Vets Put on Rugby Evening Class

With a strong squad and a full fixture list the old boys have set out to blow away the cobwebs and, so far, the approach seems to be paying dividends.

Friday night’s victory against Winchester at Penns Place maintained the squad’s 100% winning start to the season and sets the team up nicely for their next match, against the ‘auld enemy’, Alton.

The evening was perfect for rugby and the assembled supporters were not disappointed as both teams played their part in a very enjoyable match. Whilst Field finished the game as convincing winners the action on the pitch was not as one-sided as the score suggests and Winchester had their fair share of possession and territory.

In truth, Field should have scored more tries in the first half; on a number of occasions the attack got in behind the Winchester defence only for the quality of final ball to let the move down. However, six tries to one in the first half and three unopposed in the second is a record that many teams would find it hard to emulate.

In an example to much younger teams, Field’s players worked tirelessly throughout the game to provide support in both attack and defence. Field shaded the battle of the packs with a very assured scrum and lineout but the real difference was the fire power provided by the backs.

With pace to burn, albeit with perhaps a shorter fuse than they would have had in earlier years, and a surprisingly high level of fitness, the three-quarters worked hard from beginning to end. Once again, this was an object lesson in off the ball movement in support of an attack, with looping runs distracting the defence and creating multiple options.

At times it was difficult to reconcile the quality of rugby on display with the fact that Field’s Vets are essentially a scratch side. However, the decades of experience on the pitch and the excellent communication throughout the game more than made up for the irregularity of their meetings. A few yards may have been lost in pace, but there has been no diminution in skill.

The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness may soon turn to bleak mid-winter but rugby like this will stir the blood and keep us warm; long may it continue.