratulated for it.
(Hope the calf heals up soon mate, need you back fit)

After a short break, in the heat, Windsor were rolled out in the next group game. Weybridge could be forgiven for feeling slightly over confident after seeing off a strong Ealing side so well, but maybe it was a step to far to leave the likes of ‘Steggs’ on the bench??
Skipper Latimer was resolute and stood his ground over his selection policy with many abject pleas from the lower ranks of the squad.
But this was a master stroke and the resting of players and good management of rolling subs allowed Vandals to cruise through to a 5 tries to nil victory, with Jack Short, Nick Alsop , Danny McDermot, Johnny Basson and Huw Thomas all crossing the line. Another top draw performance.
Vandal’s lineout, scrum and driving maul was ever evident, showing complete mastery of all these facets. A pleasure to behold.
The only incident to mar this “copy book” performance was Coppinger’s attempt to keep the ball in play, with what can simply at best be a called, a ‘Gay’ outstretched lunge with his arms and botty!

Vandals having won their group comfortably had now qualified for the Cup Final knockout stage.
But due to 3 teams dropping out of the tournament, this knockout stage was to take the form of yet another group play off.
This included the other group victors Richmond and Esher, all nicely softened up and waiting to be hit by their old sparing partner Vandals.
This group was a real clash of the Titans!

Vandals started well against Richmond, keeping them held back in their own half for the first 10 minutes with little, if any, possession. But with an ever depleted subs bench through growing injuries and Richmond superior numbers and experience, they slowly took hold of the game to end as Victors. Vandals did score a well worked driving maul try through Julian Steggles in the last minutes of the came. A nice cheeky slap in the face for Richmond, a good spirited performance by Vandals, who where in the end, slightly out of their depth.

Vandals had now played a total of 90 minutes of tough, hard, rugby (the only way they know). There last game, may have been a game too far. Another 30 minutes of rugby with the boys from Hersham…. Esher.
Vandals stuck well to the challenge and only managed to leak a couple of tries to Esher. But a second half rally and some well work lineout and driving maul saw Julian Steggles cross the line yet again , to see Vandals get on the score board. It was a gutsy, good spirited, all round performance from Vandals. But not enough to win

This was a tough day of rugby which saw Vandals pushed in all areas. Their front row of Archer, Spud, Willet and Keaney was tireless, with no added support from the bench, the pack worked hard and we were dominant in all set piece. The backs tackled and took the game to every team, with a Man of the Tournament performance from Nick Alsop.

Also thanks to Mark Sugrue for helping out Windsor, hope the shoulder is on the mend. I was seriously aching on Sunday hopefully no one picked up anything to serious.
But well done guys, a top day, great to see so many of you there, with families in toe. What Vandals is all about. Not sure it’s such a great comp with Richmond and Esher wading in, but their you go. Rest up and see you in a couple of weeks.

Cheers
Latz