Bad Day for Washing Machines

Anyone with no knowledge of rugby or the the people who play this sport would look in from the outside and shake their heads in disbelief and wonder how that could be an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. Yet I'd say that almost to a man no one regretted the effort they made to get there on Saturday and it almost never happened. It's been a match that's been more off and on with changes to dates KO times with discussions about league regulations, the spirit of rugby and thoughts on hows and whys old men continue to lace up the boots every week. It was with huge question marks hanging over the game that the team took one last rueful glance at the near perfect pitches of Horsham before setting off for Hove.

As we trained and warmed up on the better of the two pitches whilst we awaited the arrival and decision of the referee it was apparent many of the Horsham faithful were still mentally sitting in their Christmas position in front of the TV and wondering what crazy sequence of events had conspired to have them on this pitch on this day. Things were going to get worse. In a bizarre turn of events the Hove 2's vs Rye referee had deemed their pitch unplayable and had commandeered ours. As we viewed the paddy field we were now on many of the old timers reflected that this pitch was in fact fine and as long as the ref blew the whistle if a ruck occurred in any of the ponds it would be perfect. When our ref did finally appear it was old school stoicism whilst standing in the sheeting rain that this was the sensible way to proceed.

Unsurprisingly the game started in the way that most of the game would be played with the ball and numerous players sliding and skidding through mud and puddles but with a slope behind them Horsham began to apply a degree of pressure, fielding a clearance kick Nick White proved that all the hours spent in the gym over the Christmas period were worth it when after a 10 metre slide he sprang to his feet then after bamboozling the opposition smashed his way over the line. Or it could have been a push over try from a well taken line out, I couldn't see I had mud in my eyes. Anyway good to have you back Fubar! A further try was added that half by Joey Walker who impersonated Spider-man's sticky hands by collecting a fizzed pass off his laces before sliding over for the second score.

The second half started with Hove's best period of pressure and some ferocious scrummaging resulted in a well deserved try. Further scores were added by myself and Ricky Tobin with mine a pick and dive over whilst Ricky's involved some work to finish off which gave us the result of 7-27.

Joe Emson was declared MOTM over a beer and pasta whilst a few heads were nodded sagely over the performances of Sam, Ricky, Fish, James and Al who'd already run a 5k park run that morning.

My final words are saved for Hove, for not only playing the match but the manor in which it was played. Nick and his team are a credit to their club. For Horsham I need to mention Arizona and Al, Al who had traveled from Southampton and Dan who's outdone him by catching a train from Plymouth at 6am in order to make the game , I'm sure others made sacrifices to and that's what we need for the rest of the season.

Next week we travel to Bognor and I'd ask you all before putting down your availability to consider the efforts some are making to help make sure we get all three sides out. Here's to more smiling muddy faces at Bognor next week!

Rob Clegg