24.01.2008
Tries: Noble, Conway 2
Con: Mills 2, Thomas 1
The Dragons extended their winning run to 10 matches with yet another hard fought win. This week the veterans travelled to face Harrogate, a side reformed after a year’s break and keen to re-stake their claim as the best Veterans team in Yorkshire. Judging by Saturdays performance the ‘Gate side have some catching up to do to compete with a very capable Doncaster side that took the game 21 – 10, Noble and Conway scoring the tries with Mills and Thomas adding the extras.
In order to prevent Sgt Conners undertaking his customary Saturday drive to wherever, the Captain decided to accompany him on the outward journey – a decision that proved almost instantly vital as he re-directed one of his few starting backs the right way onto the M18 - in a Northerly direction as opposed to towards Nottingham. I believe a comment went something like “glad you’ve got in here, that would’ve been my first mistake”. Similar comments followed at the M62, A1, A59 etc....
Arriving in good time at Claro Road (20mins before kick off) the Dragons immediately did nothing. Opting instead to wait for the kit to arrive (still in transit with Sgt & Capt) before committing to anything other that a nod to the opposition – jogging about all manly and butch. The ‘Gate boys looked well up for the battle ahead. In contrast the Dragons took their time, did what comes naturally and eventually made it to the pitch in dribs and drabs. The Capt was delighted with the build up, commenting later “I couldn’t have asked more of my players, they took levels of apathy to new heights, unprecedented I’d say”
Lulling the opposition into a false sense of superiority yet again proved decisive – the Dragons never looked like loosing and the final score didn’t really reflect the difference between the sides. Playing on a bog in persistent rain didn’t lend itself to an open game and the decision to have a 10 / 12 combination approaching 38 stone set up a game dominated by the forwards.
The number of Dragons players is consistently high at the moment with 23 making the trip to North Yorkshire – both a blessing and nightmare for the Captain with 7 backs and 15 forwards keen to play. Like true gentlemen and in the spirit of the Dragons, the vast majority of players are willing have part of a game then readily pass their jersey on to the next man. Consequently, team spirit is high and the level of commitment and string of positive results bodes well for the short and long term.
This Saturday the Dragons begin a run of three consecutive home matches versus East Riding, Hull. This is an opportunity for the old boys to play against an open aged side. Often these sorts of matches can prove tricky for the veterans – youth & enthusiasm against bulk & guile.
The Weasel
Ed: Dragons 36 –v- 28 ER Vikings
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