London 1 south, a small celebration (rugby)

London 1 south, a small celebration (rugby)

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Derek Smith

Original Poster:

45,728 posts

249 months

Saturday 19th November 2016
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Lat season we were fifth in the table after our worst start in my memory.

Ten matches in and we've just had our first win. Only against the bottom of the division, but we had 85% of territory and 75% possession. Our scrum was dominant.

It's a hard life in the lower levels of rugby, but a positive.

I wanted to share it with anyone who's in despair over their team.

I feel remarkably positive.


Derek Smith

Original Poster:

45,728 posts

249 months

Sunday 20th November 2016
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I've just been editing the video.

The other side scored a try to bring them level and it was a disappointment. On the small screen it seemed as if the runner, who scored, was in front of the kicker. What made me check was that the post try chat from the captain obviously included a 'I know, but forget it' aspect.

On the video it is clear that the player was over two metres in front of the kicker. Yet instead of moaning, the players scored a try within two minutes.

Our side is very young, although there's some experience, so it was a promising attitude.


Derek Smith

Original Poster:

45,728 posts

249 months

Saturday 26th November 2016
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The Mad Monk said:
Will you be coming up to Cobham on jan 28th?
Yes. Want to meet up?

I'll be videoing the match.

Good match for our lads. They are learning with each match. It is such a shame that our experienced players are unavailable for various reasons.

Derek

Derek Smith

Original Poster:

45,728 posts

249 months

Sunday 27th November 2016
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Kermit power said:
Slightly off topic, but I reckon Derek might know the answer, so I'll ask here anyway...

How on earth does promotion and relegation work once you get into the regional/national crossover points?

Possibly the best example at the moment is National 2 North, which I would assume more or less covers the same region as National 3 Midlands and National 3 North.

As I understand it, at the end of the season, the bottom three teams will be relegated "to their respective regions", but at the moment, two of the bottom three teams are in Yorkshire, and the third in Lancashire, so presumably would naturally all fit in National 3 North.

At the same time, in theory, you could get two teams promoted from National 3 Midlands at the end of the season, and just one from National 3 North, so what happens the following season? How do they balance the numbers out? Would you potentially see Sheffield or Preston Grasshoppers playing in National 3 Midlands because there's no room in National 3 North? Seems a little unfair on the side having to travel much further for all their away matches!
Don't run away with the idea I know anything about rugby. However, much as I regret to say, relegation might be of interest to my team this season.

The RFU spend hours, I'm told, yeah, hours, working out the various commutations. There will be the odd one or two teams that don't end up in their optimum league but overall the arrangements are OK. A previous team my lad played for was in a National League and they went from Devon and Cornwall, via Lydney (which had its players pinched by Welsh scavengers), to Derby (that's near Scotland), we would have gone to the Isle of Thanet if they'd had any decent teams, and then onto Guernsey. We were on the south coast. So coach hire was a major cost to the team.

Lower down teams can be moved from league to league. We played one team one season and the following one we played them pre season as they#d moved leagues. I don't know why.

Down our way, London is the big stabilising force. We plays teams north of the river, out to Dover and over to the Solent.

Derek Smith

Original Poster:

45,728 posts

249 months

Saturday 3rd December 2016
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16:17 down at about 81 mins against a team in the top four. We are pressing on their 5m line. A fiercely fought ruck and the touch judge signals offside. Ref acknowledges, nods, apparently in agreement, and allows play to go on. The ball is recylced and another ruck at the same distance, but this time virtually in the centre of the pitch. The touch judge signals offside. Ref acknowledges it and allows play to go on.

I've got the video, both times there was more than one player offside in my opinion.

Ball is recycled and the ref blows up on the next ruck, reason unclear, but against us. Kick into touch from the penalty.

Luck, if that's the word, doesn't go with you when you are struggling at the bottom.

I normally go over to the ref after each match and say well played. If I'd gone this time my mouth would have run away with me. I hope he feels the slight.

What's the word that means gutted but a lot more so?