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

Silence the Waverers and the Battle Languor

‘Character is the result of two things: mental attitude and the way we spend our time.’
Elbert Green Hubbard (1856 – 1915) American writer, and influential exponent of the Arts and Crafts movement.

Men, in comparison to the famously hot-blooded standards of our play we have shown a momentary glimpse of enervation.

I have seen first hand, a range of behaviours resulting from the pressures of our campaign which threatens to decrease our efficiency. The most common symptoms are fatigue, slower reaction times, indecision, disconnection from one's surroundings, and inability to prioritize. I promise this reaction is short-term and should not be confused with a long-term quandary.

To argue that our great game, Rugby Union is suffering through want of man-power is one issue: to argue that we are on the verge of exhaustion and therefore should relax our efforts is another issue. Every single man is bound to play for the badge on his chest. It is not right, or thus just, to cloud the issue of our present convenience. The first issue is to be as present and as pressing as if it were the first day of the season. We must all ask ourselves whether we are doing all that we can, and making as much sacrifice as possible. Our line may be thinning but now is the time for real character. This will make the end speedier and more successful. This is this group of honorable gentleman's duty. We should at this stage make a pause and halt, and reinforce our division. Anything else is ignoble surrender.

For long we have been the pilot that has faced the storm, and that our heritage and camaraderie, of which we spoke so proudly in those early days, is a heritage and togetherness whose value cannot be calculated in money, and must be defended to the utmost limit of physical endurance. I do not believe there is the smallest cause for the contention that for a short period of time the comforts, conveniences, and luxuries that we are accustomed to may be placed on hold. The upright man remains always determined to see through that to which he has pledged, and must not be swayed from his determination by the clamour of our foes seeking us to take a backward step.

Men, I trust it will be the maxim of every man at O.A. to support the cause. A pause in our collective efforts would mean that we had abandoned the cause which we declared we would maintain to the end. The end has not yet come, and I trust that no words from this First Man Over the Top, long as his experience has been, will prevail to make the determination of the people less, or to make us hesitate in our duty to the cause until we have tasted victory.

Men, we have the same aims, the same objectives, the same hopes, and the same aspirations.

Are we to simply sit behind the ramparts of O.A? I think not.

Padre Dunlop is wrestling the blue and Assistant Adjutant General Shambilton is on the black.

The Regiment for tomorrow’s game against Trinity Academicals RFC at O.A. 2:30pm kick-off, is as follows:

15 R ‘Plott Hound‘ Stewart

14 R ‘Pudelpointer‘ Johnston
13 A ‘Grand Bleu de Gascogne‘ Shedden
12 S ‘McNab‘ Robertson
11 R ‘Bichon Frise’ Love
10 J ‘Cão de Castro Laboreiro’ Shannon

9 M ‘Bedlington’ Aird
1 A ‘Alano Español’ Forbes

2 G ‘Airedale‘ Reid
3 T ‘Akbash‘ Horton
4 A ‘New Guinea Singing Dog‘ Drummond

5 H ‘Broholmer’ Parker
6 E ‘Elmo’s Dog‘ Thow

7 A ‘Clumber’ Cummings

8 R ‘Moscow Watchdog‘ Shedden

16 C ‘Lay, lady,lay’ McClay [across my big brass bed]
17 R ‘Gull Dong’ McCormack
18 A.N. ‘Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever‘ Other

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. It’s on. More electrical tape needed. Three times round. One phase is not a phase. A parapet is to be hurdled.

Disco [Cpt.]


Supporting Note: Major Ken Cowan shouts very loudly

This article was posted on 19-Mar-2010, 07:51 by Hugh Barrow.