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8th March 2010
I wonder if anyone noticed that there was no View from the bar last week? If you are an avid reader , my humble apologies.
Any way enough of that and on to news of the weekend.
Before you get bored of reading on we will start with what’s happening this week:
Tuesday 9thMarch - Bristol Combination Cup Semi Final : Small Club near the village of Henbury ( That’ll be Clifton) V The Mighty Dings Crusaders. This game is being played at the small club near the village of Henbury ( that’ll be Clifton) and Kick off is 7.30PM. Please get yourself along and get behind the lads.
Saturday 12thMarch – Its Black Crash night and also all draught cider at £2.00 a pint. Tickets at £5 but £8 on the door. Please support the club and come along to what last time was a great night.
Sunday 13thMarch – our vets are in action away to Southmead in the quarter finals of the Vets Cup. A huge Dings turnout please at the ‘Mead to see the old boys in to the semi finals. President Floyd is captain. KO is 2.30 PM
Ok back to the weekend:
1stTeam were away at Worthing and suffered a 35 – 7 defeat. 21stBirthday boy Mike Westlake was a late call up, much to the angst of him mum who arranged a surprise 21stparty at the Dings on Saturday night. Adam ‘Chappers’ Chaplin made a substitute appearance – his first genuine appearance. Dave Wheeler made his last appearance before going into hospital for an operation in a delicate area- many have said he is a pain in the a**e! Only joking Dave. So this leaves Chappers as the main choice hooker but rumour has it we will break with tradition and simply buy some one in on a huge wage – its just not worth the risk! We are just jesting Adam! Next Saturday give him you full support – he hasn’t played for the first team at home.
No game for the 2nds as they were resting before their big game at the Small club near the village of Henbury ( that’ll be Clifton). Actually they have been resting quite a bit since Christmas.
So that left the 3rds and 4ths who actually had no game but Mr Fixture (Terry Webb) pulled out the stops and managed to bring Caldicott 2nds and North Bristol 2nds to the hallowed Dings turf. It was a very enjoyable afternoon – we simply mixed up all the lads that came for a game and put out 2 even sides. The A side beat Caldicott 39 -24 and the B’s lost to North Bristol 22 -17.
Sunday was a full day again so here goes with a whirlwind round up:
Under 8’s: Lost to St Brendans – don’t know the score. Very uncharacteristic of our youngest team – normally world beaters!
Under 10’s: Played 3 games, Sharks, and two St Brendan sides – won 2 and lost one. Jack Uren clocked up 4 tries – that’s a jug of Dr Pepper you have to buy young man!
Under 13s played last seasons Somerset County Champions and Land Rover trophy winners, Winscombe. Heavy defeat ? Not a chance. A very respectable 12 – 0 reverse. Well done lads, keep it up.
Under 15’s sadly game abandoned due to serious injury to one of our boys - the great and unique Harry Hawkins. Now you may recall that Harry was the lad who missed his game 3 weeks ago because he overslept. Amazing when you think his dad is the team coach. Last week he was also seen wandering around whilst his team mates were playing. When asked why he wasn’t playing the response was ‘Injured’. Oh dear Harry, what’s wrong? Toothache came the reply! I kid you not. This week though he did suffer a bad neck injury – ambulance job. I am told its bad whiplash and Harry is thankfully back at home. We wish him a speedy recovery.
Under 16’s: A great victory away at Stow on the Wold. 17 -5 to the Dings. This means that the boys move in to the semi finals of the county cup and will play last seasons winners – Hucclecote. Anyone want to own up to taking the wrong turning and going 20 miles in the wrong direction!
No game for the mighty Colts this weekend but watch this space – they could be playing at Home either next Monday or Tuesday night against Cleeve and then on the 21stMarch it’s the big one – quarter finals of the national plate – at home and KO is 2.00 PM. Put this in your diary and lets really get behind this cracking team.
Our guests the Bristol Ladies were in action at home this weekend. The 1sts beat Team Northumbria Ladies 62 -10 to complete the double over them but the 2nds lost for the first time in ages , going down 53 -0 against top of the table Henley Hawks.
So who gets the Heros of the Week?
This weeks hero’s are the Under 16’s who simply knew they had to win to get through to the semi finals of the County cup. Well done lads.
QUIZ TIME:
2 weeks ago we had two questions – one for the seniors and one for the kids:
Josh Lloyd was waiting at the gates to answer the question who has played for all 4 senior sides this season. Of the course the answer is Adam Chaplin although Jerry Quick has threatened to sue as he also has played for all 4 sides this season. We humbly apologise Mr Quick.
Josh also tried to claim the kids question ( anything for a mars bar!) but this one went to Kai Walsh of the Under 10s who correctly answered that Rob Stevens is the only player to have won all the trophies and have his name on every board – some accolade that!. With a bit of help from Brian Rees he also got his nickname which of course was Flash.
This weeks question:
Dave Hilton, our first team assistant coach has played an amazing 42 times for Scotland. How did that happen I hear you ask? – read the And finally section to find out! Anyway like I said he played 42 times for Scotland, made his debut in 1995 against Canada and he scored one international try. But against whom did he score that try? You can have one guess and one guess only – first correct answer wins a mars bar.
Other news:
Congrats to Tim Brockett who made his 2ndEngland Students appearance last week, This time against the Irish Students. A fine 44 to something win and all played in the snow on a plastic pitch. Tim has one more game left this season – away to France.
Talking of France , did anyone notice both Orlando and powerful Pierre were both injured this week – must be a French thing!
Good news for those interested in breaking Brian Winters record appearances for Dings Crusaders. Brian broke his foot playing volleyball against the Bristol Ladies and won’t be able to add to any of his 17756 appearances again this season. Hope for everyone!
No news on the County Cup semi final against Cleeve. A strong rumour is circulating that its could be Tuesday 23rdMarch – watch this space.
Next week:
1sts at home to Southend. This is a tough one for the boys. Huge vocal support required, especially for Chappers!
2nds away at Redruth. Yes that’s right, Redruth. Leaving at 2.00AM and arriving back for the Vets game on Sunday. Enjoy this one boys and remember we beat them at our place.
3rds away to Bristol University
4ths away to St Bernadettes. You will have noticed that the 4ths have slipped off the top of the merit table but not to worry , we have 6 merit table games to go. Bring it home 4ths!
No Colts on Sunday and no Ladies either SO no excuse to get over to the mead and support the Vets.
And Finally,…………………
Dave Hilton has played 42 times for Scotland, making his debut against Canada in 1995 and scored one international try. But just how did Dave get to play for Scotland after living in Lockleaze all of his life? Well it was like this…….
The time was 1995 and the Scottish RFU were having selection. The selectors were Gregor, Hamish and Finlay.
‘Well Hamish, have we got 15?’ asked Gregor
‘Och no Gregor, we are one short and I have rung everyone I can think off’
‘Any ideas Finlay, we are desperate, anyone will do, after all its only Canada we are playing’
‘ Well Gregor, I was chatting to Bill Mclaren the other day and he has just done this programme called ‘ Who do you think you are?. It’s where they trace your ancestory, its quite good and comes up with some surprises’
‘Get to the point Finlay!’
‘ Well he did this piece on a chap called Dave Hilton from Bristol, plays for them apparently. Anyway his great grandmother x17 was the mistress of Robert the Bruce and therefore he is 0.00000000001% Scottish’
‘Great work Finlay – but does he sound Scottish and Bristol isn’t very Scottish sounding is it’
‘ Thought of that as well. We give him Scottish lessons and if that fails we tell everyone he can’t do interviews as he can’t speak. Also I found out he comes from a place called Lockleaze. What we do is change the name to Loch Leaze – no one will ever know!’
Gregor added ‘But he isn’t really Scottish is he?’
‘Och no chance but its play with 14 or 15 against Canada . We should put it to the members and vote.
And so the members voted – the question was to play with 14 or 15 against Canada. If the vote was 15, Dave McHilton was to play. The members voted 1510 – 1505 - the rest is history. A Dings Junior who lived the dream.
And finally finally…..
So the above is made up but this is true ( ok, a little poetic licence has bee used) A few weeks ago the first team were at home and the referee arrived about 11.30 in the morning. On the TV was the build up to the 6 nations and they were running through Scotlands great players. Dave wasn’t on there.
The ref was actually Scottish and I said to him, our coach is an ex international of yours, played 42 times, made his debut against Canada and scored one international try.
The young referee’s face lit up. Here he was thinking he was about to meet his hero’s, Gavin Hastings or maybe Kenny Logan. Who is that he said excitedly?
Dave Hilton I replied.
Momentary silence ensued, the delight dropped from his face and the ultimate of put downs was soon to follow ---------- Who?
Dave Hilton I replied. Played 42 times for Scotland, made his debut against Canada, and scored one international try.
The young Scottish referee simply shook his head and walked off and was last seen ringing his dad back up in Glasgow ‘ Dad, Dave Hilton they said his name was. No dad I haven’t heard of him either.’
The story doesn’t end there either. At the end of the game I saw Dave and mentioned that I had spoken to the Scottish referee.
Dave said ‘ great lad, absolutely great lad, a good Scottish boy’
I then told Dave the story from earlier in the day and that he hadn’t ever heard of Dave and didn’t know that he had played for Scotland 42 times making his debut against Canada and scored one international try.
Momentary silence ensued. ‘Like I said, Great lad, knows nothing about rugby though and terrible referee!’
Just to put it all in perspective, Dave played for the Dings , went on to play for Bristol and Bath and really did play 42 times for Scotland. To play for your country is amazing and just to think it all started at Dings.
Kids – be inspired and start tracing your ancestors!
Have a great week.
Barman
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