On Sunday 20^th November 2011 at 1045hrs Thunderer Squadron RFC arrived at Wide Lane Sports Complex, Eastleigh for their first match of the 2011/12 Intra Mural campaign against Archers Road. With many problems leading up to the match Manager/Coach/Captain, Mr Nathan Moorey, had been constantly supported by his two Assistants, Ocdt Ieuan Robinson and Capt James Harryman, in putting a team together to mount a challenge on the title. By 1100hrs it was clear the team’s chances were in jeopardy as only 11 players had arrived, with the impending arrival of Ocdt John Wright and Ocdt John Coffey to boost the numbers to a lowly 13. The loss of talismanic veteran Capt Harryman to an ankle injury could prove to undo the Thunderer team. By 1115hrs Ocdt John Wright had arrived and the team had begun to warm up.

By 1145hrs it was clear that another absence was going to ruin the two team’s chances of playing a game of rugby, the referee. Unfortunately, it came to light after the match had begun that the scheduled referee had returned home to deal with issues regarding his family, we wish them all the best. Luckily for the players an Archers Road player stepped up to take part as the man with the whistle.

At 1200hrs the game KO with 15-man Archers Road receiving the Kick off.

The game started well for Thunderer with some good passages of play marked with good rucking and good commitment from the forwards. Thunderer got their first score of the day through some good forwards rucking and doggedness to the silky feet of Robinson who skipped over the line, unfortunately the extras were not added by Robinson. Following the first try Thunderer looked strong, setting camp in the opposition half only to fail at the last hurdle on many occasions. With roughly 20 minutes remaining of the first half Ocdt John Coffey arrived to boost Thunderer numbers to it’s all time high of 13. Thunderer then got another score, this time in the corner from good hands and a sprint to the line from Ocdt Daniel Phillips, Robinson could not add the extra points. It stood at 10-0 with 13-man Thunderer controlling the game, although scrappy and riddled with mistakes Thunderer looked comfortable with Archers Road offering little in the form of attack. With 30 minutes gone things took a bad turn for Thunderer as the speed assured by Ocdt Wright was removed as he hobbled off with, what we later found out to be, possible broken ribs. We wish him a speedy recovery. With only 5 minutes remaining of the half Moorey pounded over the line for a well taken try after some fantastic commitment from all Thunderer players. 12-man Thunderer now led 15-0 heading into the half time break.

At half time Thunderer received some rousing words from sideline fanatics Capt Condon (photographer and inspirer) and Capt Harryman. The message was simple: keep rucking, keep the intensity but play with accuracy.

The second half began much the same as the first as Ocdt Benjamin Woodcock sprinting down the touchline to put down a well taken try, this time Robinson added the points. With forwards Ocdt James Dykes, Ocdt Finn Kavanagh Williamson and Ocdt Mike Thompson playing with courage, determination and pure strength Thunderer controlled the game through the forwards. Ocdt Dykes putting in some fantastic carries past the gain line. Ocdt Samuel Homer was having a blinding game on what was his first ever rugby match. The confidence he possessed in picking up the ball and taking command was similar to that of a seasoned rugby maestro. Unfortunately things then started to turn away from Thunderer, with the change of referee. Archers Road now started to camp in Thunderer’s 22 and it was only the defensive work of Ocdt Wilyman and the defensive control of Ocdt Burt that stopped the Archers pack from trundling over. Thunderer soon recovered with a series of fantastic offloads by Wilyman and Robinson followed by successful carries by Dykes ending in Robinson touching down. Robinson added the points. With Thunderer now dominating the scoreline Archers pressed on hard but Thunderer’s defence held strong and Robinson launched a counter attack, skipped through many and scored once again. The military boys were now camped in the opposition half with Williams coming up with the goods in the rucks. Wilyman was showing to be a real menace to Archers when it came to clearing out and Burt was commanding the breakdown with devastating efficiency. The next try came when Burt passed out to Dykes who crashed up, he then supplied quick ball to Robinson who passed to Coffey. Thunderer were now in the opposition 22 and pushing forward. Burt passed for a crash ball to Kavanagh Williamson who gained more yards. Then Burt supplied Moorey on the 5 metre for him to selfishly power over for his second try. This time the points were added. With the score now standing at 41-0, Thunderer pressed on. Having received the kick off the squadron representatives pushed on. Robinson once again tiptoed through the defence from the opposition 10 metre line and kindly supplied Thompson for his try. This time Thompson added the points. Thunderer knew that with only 8 minutes remaining the game was theirs. However, safe in this knowledge they did not hold back and after some swish hands from the backs Woodcock received the ball on the half way and sprinted half the pitch, through 4 attempted tackles with long bounding strides to touch down in the corner. The final whistle sounded and a 53-0 victory went to the 12-man Thunderer team. The win culminated in the kindness of the opposition captain, Peter Allen, approaching the team to offer his thanks for showing grace, sportsmanship and for a great game. Thunderer Squadron RFC now look forward to their next match against Atomic Sums at 1200hrs on the 4^th December 2011.

I would like to take the time to thank all the supporters that came along, notably SLt Kelday, Capt Condon and Capt Harryman as well as all of their other halves who came to help support us. 

Thunderer Squadron                             53- 0                            Archers Road

Tries:   Robinson (‘2, ’51, ’60)

            Phillips (‘9)

            Moorey (’35, ’66)

            Woodcock (’43,

            Thompson (’72)

Conversion: Robinson (’43, ’51, ’66)

                    Thompson (‘72)  

1)      Ocdt Dykes

2)      Ocdt Thompson

3)      Mid Homer

4)      Mr Williams

5)      Ocdt Kavanagh Williamson

6)      Ocdt Wilyman

9)   Ocdt Burt

10) Ocdt Robinson

11) Ocdt Woodcock

12) (6&7) Mr Moorey ©

13) Ocdt Wright (injured 30)

14) Ocdt Phillips

15) Ocdt Coffey