| Global warming may well be the talk of the Planet, but it certainly was not evident on the Fylde last Sunday, as your scribe and several others were reminded of bitterly cold, dank, dark November days, the likes of which they experienced, some fifty years ago, at their educational establishment just up the coast.
This time, the Wooden Spoon Anti-Assassins were guests of the Old Kirkhamian Society and were prepared to resist the challenge of the Old Kirkhamian XV for the Bruce Craven Cup. Before the game, a simple ceremony was held in a small garden area, adjacent to the 1st SV pitch, in order to plant a sapling in Bruce’s memory. Memories reminded us of Monsieur Le President, Stewart Faulds, and it was splendid to have his widow, Joan, back with us, restored to better health. What a staunch A-A. she is.
The Headmaster of Kirkham Grammar School, Douglas Walker, an old friend, and his Catering Staff certainly did both sets of supporters proud, with a delightful Buffet Lunch and an excellent post match Supper, both with an elegant supply of drink. Thank you Sir, on all our behalves, both enjoyable and appreciated.
 The touchline was extremely well populated as the match commenced under the beady eye of Andy Dawson from the Manchester Society. The Wooden Spoon A-As took the game to the home side and in the first quarter scored two tries from the forwards, the first by David Robinson and the second from the ever fearsome looking Tim Fourie, both of Sedgeley Park. Dan Eddie, changing his allegiance from Leodensians to Cheltenham converting the latter. Before the interval, two backs, Jack Smales from Newcastle Falcons and James Bramwell, too good a player to be Unattached, scored with Eddie improving Bramwell’s effort. Thus it was 24-0 at half time, a score line which gave no recognition to the O.K’s for their contribution to an entertaining 40 minutes.
Half time and more was taken up moving the Hon. Secretary’s vehicle from a very soft piece of land on to which he had ill advisedly driven to obtain a ‘warmer’ view. Rosemary Woolley enquired whether his ‘Sat.Nav.’ had deposited him there! Thanks are due to ‘The Gang’ including at least one octogenarian, for ensuring the move onto firmer territory.
Returning to the match: the score line had not altered, but it was end to end stuff and, again, the O.K’s were somewhat unfortunate not to have registered at least one score. At the death, Jack Smales made the journey to Kirkham and the chill of the afternoon totally worthwhile by scoring as good a try as will be seen anywhere this season. A solo effort of pure class. Eddie converted, Dawson blew for ‘no side’ and everyone scampered for the warmth and continued conviviality of the O.K’s generous hospitality.
One hopes Bruce Craven, propping up his young tree, would have enjoyed the game, in spite of his side not succeeding in wresting the Cup, bearing his name, from the defiant and, ultimately, worthy victors, the Wooden.Spoon Anti-Assassins.
Thank you to all the players for their time and for turning out to play in this charity game.
Result: Old Kirkhamians 0 Wooden Spoon Anti-Assassins 31
Wooden Spoon Anti-Assassins on the day were:-
Matt Casson - Ex Sedbergh School
Jack Smales - Newcastle Falcons
Ross Winnery - Ex Plymouth Albion
Craig Emmerson - Morley
James Bramwell - Unattached
Dan Eddie - Cheltenham
Mike Cawthorn - Hull Ionians
Martin Whitecombe - Sedgeley Park
Paul Keys - Sedgeley Park
David Robinson - Sedgeley Park
Tim Fourie - Sedgeley Park
David Livesey Sedgeley Park
Phil Griffon - Ex Leeds
Jason Ashcroft - Ex Leeds
|
