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Second Team Home Page Welcome to the Second Team Home Page
Captain: Patrick Leahy patrick.leahy@acclaro.org.uk
Director of Rugby : Keith Plummer keithplummer@aol.com
Player / Manager : Barry Woodsford baz_subconcious@hotmail.com
Please let us know your availabilty for Saturday. It's easy, just click on the email link, or text us, or call us, or even speak directly to us. So many options!!!!
 LATEST UPDATES -
End of 09/10 Season Round Up
Apologies for the delay in updating the site. We had a mixed run in to the end of the season with some loses blotting an otherwise fantastic season for us. At times this season it seemed we only played certain teams (Kettering and Dunstable) but it has been a good mix of competitive, bruising rugby and fine displays of skills and team work.
It was also gratifiying to see so many squad members supporting the firsts when injuries occur and then have quite a few retain a first team position. The success of the firsts this season could only have been acheived with the dedication of the seconds and thirds.
Player awards this year were:
Player of the Year: Hovis. A fine dedicated display all year. We particularly enjoy the fact that as a full back he cannot kick and therefore runs everything. Especially when he has about seven defenders on him and he is smiling as if it is going to be a breeze to run around them. Made all the more enjoyable when he gets nailed.
Old man of the year: With so many to choose from, it was difficult to decide. Doddsy is always in the running and it is always a joy to listen to Lloydy moan about his hamstrings but the winner goes to Fletch. Despite his girly skipping during warm ups and going around in skin tight tracksuit bottoms, his ability to slot in anywhere from 13 to 15 and give a performance fitting of someone 20 years younger gives us all hope. Furthermore, the fact that he has finally learned to tackle after all these years even resulted in a few first team appearances.
Under the thumb award: The prize for the worst and most unreliable player of the year was fairly easy to award. We have had excuses of needing to go wedding practise, funerals and starting work at 6pm (for a game that kicked off a 2pm) but for going off easter egg shopping with his girlfriend and on another occassion being too hungover, the award goes to Brycey.
Try of the year: There were quite a few to select from. Chris Small and Matt Jackson can lay claim to a number of amazing runs on the wing. Also, who can forget fat Pats run the length of the pitch against Dunstable but try of the year goes to the front row for 2 tries this season. One was the sublime back pass from Dean to Chink opening up a huge whole to give him a simple score and the other against Towcester where all three were involved supporting each other to let Richard Walker and his own gravitational pull score a crucial try to put us in the lead in a very hard game.
Foriegn Import of the year: There were a number of nominations here. Keith Plummer from Cornwall could have nipped it if he played more games. Thierry the terrorist croat would have been a dead cert if he turned up a bit more but he was busy hiding from Russian business men. Glen Beaumont from 'up n'rth' was a favourite to win it but he refused to give up his non-domicile status and was duly excluded. So it boiled down to the two Kiwi's. Dave Jefferies, AKA Barry White, was awarded the honour for brave displays against ex-scot internationals props and dedication to the club by traveling to numerous first team away games to sit on the bench.
Big Girls Blouse award: Ordinarily there would be a any number of players eligible for this award but two people in particular stood out. Marcus Johns and John Snow are two of the tallest, biggest forwards this club (and probably most clubs) have ever seen. Both over 6ft 5in tall, with a little bit of weight training could be monsters on the pitch. Instead, people like Bones and Baz who are a quarter of their size have more of an impact a ruck or with the ball than the two of them put together. John Snow just beating Johnsy to the award because he is a Kiwi and more is expected as result than a sheep shagger from Gloucester.
Step up award: This award is for the player who has come up from the thirds and made most impression on everyone. This year there are a number of people to consider; Sean Wright, who made several apperances for the firsts and been MOM for the 2's too often to count; Andy Sharpe, has slotted into several places in the back line and never let us down; Foggy, who valiantly stayed on the bench against Dunstable and Glen Beaumont, who has played second row and centre with equal talent. The winner though goes to Andy Clare, who came up from the threes and started to play as scrum half, despite never playing in that position before (and we could tell!!)
The Poor Me award: This goes to the player who requires the most pampering, most sympathy and molly-cuddling through out the season. Again, several players names were in the frame; Kev Smith with several groin and knee niggles along with several visits to the psychiatrist; Dean Hendrickson for his bad back (show me a prop without one); Chink (piles); Trigger (where does one start); Dave "I'll just bench" Terry; but the overall winner for two years running goes to Bones. Injuries in the year include broken hand, torn hamstring, sprained ankle, 'did me knee in', had a baby, my job is tough..... we could go on.
Least number of body parts award: Trigger's name was mentioned for lacking a brain until it was pointed out that his abnormally large appendage counted as two body parts. Eddy Hutch was suggested for his lack of height. Wattsy, for his lack of fitness (but that could include a number of people). Also John Snow for his lack of back bone. However, the winner of this award goes to Baz for losing his spleen in a game.
The management would just like to thank all those guys who trained during the year, those who turned up on a Saturday after agreeing to and those who respond to texts and emails within 24 hours of them being sent. To the rest of you the management would just like to say #@$! you.
Next season we hope to build on the success of this one. We would like to welcome Graham Holbrook who is joining the coaching staff and a few more people have agreed to help out keeping the teams going. We hope to have more fluidity between the 2's and 3's and to get a fourth team out with a bit more regularity. Pre-season training starts soon and there is football on a Tuesday and Thursday night at club at the moment.
23rd March -
It would seem our title hopes are over. Having failed to raise a side to go to Stuarts and lloyds, we could not afford any more mistakes. However, a stubborn BBOB's refused to yield and losing 5-0 there virtually hands the merit table title to Kettering. We travel up there this Saturday on the bus. We had a good trip back from BBOB's and we will make it a longer one this Saturday to round off the season. Get your passes for a big night out.
Please get to training on Thursday for a second team sesssion (last one of the season) and let's finish on a high. We will have awards and court in Kettering RFC.
6th March -
Great win against Old Dunstablians, 61 - 0, Report to follow
22nd February -
Another win, and I'm sure you will all be pleased to here that the Peterborough Full Back is fine and out of hospital. We have a tough run in to the end of the season with 6 league games in a row, 5 of the away. Don't forget the Poker Night on the 6th March and we will squeeze in a bus trip or two as we don't seem to have had any this year. We are in the Pool this week with a possible game against Old Scounts
14th February
A good win against Towcester and a tough game against Peterborough coming up. There will be a second team training session on Thursday. Keep the evening free and get down to the club.
3rd February
Despite losing, those that managed to stay on the pitch enjoyed their game last Saturday. Another friendly this weekend and then the second half of the league starts again.
Our next away game is Towcester. Please keep your diary free and we will take the mini-bus for a pub crawl back followed by smudges Birthday party in the club.
Also, the club needs volunteers for the big mini's tournament on the 7th March. Please let one of us know if you are able to help.
16th January
2nds Beat Daventry 69 - 17
Kettering away this week, lets get training, at least on Tuesday and Thursday.
14th January - Some of the league table results have been updated. For some reason, two of our games haven't been. Adding these in (lost to Peterborough and a win against Dunstablians) we are on 30 points, third in the league with a game in hand. All to play for. We are hoping that the Indian Summer forecast for tomorrow and Saturday will thaw the snow and give us our first game since 5th December. A Win on Saturday could mean the game the following week against Kettering will be a top of the table clash. Please make every effort to get to training so that you are all as slime and fit as your captain and Glyn Dodd.
21th December - Another weekend and another team pull out. In fairness, if Market Harborough hadn't cried off, the pitch would have unplayable. Enjoy your Christmas and new year. We have a tough few league games coming up, starting on the 9th January. We will hold a 2nd team training night on Thursday 7th January to get you all back into the habit of playing rugby. Keith will run the backs training and Patrick will organise the forwards before coming together for a team run. It has been a long time since we trained never mind played a match. Please keep the evening free.
12th December - We are all cheesed off ! As once again our opposition cry off. At least it gave us the opportunity to see some of our squad members playing a part in the First Team's brilliant 68 - 3 victory over Salisbury. Well done to Trout, Mike Durose and Sean Wright.
Market Harborough at home this week, and Panto on Sunday !
30th November - A quite weekend for the 2's last weekend. Luton 2's were again too afraid to play us, opting instead to play some lesser side from Leicester. This weekend we travel to Oundle to play their firsts and have a chance to make amends for the loss we incurred at the start of the season. Don't forget the Quiz night this Friday. As we are all professional in our approach to every game, the management expect all those selected for the seconds to abstain from drinking at the quiz. However, if you must have a drink, then you are to ensure that you also visit the wine bar and end up in Pink Punters until 8am because we all know one plays best after a massive session.
Also, please keep the 12th December free. Our annual Christmas booze up will happen then. Wellingborough away on the bus; a stop off in all the pubs on the way back (ie the one in Bozeat) followed by drinking games in the club. As you all know we are the drinking boat champions and the first team have already challenged us. Alex George has agreed to make a comeback for this. Tash for Cash; Chistmas Jumpers and other ideas have been mentioned also.
22nd November - Victory over Milton Keynes, Well Done !
Thanks to everyone who helped to run the 2nd Team Gentlemens Evening, a great success. Special thanks goes to Hovis, who organised the event.
 James Hannah, delivering rolls for the Gentlemans Evening.
Mike Durose is having women troubles. Check out the News of the World website for full details. Click here and scroll down
 Plum and Doddsy discuss tactics for this weeks League clash -
 26th October - We had our first league loss of the season. All good things must come to an end. Travelling to Peterborough is never easy, so let's pick our selfs up and get going again. We are still in the strongest position in the league!!! (for now). 13thOctober - The 'Gentlemens Evening' task force has been set up. Glyn Dodd, James Hannah, Scott Filler and Mike Durose are in charge of sorting the evening. James has sourced a couple of options for entertainment and between them they will be handing out duties to everyone else. If you have played 3 games for the 2's this season then you are considered part of the squad and must assist them in whatever required.
5th October - Great win against Wellingborough. League game next Saturday. Please make every effort to train on Thursday. After training there is a meeting (briefly) to discuss and agree duties for the social we have to organise.
30th Sept - Luton, according to Cherry, are too scared to play us and have now pulled now. (I'm sure there's more to it than that). In any case, we are taking that as a home walk over and the O2's continue their winning streak and remain the only team to win on the new pitches.
Anyway, we are in the pool and Cherry has a couple of options already so we will have a game. 28th Sept - The proposed format for the Second's event on the 14th November is:
8.00 pm Drink Casino. No betting but you are put on tables like a Poker evening and play drinking games.
9.00 pm Pornaoke. Like Karaoke but you fill in the sounds and effects of classic 70's porn movies
9.30 pm Comedian
10.30pm The main act of lovely ladies batting eyelids and flashing their ankles.
Everybody will be given tickets to sell (at least 5 each). Other duties will be assigned, which include Setting up the club; Running the Bar; Orgainsing the Drinking Games and Pornaoke; Taking tickets at the door; Cleaning up the next morning; keeping the first team back from the women.
Everyone is expected to attend and will be required to buy a ticket (at half price).
SCOTT FILLERS TOE
 September 15th - Two games in and two good performances. Attendance at training is also very good. Please make every effort to keep this up!!!
September 12th - Excellent win against Ampthill ! Well done !
September 09 - The season has now started. For those of you unfortunate not to make pre-season training, now is the time to brush off the cob webs from the boots. Saturday 5th Sept is the non-stop game and the our first game of the season. As the non-stop is only 10 minutes per player, we are going to ask all the second players to participate. Consider it your warm up. As it is the first game and all three teams are at home, please make every effort to stay down the club and have a few beers. Perhaps we will challenge the others to another boat race. We are the reigning champions afterall.
August 09 - The leagues and fixtures are now up. Please make special note of the following dates to keep the evening free and get passes from your women:
There are also other events being organised by other teams and sections of the club. See the dates on posters in the club.
The O2's have the task of organising a Gentleman's evening on the 14th November. This means the 2's squad and not Paddy and Plummer. Posh James Nicholas has suggested an evening of wearing smoking jackets, cigars, port and playing Billiards. Chappy has asked for it to be over by 7.30pm as he needs to get home. Kev Smith (if not playing for the firsts) and Jarvey have already booked front row seats.
Paddy and Keith will be handing out duties to organise the night and make it a success. No excuses allowed. You have been warned!!!!
July 09 - The Second team, with the assistance of a couple of older retirees, entered a team last weekend in the clubs Sevens competition. The team met punctually between 10am and 12.30pm (10 minutes after the end of the second match). The team surveyed the opposition and agreed that our targets for the competition was not to allow anyone put 50 points on us and to make it to a final. As a collection of finely tuned athletes this seemed a possible but stretching target and we could now focus on the business of day.
 Reservoir Dogs
Our first game was against RuckShop. We decided that we would tire them out by making them run the entire length of the pitch scoring tries in the first half. This almost proved a successful strategy because in the second half, with some key substitutions, we fought back only losing out by one try. After consulting our rules, we noted that the last try scorer wins. 1-0 for the Olney Old Boys. Great tackles from Mynard, with his full stretch tap tackles kept out Ruckshop, eventual Semi-Finalists. However a heavy price was paid as Mynard was unable to play in the rest of the tournament as he left half his skin on the hard pitch.
Next up came Glovers Lovers. Paddy went to Glovers 'Rizla' tent to check out the opposition. Having had a nice chat and a glass of champagne he returned with a new recruit, Ben, who normally plays for the Ath. Given that half our team were yet to turn up, we decide to overlook this major imperfection and allowed him to play.
 Ben charges through Glovers Lovers
This game started lively and for at least a whole minute the Old Boys looked in the game. However a few errors in defense let Glovers Lovers through for some easy tries. Just before half time, Thierry, the croat terrorist, turned up. He came on and made some strong runs sending the Lovers running for cover, set up Chris Jarvis for a couple of tries and then went home again. Last try scrorer was the Old Boys, therefore winning again 12 - 28. Glovers Lovers also made it to the Semi - Final, proving what a tough group this was turning out to be.
Next up came eventual Finalists, Black Knights. Having lost Thierry, Ian Bennett turned up. Only one hour late. It's not like he has anything else to do! Nevertheless he played well, showing some lovely side steps for an lock. Black Knights proved to be a different class from the other teams, running in 38 points only to lose again to the Old Boys by letting Barry Woodsford score a great team effort in the corner just before full-time. MVP, Chris Jarvis, claimed afterwards that he would have scored more if he wasn't so distracted by the blonde female referree.
Finally Glyn Dodd turned up. Only two hours late and only forgiven because his good lady brought beers and pizza, which went down well just before our final pool game against 3Shires Glazing. This was a grudge match as 3Shires had some players who would normally turn out for the O2's but had given the Ol Boys the cold shoulder for this tournament.
The game ebbed and flowed between the two sides. Great defence from Lawrence O'Connor and strong running Sean Heatley kept the Old Boys just in the lead. Sean had a chance to seal the game by passing the ball out to Chris Jarvis and Patrick Leahy, both of whom are considerably faster and were in the clear. However, Sean opted for the dummy pass to create the gap. 25 years ago, Sean would have been through this gap and under the posts before you could say "a second row shouldn't be doing that". However, time has not been good to Sean and he was easily taken out by Dave Hurley of all people.
3Shires scored in the second half and looked to be on course for a famous victory when Glyn Dodd got the ball. Ian Bennett, interviewed later said: "I couldn't believe it. Lloyd and I were amazed!! Glyn Dodd running. I mean actually running. I thought, if he keeps going we'll win this"
Opposition member and traitor, Mike Durose added: "a'right mate. I, likkke, saw Glyn starting to run and thought 'ee'll never make it. But, likkke, 'ee brokke a tackkkkle, like and thought 'ees goin' to do it. But, likkke, I 'ad seeeeen 'is shorts and thought, likkke, there too high up to keep running that far. I thought I'd help 'im stay up. I tried but, likkke, e's such a fat git."
 Bennett shocked at Dodd running Durose struggles to keep Dodd upright Glyn plea's "Keep me up"
Alas, Glyn's high shorts, old legs and poor co-ordination meant he eventual fell down and let down his side. As 3Shires were last to score, the came of victors by 3 points and the Old Boys had made it into the wooden spoon competition, first prize a case of lager!!!
For the Semi-Final the Old Boys fielded their strongest team to date. Made stronger by the fact that Lloyd Warne and John went over to the opposition as they were short a couple of players. Patrick Leahy opened the scores with a brilliant individual try from the base of scrum, picking up and darting to the blind side eventually scoring under the posts, which he then converted. As each day passes, the distance the scrum was from the line gets further and the more men he had to run past to score the try. The Old Boys ran in a number of tries after that, none of which were of much interest.
 Barry, too afraid of Lloyd, kicks instead.
In the Final, we faced a fellow beer drinking, pizza/burger eating sevens team. However, their younger legs made the difference and ran in two tries to zero. It was a fantastic day, which went on into the evening. As this writer left, the wives were still in their fold away chairs polishing off yet another bottle of red and the Old Boys were sharing jugs of beer and discussing the finer points of how the club should be run and who should be on the firsts.
June 09 - The playing committee are asking all teams (and sections) to organise one social event throughout the year. A great idea and the two's will put on a good one I am sure. Please speak to Paddy/Plums about any ideas you have. Suggestions received to date are: Gentlemen's evening; Stripper Night; Naked Women Evening and Poetry Reading (Lloyd Warne). More to follow......
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