In Jamie ‘needs no 2nd introduction’ Monaghan’s last match the scene was set perfectly. Losing 22-23 with 30 seconds on the clock remaining against our most famous opponents(as if you don’t need reminding!!!!), our dimunitive winger Alan received the ball in our own half, out run 4 or 5 inbreds and released our superlative Phillipe to score under the post. It was fitting that Monners’ last action in a Mabulla shirt was to slot over the conversion. THe final whistle went and Monners led the chants. I will try, with immense difficulty, to understate Monners’ immense contribution but I know I will fail miserably in this department.

I don’t need to remind you that Harpenden represent the perfect pantomine baddie opposition. This rivalry has brewed up over three seasons when I led a ringer-laden team to Harpenden in February 2009 and we were brutally sent packing tail between our legs to North West London. In October 2009, we stole a victory at their place, courtesy of Mark Derbyshire’s aging carcass getting in the way of everything and a home team capitulation in the last 10 minutes when we scored 4 tries. That match remains my 2nd personal favourite rugby event of all time as it represented the turning point of the season with immensely out of body performances from Grunty, Maytham, Stan et al (no prizes for guessing what my favourite was – read below). Our third match was the Sam R and Kadji show with our biggest ever win and our fourth was that never to be forgotten afternoon in Tring with the Mabullas being shouted at top volume!!!

So Harpenden came to Headstone Lane looking for revenge. They had ditched their usual black shirts for some newly designed red and black efforts. They wanted to camouflage OM blood on them. I believe Noyan’s haemoglobin and plasma has duly contributed to raising their laundry bill.

The spectators added to the atmosphere. Especially Ben Alderton and Marquis De Byrshire. Fantastic club people, I can’t wait for them to be on the pitch. Ben, an early season candidate for player of the year is Mabulla through and through and epitomises everything good about this team. Marquis’s medical history has been well described in previous match reports.

The game. Both sides trading tries(I must confess – I did not see who scored ours in the 1st half) but it was 15-15 at half time. Monners reverting to his well known healthy exchange of ideas with the referree-He nearly got carded when we went up to play them in our first encounter. He has a well documented lively relationship with officialdom.

Then Lee Margolis, who saves his tries for certain opposition, received a pass from Max and scored a carbon copy of his first try against Fullerians. ie he caught the ball and went over in the corner. A try apiece followed then Harpenden had a penalty kick with 2 minutes left. We were all thinking and praying that history would repeat itself as in the final last year when they missed a kickable penalty in sudden death extra time. However, unfortunately for us, a different outcome ensued with Harpenden 23-22 up with 2 minutes left.

That is, until the hands of Alan and Phillipe RH intervened to send the great Monners to South Korea in the greatest possible style!!!

WE LOVE YOU MONNERS

2nd XV away to Hackney

Played at Tring RFC 24^th April 2010

After an extremely successful first season in the merit table for the 2nd’s where we ended up 3rd; we had glided our way to the plate final of our merit table. It was a hot day, arguably the hottest of the year so far and the ground was lacking moisture and grass in many places.
We had played and beaten Harpenden twice in the league. The away game had ended up being comfortable after a tight first half. The home game had seen the debuts of Sam Rosenkranz and Kachi Nwokenna who had too much pace and freedom on the outside running out comfortable winners. Harpenden had anticipated a similar side but got a side boasting many of the season’s regular faces. The Harpenden side were a big unit and carried a lot of experience and muscle.
1)      Ben “Nashy” Nash
2)      Panni Theodorou
3)      Philippe Hadjisymeou
4)      Jonno Harris
5)      Martin Coupe-King
6)      Paul Wylie
7)      David “Woody” Wood
8)      Phil  “Grunty” Smith
9)      Rob Seger
10)   Jamie “Monners” Monaghan (Capt)
11)   David Cohen
12)   Greg Walsh
13)   Ollie Wetzig
14)   Jes Graves
15)   Max Coupe-King
16)   Seb Jacobs
17)   Ralph Murdock
18)   Gideon “Gidders” Felton (Team Manager)
The game started brightly with Jes Graves scoring in the corner following good work at the break down. The conversion was missed by Monners for a 5-0 lead. The half remained tight and the Harpenden forwards worked their way up the pitch to score and also convert their try for a 7-5 lead. With what proved to be the slope the OM’s worked their way back up the pitch and put themselves back in a good position with a line out on the 22. With what has become the backs trademark X ball Monners ghosted through the defence and with a trademark step was in under the posts. The OM’s were playing the better rugby and Monners set Panni up with what surely should have been a try but his desire to get closer to the posts saw him held up when he was clean over the line. Fortunately we had another chance and the backs again worked the ball wide and used simple hands to allow Max to score under the posts and with the conversion over a 19-7 lead was looking promising. Just before half time the OM’s took their foot off the gas slightly and allowed Harpenden to score a similar try to their first with their big back row muscling over in the corner.  The OM’s had a few more chances to extend their lead further but the Harpenden defence stood firm and we couldn’t quite break through. At half time it stood 19-12.
The second half saw Harpenden use their size and the slight slope advantage to good effect and there was much hard defending to be done by the OM’s who looked like they were going to hold out until only five minutes from the end of normal time they again used their weight advantage in certain areas to score and the conversion was good. The score 19 – 19. There were a few nervy moments in the last few minutes but the  final whistle went and it was a draw.
The organiser came to the pitch and it was agreed following a consultation of the rules of the tournament that two ten minute periods of extra time would be played. This was not being relished by some on the OM’s side but most were chomping at the bit ready to put the older Harpenden side to the sword or so they thought. By this time the banter on the touchline was increasing and some of the supporters were feeling left out and started to have their own beef with each other while the game started for the extra 20 minutes.
In the first period and with the slope the OM’s looked to dominate and there were a number of chances squandered before Ollie Wetzig burst through the defence and ran clean through and under the posts from the half way line. Monners slotted the conversion and the 7 point advantage was theirs again. 26 – 19. The second period of extra time started and again Harpenden looked to use the slope the pattern of normal time seemed to be repeating itself.  The forwards were having to work extremely hard and there were some immense performances from all of them during the final period of extra time. Despite the heroic efforts to clear ground Harpenden again scored and the conversion was good to bring the scores level once more 26 – 26. The OM’s held on until the end of extra time and by this time the touchline had been witness to some genuinely funny moments with Rob Seger keen to make some comments to those in the Harpenden supporters group including a suggestion that they had not attended school to a Harpenden supporter who was in fact a headmaster!
Once more the discussions with the ref and the two captains were heated as it was decided after some rude interruptions from a Harpenden coach who had also quietly suggested to Monners that we call it a draw and get to the bar. At this suggestion Monners realised that perhaps they were suffering more than us although with some walking wounded we were not looking too sprightly ourselves after 100 minutes of rugby on a concrete pitch in 24 degree heat. He turned down the offer and thought this is our chance. One final team talk and we were into two ten minute periods of sudden death! First score wins any method.
The first period saw the OM’s going down hill surely this was our chance to clinch a famous victory. Despite the pressure on their line we could not break them down. A series of penalties just out of range for a penalty shot were used to get us close and to have a few line outs to perhaps clinch the game. The scrum were tiring and the line outs were lost and they cleared their lines. Following a good attack from the base of the scrum with Paul Wylie and Seb Jacobs involved Philippe went over to score with Mr Jacobs running onto the pitch screaming with joy but alas it was a knock on!
The second period of sudden death began, following a brief attempt by Gidders to get back on the pitch when water was brought on, and Harpenden were quick to get down to the OM’s 22. After some resilient defence the refs whistle blew for a penalty. Definitely in range and not too hard a kick. With heads down the OM’s returned to under their posts. It was like the dark days of Italia 90 penalties England vs. Germany; many of us couldn’t bear to watch it was surely over. The young Harpenden fly half struck the ball but had he sliced it ……..yes it was wide! Thank the rugby gods!
From the drop out the Harpenden side came back again. With 2 minutes to go the forwards stole a line and Monners cleared up field and the bounce took the ball a long way into their 22. An awesome chase from Seb Jacobs and Greg Walsh saw the full back slice the ball into touch. Was this the opportunity we needed. The lineout was won and a couple of phases played out before the ball came to Max there was a glimpse of space and as he had done all season he knew what he needed to do sprint for the corner. The defence was absent and the victory was ours. Never had a victory felt so good after 118 minutes of rugby we had won.
This was a fitting finale to a great season; to win in such a way typified everything that has been great about the squad this year. Everyone played their hearts out and the victory and the manner of the win was indicative of the friendships and camaraderie that had formed over the season. Thanks to all the supporters who came to the games throughout the season and particularly our 1st XV captain Kieran Walsh  and Doc Webster who came and watched the final and a number of other games.

Well done boys – Mabulla!

A great weekend for the club on the field with both teams winning.

Check out Mark Derbyshire’s photostream on flickr for a visual flavour of the 2nd’s great win against Verulamiums:  Marks Pictures

The 1st’s had their first league win of the season (and indeed their first competitive win for some time). Whilst it was an incredibly satisfying result, there are many area’s we need to develop. We really ought to have beaten our oppo by more (their scores came from our mistakes, certainely not from their brilliance and creativity) andif we can execute a more structured attacking game planv we really can start to string some results together. Our defence was excellent and has really developed in recent games which is extremely satisfying.

Another very satisfying aspectof our game was our personal discipline – MH were a niggly and unpleasant side and we did not lower ourselves to their level (apart from a nice early cheap shot by Kempy). Additionally some outstanding individual performances – notably from Barry, Crofty, Ben K, Mouse and Angus allowed us to get the win. Rob Hime also did a fantastic job at 9, stepping up superbly after a first minute injury set-back for Gravesy.

It is also very exciting to see a very high level of competition developing for places, particularly amongst the back five forwards and really gives us cause to believe we can really achieve something special this year and build a really strong team going forwards.

Our next competitive 1st XV fixture is a cup match away against Harrow on 7th Nov.

Please let me know your availability this weekend ASAP and we will arrange a friendly (ideally at home) if there are enough interested parties.

Well done boys, lets keep it going.

Cheers,
Kieran

Despite the hardships of the season, the accomplishments have been immense; The u21s have competed in the Cronk-Cunis tournament, players from that team such as Tobi Aputa, Tom Shilling, his brother Will, Mark Montague, Charlie Vicary, Luke Williams and James Prentice have played for the first team; With the help and encouragement of Greame Taylor, the on feild leadership of Jamie Monyahan, and the slightly mental man -management of Gideon Felton the club has given birth to a successfull, inclusive and hugely enjoyable 2nd team, which has also developed and contributed players to the first team- such as Gideon himself, Mike Evans, Mark Derbyshire, Simon Evans, Max Coupe-King, his Dad Martin, Ben Wallice, Sam Taylor, Josh Fresco, and Mike Colley. Without doubt the most promising and significant development of the season has to be for the first time in many years a regular and very successful u19s team. The Relf family have done a fantastic service to the club- Georgette and John have a wealth of experience in rugby administration, and Pascal is a top bloke, a solid leader and motivator, and a pretty bloody good scrum half. Without their work, this would not have happened and the results speak for themselves; the most successful post war school 1stxv were able to continue their unbeaten season with support from their mates in the 2nds and 3rds, and go on to defeat convincingly the likes of Tabbard and Ealing. Many of those boys played a very influential role in the OMs 2nds season as well, such as Will Wright, Dimitri, and Guy Shull, and of course Pascal has played with great distinction for the 1st s.

This week a combined 1/2xv travels away to Abbotstonians, details to follow, next week we hope to play a 1stxv game and a 2ndxv game at HSL. The following week, the 25th April, is the biggest date in the club calendar; all the OMs rugby teams assemble at Headstone Lane for our giant festival of OMs rugby; the u19s, the u21s, the 2nd xv, the 1st xv and an OM legends team all gather to salute the retirement from the game of the irreplaceable David Kelly, who thumped the sh*t out of opposition backlines for three decades in a chocolate and white shirt. There will be food, beer, music and tons of rugby- don’t miss it!

Saturday was also my last game as skipper of the 1st team, I have done it for the last 3 seasons and now am very happy to hand over to Keiran Walsh, who I know will do a fantastic job, and won’t let anyone down- he never has on the pitch. All the best Keiran, our club and our first team have a big bright future ahead. Cheers all, Ben.

This first team to play west London is as follows;
Ben Nash,Chris Denholme, Kieran Walsh, Lea Headges, Mark Derbyshire, Jez Church, Duncan Beckman, Sean Goh, Ralph Murduck, Deniz Tannay, Grant Amos, Jimmy Walsh Mark Montague, Jonny Tucker, Mike Evans, Jamie Adler, James Mason, Max Cooper King, Nick Abel, Jay.

The Second team is;

Dimitri, Gideon, Joe Cousins, Martin Cooper King, Martin Burke, Simon Evans, Alex Merody, Phil Smith, Stan Noel, Jamie Monahan, Maythan Akbar, Luke Pottinger, Greg Walsh, Sam Taylor, Will Wright, Steve Ford, Dan Bedford.

The Seconds have now gone three games without a loss, and play Ashley Robinsons team for the second time the year in a rematch of “The Greatest Rugby Match Played In The World, Ever”. We wish them luck, and also the firsts in their game. The 1st team meet at 1.30 at London Marathon Playing Feilds, Birbeck Ave, Greenford UB6 8LT, The 2nds meet at 1.15 at Headstone Lane. DON’T BE LATE!!!

The key to the match was good work in the rucks. We were playing good phases and creating plenty of opportunities for the backs.

Luke, at centre, was making hard yards throughout the game and was man of the match. Every time he had ball in hand he lifted the whole team and regularly penetrated the opposition-He had a hand in most tries and linked well with Ollie Wetzig. It is really hard to believe that this is only his 3rd game of rugby. The return of Will Wright will give me a selection headache as Luke and Ollie were a bit of a dream ticket.

Ollie Wetzig, the other centre, started the ball rolling with the first try-His livewire personality typifies what this team is about-He played with a sense of adventure and never stopped smiling all match. His generosity of spirit earned him ‘Champagne moment’

The peerless Fran Morris captained the side in Simon’s absence and needs no description.

Alex Merody was potent and had his best match in the chocolate. He plays in a similar style to Mike Evans and will get on the scoresheet. Its hard to tell those two apart sometimes.

A special mention must go to Phil Smith. Forced out of his usual role at number 8, he had to play fly half. His intelligent reading of the game was rewarded when he beat two players to score a magnificent try under the posts.

Max CK at 15 was pacey and scored several tries. He will be rewarded with first team promotion soon.

As for the pack, We had a solid scrum with Dmitri at 1 and Joe Cousins at 3. Joe has only had his 2nd game of rugby and will be a major asset. Gideon built on last weeks performance at hooker and may have created another role for himself there. At no time did the scrum feel unsafe.

Our 2nd rows Martin and Guy were supportive in all phases of the game and were well rewarded with well taken tries. Our lineouts improved as well.

As for goalkicks, Gideon’s 20 year history as a goalkeeper stood him in good stead when he landed three conversions-1 off the post.

SODAM(Science and Overseas Developmental Administration) were a very sporting side and played in the right spirit. They were several players short and we loaned them Sean Goh, Stan Noel, and Maytham to even up the sides. New friendships were made with this team and will be celebrated next season.

We are shaping up well in this team-We can develop players for 1st team action but still maintain our uniquely unorthodox, eccentric and cavalier identity. You all know the team song ALWAYS LOOK ON THE BRIGHT SIDE OF LIFE and our team chant MABULLA MABULLA MABULLA