A cold yet sunny day at King George V playing fields saw the combined might of the Wanderers and Drifters take on the OPM Jesters and Nomads. Originally billed as two separate matches, it was agreed to combine the teams when no referee could be found for the 3rd XV encounter.
The teams have a long history of competition mixed with a healthy rivalry, but with the OPM 1st XV plying their trade in the lofty heights of the Devon and Cornwall league while their Argaum counterparts spend their 1st season in Devon 1, just last season this would’ve been a 1st XV fixture.
The Argaum team included veterans from yesteryear including club President Steve Barnes, stalwart Toby Lieberson and the old warhorse himself Chris Sillitoe, added to this was Billy Evens, playing his first game in an Argaum shirt since his move across town from Old Techs.
I now have a confession to make. Normally I write everything down as it happens, but this week I went hi-tech and used the memo pad on my phone. Unfortunately technology and the elderly (even those of us only just approaching middle age) do not mix, and I must have wiped it so therefore do not know the scorers or times.
Having admitted that, the grey matter is still able to recall a little, and I know that the day saw Billy score a debut try, Dan Bolt getting his first for the club as a senior, Dano Sargeant crash over, Mark Handly ran in from the 22 (theirs), and Sid Sidebottom ran one in from his own 22 (plus a couple more). The crowd were even treated to a sight rarer than rocking horse poo when Mike Wood added 5 points to the Argaum tally. (apologies now just to those who I’ve left out).
The tries were not the only place where Argaum dominated. The pack out scrummaged at every opportunity, at one point where our 2nd row looked down to see the OPM No. 8 passing under their feet. I got to the point where the ref asked us if it would be possible to go easy on them in the scrums and it was even suggested that we go to under 19 laws with a max push of 1.5 meters unless it was a try scoring opportunity. Not only were the pack triumphant in the scrum, but also showed that they could maul at pace (a weapon in our armoury that we were lacking last season) driving the OPM players back and sapping their strength. The lineout also functioned well and was a joy to watch with Adam Wood being flung so high he came down with altitude sickness but not until he’d secured fine front ball time after time, producing a fine platform for the back line.
And it wasn’t only the forwards who were making hay while the sun shone. The backs were marauding up the field and breaking through the OPM line. The new centre paring of Dan Sargeant and Brad Westall made it look as though they’d been playing together for years, while Woody and Dan Bolt blazed a trail up the wings and Tom Cole stood strong as the last line of defence. The half back pairing of Ben Glanfield and Billy Evens ran the show from behind the big boys, and whenever they had the ball it seemed as though time slowed to give them even more time to think and execute.
The ref decided that at 74 minutes and a score line of 5 – 56, there was nothing to be gained from carrying on so the whistle was blown and the curtain lowered on this tremendous spectacle.
Add this to the 1st teams 36-0 demolition of Torpoint and it turns into a great time to be an Argaumite. And long may the good times continue.