Upper Clapton Ex A 57 – Datchworth III 5

On a cold damp miserable day the Extra A gathered at the club in dribs and drabs with half the team still missing 20 minutes before kick off.

With the news that several regulars were unavailable, Sprolly, Kenty, Lobbo due to injury and the Captain, Mr Potato abandoning his team to take the Mrs on a dirty weekend (a most terrible crime made worse by the news that his seduction routine included a rendition of "I only have eyes for you". It will be dealt with at the end of season), the mood in the dressing room was subdued to say the least.

Then with a laugh and a smile the ray of light known as Mr David 'Vern' Chinn-Shaw breezed into the changing rooms and immediately lifted everyone's spirit. His own spirits increased after learning of his position on the wing he rapidly changed and danced gaily on to the pitch to join the rest of his team mates with words of support and encouragement.

Unfortunately these words didn't sink in for the first 15 minutes as the Clapton game was below par, with knock ons, crap passes and running round like headless chickens. Only the magnificent boot of the replacement fly half Gary Akers, pinging the ball effortlessly into Datchworth territory, shone through the mediocrity.

Then a 30 yard gallop from the man mountain known as Massive Mike, leaving the Datchworth defenders sprawling in his wake bought the first points of the afternoon which was converted to give the Extra A, a 7 point lead and galvanised the team into starting to play.

On 25 minutes, more galloping charges from Big Kev and Massive (leaving the young opposition fullback wishing he'd stayed at home to play with his transformers), a deft chip by Barks and 2 tries from Gary Akers and 1 from Barks and the halftime score was 26-5.

More of the same in the second half with ball being flung about as the extra A's ran in another 5 tries from Stalley, Shrek Jnr, Barks, Big Kev and Damo.

With Vern departing 10 mins into the second half with more words of encouragement that didn't quite reach the ears of his team mates, but confused the watching hordes as he seemed to be talking about stuffing a Potato with something, perhaps he was planning his valentines dinner for his Mrs?

Man of the Match went to Sam Young'un for a faultless display at fullback.