Dads v Lads rugby

The Dads V Lads Rugby match was bather in beautiful autumnal sunshine and the sight of the fathers warming up was enough to get the temperature positively bubbling. In a first, the fathers started with a Haka !

DADS HAKA 2011
Apologies to Ka Mate and All Black Rugby
Chorus: Timotei Timotei for my grey hair

We are the Dads of Anselm’s 1st Team
See us so fit strong and mean

Watch as we run as fast as a “Fly”?
See as we score another great try

You can’t catch us we pass in a flash
Look out here comes another Ash Splash

With Bandages, Painkillers, Ralgex as well
We may be good but boy do we smell

Come on you boys do what you can
Please just be careful with your own old man!

There then followed a fast paced and often dynamic game with the dads side giving as good as they got. The yet to grey imports from the staff, made a bit of difference in terms of speed and agility but the overall standard was very good. Tries from Mr Berry and Mr Wood for the Dads and from Elliot T (+ a superb touch line conversion from Alex W) meant the half time score was 7-10 to the Dads.

Playing into the sun for a second half the boys kicked the ball a bit more, and stretched the Dad’s defence. Matthew N ran the show with some nimble running and snuck over for a try, Elliot T got a second. This was matched by the Dads who never gave up. Tries from Elliott Woolhouse and Mr Hunter enabled the Dads to go into injury time narrowly ahead. It was only after the boys recycled the ball effectively for a seventh time that the Dad's defence was stretched and Henry T crashed over for a try. With the scores level at 22-22, it was all down to the conversion which Matthew N took calmly inching the boys ahead 24-22. The final whistle went and the boys had just won an epic battle.
Well done to everyone – no injuries and lots of laughs – with a few scores settled too!

Mr Dale ended with a little ode of thanks..

Losing with Grace

We are the Dad’s of Anselm’s 1st Team
We used to be so fit strong and mean

Well played you lads with the vision of the majors
Unfortunately the Dads should have gone to Specsavers

Our timing and passing were all slightly out
Could be related to the on-set of Gout

In our planning sessions we had nothing to fear
Maybe too much whisky, gin and beer?

We had better discipline than the England Team
Mind you most of their antics are reserved for our dreams

Like France / Wales this morning we will look back and sigh
Meanwhile do you mind if the Doc sees my thigh

Come on you lads finish off a great season
Give all this pain a really good reason

Have pride in your shirt and give it your best
Now we are all off to have loads of rest.

Play for each other and we know you can win
I’m off to throw my boots in the bin