The Trials and Tribulations of Being Human

‘Hard pressed on my right. My center is yielding. Impossible to maneuver. Situation excellent. I am attacking.’ - Ferdinand Foch at the Battle of the Marne, 1914

Men, tomorrows game marks the half way point of the season. Though the course half-travelled may have been short in the grand scheme of things since William Webb Ellis, with his fine disregard for the rules as played in his time, allegedly first took the ball in his arms and ran with it in 1823, it has been a trial that has seen us grow as individuals, as teammates and as a club. Tomorrow we will have faced all our foes and little is left unknown. We have been over difficult ground and may find ourselves tired in body and slow in spirit.

Yes, at times we all mistakes and have felt defeat to our core. We have questioned ourselves, trialed others, at times not made it to the far side of the ruck and even broken plasterboard. We all make mistakes. Even Officers.

Men. Do not succumb to doubt. Doubt cramps strength. To believe is to be strong. Think back to the anticipation of this journey at pre-season. You have gained strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you stopped to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have played through this horror. I can make it on to the next phase.' This is the strongest defiance against what attempts to bring us down in our great game of Rugby Union. The bravest players are surely those who have the clearest vision of what is before them, glory and danger alike, and yet notwithstanding go out to the field to meet it.

We must forever conduct our struggle on the high planes of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our soul to degenerate. Again and again we must rise to the majestic heights of meeting physical force with physical force, skill, endeavour and togetherness
Remember Men, that in any coming moment of darkness, a pat on the back and an earnest handclasp to your fellow player may work a small miracle.

The XV for GHK this week remains reasonably settled. However, Le Breck is back at 10 from centre with Chippy off again on his travels. This experienced campaigner is welcome back at any time to the GHK jersey after fine service during the last couple of weeks. Lets hope he does not get too distracted by Franco’s double screen. After a strong impact from the bench last week Chris Sorlie gets a chance from the off. Competition is fierce at OA and the great McT is unlucky to be on the bench after recent performances but we all know he’ll still deliver.

Padre Dunlop and Assistant Adjutant General Shambilton have unleashed a torrent of training maneuvers on the troops who are duly battle hardened. Lonach!

The Regiment for tomorrows game against Marr at Old Anniesland, 2pm kick-off, is as follows:

15 D ‘Southwell‘ Whyte
14 C ‘Magnus Wolff-Helgesen‘ Sorlie
13 J ‘Horizontal‘ Shannon
12 D ‘Feuerzangenbowle’ Hoffman
11 R ‘Feel Like Makin’ Love
10 C ‘KB OBE’ Breckenridge
9 A ‘Chicken’ Shedden
1 A ‘Punch [no Judy]’ Forbes
2 G ‘AGM’ Reid
3 C ‘My pottery wheel was spinning at 1500rpm and threw off’ McLay
4 A ‘Fresh Demands’ Drummond
5 H ‘Get Well Soon’ Parker
6 E ‘Fagan’s Jumper’ Thow
7 P ‘Some say that he created Sudoku for kicks and can run for 18 hours. All we know is he’s called...’ Broadbent
8 R ‘Go Gadget‘ McCormack

16 M ‘The Prattler’ Tuominen
17 A ‘Microsoft Certified Trainee’ McTavish
18 A ’Flavor Flav‘ Neilson

Theme for the clubhouse extravaganza: Altos

Genuine best wishes and a thick slice of Dundee cake to all Anniesland teams tomorrow.

Yours as always, running towards the gunfire in front row union, ball in hand and making ground, with a Samoan sidestep, handoff and correct presentation. Never beaten, its best Mizuno boot forward and onto the second phase. With thoughts of Ralgex jerseys and opportunities with armpit hair. Crouch. Touch. Pause. Engage. Heart in the fire. Head in the Icebox.

Disco [Cpt.]


Supporting Note: Rumour has it that Major Ken Cowan was seen at training on Tuesday. K.B.O. [ Keep bothering on].

This article was posted on 6-Nov-2009, 12:15 by Hugh Barrow.