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

Dogged Zeal and Relentless Ambition

“Keep away from those who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you believe that you too can become great.” Mark Twain [Samuel Langhorne Clemens] 1835–1910 Author, humourist, friend to presidents, artists and European royalty.

Men. Yesterday, as your humble scribe of this weekly colloquium sat in Carriage B of the Pendolino as it traversed the west coat main line of island, he was challenged to the core. I trust this bretheren will allow me to unburden this with you all this morning.

Due to the advancement Man has made in the last forty years, and despite moving at a speed of around 125 mph, your scribe was able to pick up an electronic mail reply on the trains ‘’Wireless Local Area Network’ from a former academic mentor which simply read:

‘The work listed by Al for week 3 is a little ambitious’

I’m sure you will all agree that this is a gauntlet indeed. For Men, it is not the gadfly who counts; not the weak man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the man of action could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually on the field of our great game, Rugby Union, whose face is veiled by mud and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings. We Men of O.A. inherently know the great pride, the great devotion, the deep camaraderie and the worthiness of our Clubs cause. It is for these reasons that we know that this campaign will end in triumph of high achievement and great daring deed. Men, our place is on the tracks northwards and shall never be with those weak and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.

Therefore, as we take to the field of play tomorrow and seek to claim the prized possession of a raw bladder, fresh from the butcher's hands and enclosed in a leather case, let us respond to Academia’s challenge above and, as J.F.Finlay did at Raeburn Place on 27th March 1871, get away well with the ball and sprint towards the line at hundred yards speed. Here we may also meet Osborne, his arms folded across his chest, and if encountered we shall run full tilt at him, after the fashion and ambition of a bull charging at a gate.

The Prince has trenchfoot following the trip to the Granite City last week and shall be resting in the Jim Donald Bar [the Bridge is closed]. No other Officer shall be isolated in salute. As such, 18 Men again stand together for our journeys next step.

Padre Dunlop is running up a large bill with the V.M.A.R.S and Assistant Adjutant General Shambilton has positioned the Bowman C4I.

The Regiment for tomorrow’s game against Forrester at O.A, 2pm kick-off, is as follows: 



15 D ‘Lee Byrne‘ Whyte

14 C ‘Ralla’ Sorlie

13 J ‘Ricky Flutey’ Lynch

12 D ‘The German Roberts’ Hoffman

11 R ‘Monye’ Love
10 J ‘Jones’ Shannon

9 A ‘Phillips Bike‘ Shedden

1 A ‘Jenkins’ Forbes

2 G ‘Sean Edwards’ Reid

3 T ‘Powellee’ Horton

4 A ‘Hines’ Drummond

5 H ‘O’Connell’ Parker

6 A ‘Nugget’ Cummings

7 M ‘Worsley’ Borthwick
8 R ‘Heaslip’ McCormack



16 C ‘Darn and bother, the bench is covered in’ McLay

17 C ‘Sultan Kosen’ Birkmeier

18 M ‘Pingping’ Aird

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, mon frere. Take one for the columbarium-fanciers. Thames Rowing Club. Like the leader of a buffalo stampede. Never tippex your face.

Disco [Cpt.]


Supporting Note: Major Ken Cowan still maintains the ageing Larkspur radio system, is more flexible, reliable and far lighter. Technological advances of Clansman mean nothing to the Major this week.
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This article was originally posted on 29-Jan-2010, 07:55 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 29-Jan-2010, 07:57.