Doncaster Rugby Club

On the day of Botts’ official retirement as Dragons Captain it was highly appropriate for the lads to record their first victory over Sandal in over 10 years. A decade of disappointment came to an end as the Dragons came from behind to win a 26 – 25 thriller at Castle Park. New Captain Dave Thomas was given a selection nightmare as 23 players turned up to take part in what is regarded as the most difficult fixture of the season. True to the spirit of “Rugby for All” everyone was offered a chance to play their part.

New blood often brings new ideas and Dave made an enthusiastic but unconventional start by suggesting a pre match warm up. Not the usual huddle together with a fag and nip of Scotch from the hip flask, but to actually practice some lineouts and run through some moves in the backs. Alas this was not productive as Walter couldn’t catch a thing, Dave Ramsey refused to put out his cigar and neither Tony Bridgette Jones nor Buster Keeton could come to terms with the idea of having to do some running before the start of the game, let alone during it. Hopefully young Mr Thomas will take note and things will get back to normal very soon.

Sandal started well with the usual suspects taking them to an early lead with a try and a drop goal, yes, a drop goal. But the early exchanges showed that the Dragons were breathing fire and their dominance in the forwards was rewarded with a 21 – 3 half time lead. Ian Dawson managed to find the only player left in Yorkshire whom he hasn’t sold a dummy to and amidst the groans of “Oh no not again” he crashed over from 2 yards. Thomas converted from in front of the posts. Taking the game to Sandal the Dragons scored again when Drew Noble collapsed as he was about to collect a chip over the defence. The ref, who had an excellent game, said Drew was tripped and went under the posts giving a penalty try. Thomas converted. The try of the match was scored when Dawson actually threw a pass out wide, the new captain took a superb line to split the defence and raced away from the ten metre line to dive in the corner. The sight of a fat bloke sprinting away from a group of thin blokes was a delight to see and his successful touchline conversion turned out to be essential.

Playing uphill and into a stiff breeze the Dragons coped manfully with the wave on wave of Sandal attacks that came throughout the second half, Briggette and Gary Malton were exceptional The defence was stretched, battered and eventually broken as Sandal gradually came back into the game. Not surprisingly they took the lead 25 – 21 with 5 minutes of the match remaining. The new captain then played a masterstroke bringing Dean Malton in at scrum-half. With only 2 minutes to go Noble broke from a scrum but was caught a yard short of the line but he slipped a pass for the replacement No 9 to scamper over and claim the winning score.

How good did that beer taste at the evening dinner to celebrate Captain Botts retirement.

Man of the Match – Dave Thomas [Having just scored a drop goal the Sandal fly half taunted our new Captain with “what are you going to do now you fat bastard”. Dave went on to score a beautifully worked try showing the Sandal No 10 a clean pair of heals, kicked 3 of 4 conversions (one from the touchline) and was tireless in defence]

W*nker of the Week – Richie Mallinder [Didn’t play in the match but was the only person to turn up for the evening dinner in fancy dress. We all know that his idea for wearing a toga was to assist the ease and frequency with which he would be able to expose his genitals, and this he did]

Next week (Sat 1^st Oct) the Dragons entertain Sheffield Tigers Vets at Castle Park, 3pm kick off.

Come on The Dragons!!