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

 

Approved by the Mayor’s Office

 

“I'm gonna wait till the midnight hour

That's when my love comes tumbling down

I'm gonna wait till the midnight hour

When there's no one else around

I'm gonna take you girl and hold you

And do all the things I told you

In the midnight hour

Yes I am

Ooh yes I am…[Horn solo]…”

 

Wilson Pickett (1941 –2006), American songwriter whose songs frequently crossed over to the US Billboard Hot 100





 

Men, this week I wish to avert our gaze from the battle and reflect on another element of our great game, Rugby Union, that comes when the 80 minutes are over. I like to call it ‘The Twilight Hour”.

 

We play rugby to test ourselves on an unchanging basis. A test of our ideals and our will. Our game reverently dictates what we ought to be, what we can be and what we will be. Every Saturday is our rallying point: to build courage when our heart becomes downtrodden; to regain faith when there seems to be little cause; to create hope when the week begins to drag.

 

Unhappily, I do not possess that smooth-tongue of diction, that poetry of innovation, nor that brilliance of metaphor to tell how best to test ourselves. Men, my aim is always simple. After the final whistle, when I have played my part on the field of our dreams, the first hour is always taken easily but when that raffle is complete I make my way to the best font on the bar. From here it is onwards, avoiding the overuse of SPOONS! and try to keep efforts with Woody and Davidson to remain in the bar until Gordy the Barman tries to fire the shutters north. If Gordy makes the latch then The Mayors Office and I move on to the next level… no need for Vipers.

 

The Twilight Hour after the game is what builds our Regiments basic character. It moulds us for our future missions as the custodians of our Game. It makes us strong enough to know when we are under attack, and brave enough to face our fears. It will not substitute words for actions, nor seek the path of comfort, but makes us face the stress and spur of difficulty and challenge. The Twilight Hour teaches us to have a glass that is full, a goal that is high and to learn to laugh, to reach into the future and recollect the best of the past; to be serious yet never to take yourself too seriously; to remind you of the simplicity of true greatness, and the meekness of true strength. The Twilight Hour teaches you to be an Officer and a gentleman.

 

Everything else in our professions is but corollary to this vital dedication. Men, this week, recognise there is more to our game than the 80 minutes and I urge you to test yourself in The Twilight Hour. And do it together.

 

The pot of gold at the end of the rainbow undoubtedly remains ‘The Debrief’.

 

Adjutant General Shambilton has found a seat-warmer and The Prince of Elgin knows McT’s subterfuge!

 

The Regiment for tomorrow’s game against North Berwick RFC at O.A, 3pm kick-off, is as follows: 


 

15 T. ‘Westwood‘ Herron

14 G. ‘Fisher‘ Hawkes

13 A. ‘Molinari‘ Shedden

12 D. ‘Kaymer‘ Hoffman


11 R. ‘Donald’ Love

10. J. ‘McIlroy‘ Shannon

9. A. ‘Garcia‘ Aird

1. C. ‘Clarke‘ MacPhee

2. G. ‘Bogey’ Reid

3. C. ‘McMontgomerie‘ Mclay

4. H. ‘Hanson‘ Parker

5. A. ‘Jimenez‘ Drummond

6. G. ‘McDowell‘ Woolard

7. M. ‘‘ Borthwick

8. R. ‘Molinari‘ Shedden



16. T. ‘Bjorn’ Horton

17. P. ‘Aliss‘ Ritchie

18. D. ‘McGinley‘ Campbell

 

Yours as always, running towards the gunfire. 11am Flying Scotsman. Pulling armpit hairs. Never wearing white boots. The need to pee at five to three. Forwards should always hunt in packs. Grasp the waistband. Never face the grass.

 

Disco

 

Supporting Note: Jerdy has a website. Twitter that!

 

This article was posted on 8-Oct-2010, 06:20 by Hugh Barrow.