Old Millhillians RFC

Result
OM2s v Harpenden 4ths 29-23

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