GHK News - The View from the First Man Over the Top


The Potentially Drastic Effects of Human Biometeorology

‘On the fields of friendly strife are sown the seed that on other days and other fields will bear the fruits of victory’. - General Douglas MacArthur

Men, in our days of playing Union in the wet and wintry weather of OA at this time of the year, you may at times wonder why we are doing drills in a gym hall or on the ladies pitches. That, like everything else in our great game has a definite purpose. That purpose is instant obedience to orders and to create and maintain constant alertness. This must be bred into every player no matter his position or standing. Men we must be alert at all times if we wish to climb higher. If not, some other team will sneak up behind and pass us by as we enjoy the comfort of staring at our bootlaces.

At OA we are Men who live, eat and drink, train and play as a team. The individual hero here has no place. Every single man plays a vital role. Every man has his job to do and must do it. What if the Physio took one look at The Prince’s ankles, turned yellow and jumped headlong in the bandage cupboard? What if every man thought, "Someone else will get to that breakdown". Where would we be now? Where would our teammates, our great club, or even the world, be? Winter sessions negate weakness.

Men, there will be one thing you can say when you’ve hung up your boots and handed your jersey to the next chosen man in line. Forty years from now, when you're sitting next to an open fire with your grandson on your knee and he asks you what you did when you were a young man. You will be able to shift him to the other knee, give a little cough, and say, "I never hung out of a ruck."

The XV for GHK this week sees the return of some notable perfomers. McT and Sorlie are unavailable and A. ‘Stan’ Neilson is unlucky not to be in the starting XV. We await his imminent return. Marc Taylor injects some spice to the wing and Matt Horner is alongside the V.C in a potent centre partnership. The pack remains settled but there’s some real impact on the bench to back up the Men in the inevitable trenches.

Padre Dunlop and Assistant Adjutant General Shambilton have braved the conditions and assembled officers ready to travel.

The Regiment for tomorrows game away to Lenzie, 12pm kick-off due to International, is as follows:

15 D ‘Stag‘ Whyte
14 M. ‘The Claw’ Taylor
13 M. ‘Brass’ Horner
12 D ‘Abgeschieden’ Hoffman
11 R ‘What the World Needs Now is’ Love (Sweet Love)
10 J ‘Fresh Choice for You‘ Shannon
9 A ‘Still Raining. Hide in the’ Shedden
1 A ‘Mooncats and Wranglers’ Forbes
2 G ‘Dropped’ Reid
3 C ‘McCassius’ McLay
4 A ‘Letterbox Peeker’ Drummond
5 H ‘I love Danny’ Parker
6 E ‘There Will be a Revolt if This Man is Dropped’ Thow
7 P ‘Some say that his breath smells of magnesium and his rugby boots are cleaned by Chuck Norris . All we know is he’s called...’ Broadbent
8 R ‘Catherine‘ McCormack

16 M. ‘Frasier’ Kelsey
17 M. ‘Up Top. Down Under’ Borthwick
18 C ‘Tarriiim’ Breckenridge

Theme: ER

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

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. Always look to the left in a photograph.

Disco [Cpt.]


Supporting Note: Major Ken Cowan was at home in the gym hall this week delivering a parcel of sore abs. As you were.

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This article was posted on 27-Nov-2009, 11:27 by Hugh Barrow.