London Media RFC

It’s tour time! Warsaw here we come.

mikej — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 12:49:13 +0000

Is one of these the casino???

What could be better than 4 days of fun, frolics and flippin rugby? All the best bits of the season so far crammed into one weekend - with cheaper beers and better looking ladies (and men?)
This year’s tour is to Warsaw in Poland, flying out on Thursday 13th May (Luton) and returning on Sunday 16th. The cost should be no more than £195, but we do need a commitment on numbers / people etc so we can book the flights.
London Media tours are the stuff of legend, so you’d be mad to miss out.
Please email the Judge by Sat 13th March if you’d like to come, but remember you must be a fully paid up club member .

Occies 12 Chipstead 22

Ish — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 08:05:48 +0000

The scene was set on a glorious afternoon on Fortress Battersea. The infantry and cavalry had assembled and the atmosphere was one of cohesion, anticipation and determination. Determination to unsettle table-topping Chipstead and build on the encouraging performance against Mitcham the week before.

Led by Frapps, the squad built up a quick sweat with some beautifully synchronized warm-up exercises that only he could have orchestrated before splitting up into the forwards and backs and running through some pre-game moves.

The preparation was not in vain as Media came out all guns blazing. From the kick off, Chipstead found themselves running into a brick wall. Bone-crunching hits by the returning John Parker and Alli ‘locked jaw’ Maclean on their 12 and 13 after a few minutes effectively disarmed their midfield for the rest of the day as they didn’t seem to want to catch the ball after that. In fairness, it’s not easy with your seat-belt firmly back on and your insides still shaking.

The first quarter saw the hosts controlling the ball both with solid scrums, thanks to the omni-present and omni-potent Mike and Windows and the lineouts with sound jumping from Sam and the impressive new-boy Nick off some pin-point throwing from the President. With this in mind, the opposition jumped at two early opportunities to convert two fairly generous penalties. Their full-back, who was arguably their best player converted the harder of the two chances before receiving a pass from their open-side and ghosting around the midfield, through the back 3 and straight under the posts. 0-10 with media hardly putting a foot wrong.

In seasons past, the Occies may have crumbled at this stage but heads were held high in the confidence that media could ride this storm with controlled, aggressive rugby. The next 15 were spent camped in Chipstead’s 22 as the impressive James Williams, Benny and debutant Kevin launched countless attack from the base of the ruck. Chipstead held firm with some great tackling of their own but were lucky not to have a player yellow carded for desperately trying to kill the ball a few yards out from the line. Media, in the spirit of the game, chose not to go for points but rather go for the maximum. The tactic turned against us as Chipstead turned the ball over and bravely decided to run the ball from their own line. The tactic caught us unaware and our sleepiness led to another break away try under the posts. 0-17.

The half almost ended with a breakaway try of our own as I intercepted a sloppy pass from their prop and tried to set Shane off around their confused full-back. But it was not to be as a gaggle of skimpily clad hockey girls that happened to be stretching off only a few yards away seemed to catch both our eyes. Red-eyes maybe for not being able to finish a 2 on 1 chance.

Half time 0-17. Amazingly given our territorial and possessional advantage.

The second half saw the introduction of Tom Reed in replacement of the injured Sam Parker, who perhaps in secret was saving his energy for his big birthday bash later that evening. The enforced substitution worked well as Tom caught a few high balls and drove past the gain line to set up good ball for the influential Tom Lindley at scrum-half who had a commanding game.

The game next went through a sloppy phase where neither team took control. Some good defensive cover tackles by Nick Stopford and Shane saved our blues as their backs started to enjoy some over-laps. In fact, the next try was to come from one such over-lap when they made good use of a gross oversight of a knock-on from their clumsy 12, still scared of John Parker, before their wing finished in the corner. 0-22 with 25 minutes to play.

It was from this moment on that media started to convert their chances and the opposition faded on account of how hard they had worked for their fortuitous lead.

Frapps shimmied and bounced off a few tacklers to score under the posts after some good build up play from the forwards. 7-22.

On came Andy Cannon for his second debut for the club on the left wing, Hos at outside centre and Marvin ‘the hustler’ Peckham on the other wing to try and squeeze more points out of a withering Chipstead. The fresh legs in the backs and the constant threat of the locks and back row from set-pieces and free-kicks started to open up gaps in Chipstead’s defense. A quick and incisive switch of play from Tom Lindley who had bravely played the second half with a knee injury gave me a chance to pop a pass to the wide-eyed Windows to touch down from a few yards out. 12-22 with 9 minutes to go.

From the kick off, media kept their cool and played for the corners and possession. They controlled the game and had one or two chances to score with some inventive back moves. But it was not to be as the curtains were drawn and the ref blew the final whistle to end a thrilling encounter.

Man of the Match – Frapps

Bank of England vs Occies 6th Feb

des230383 — Sun, 07 Feb 2010 22:36:35 +0000

After disappointingly hearing that Cranleigh cried off the original league game fixture, sterling secretarial skills from il capitano ensured we got a game arranged, fine work old boy.

The ground and facilities were awesome, the Wentworth of the amateur rugby world, I mean it’s not often you get carpeted changing rooms. With a strong 15 turning out, which was a great effort for an occies friendly. There was the usual pre-match optimism, deservedly so given the strong recent performances, namely last week where we largely dominated against league leaders Chipstead. However, in fairness, BoE got the balance of play on the first half, strategically giving the ball to a couple of their units from the pack on several occassions (we’re talking 20 stoners here), but they soon realised we were up to the challenge with some big hits from les occies. After some great defense for a good 10 mins in our own 22, they managed to capitalise and drive over for our line midway through the first half. Almost straight away, we applied the pressure deep in the BoE half, and earned a penalty right under their posts, step up Ali Mac, the boy doesn’t missed these, Occies straight back at them, half time score 5-3. If we’re honest, one of the weaker halves we have played in fairness this season …..

The sup of lucozade at half time combined with some stern words had an immediate effect. We got the game faces back on and a fine break from Pete G saw him crash threw a series of challenges and advance media towards the oppo’s line and moments into second half we touch down for a well deserved try (I couldn’t actually see who emerged from the heap with the ball in hand sorry lads). Ali M – then slotted over the conversion from an improbable angle. The rest of the second half saw more ball getting out to all the backs and there was a series of good phases of play, where we are starting to show more cohesion from getting the same faces out most weeks.

Final score, 13-5 to Occies.

Overall we all really enjoyed the game, which is what it’s all about, but potentially not quite as much as Windows enjoyed absolute Bowie down The Half Moon in Putney, good seeing the decent turn out down there afterwards.

Roll-on next week.

Overall a great effort from the lads, we’re having a good season, let’s keep it going to the end of the season and keep the wins coming.

1’s Raynes Park Match Report 23-01-2010

wdrayton10 — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:12:21 +0000

Final Score : London Media 12 – Raynes Park 10

After a rather calm warm up complete with lateness and the like.. (Chris W get an alarm clock u muppet!) Media were ready for Kick-oof with a solid looking side and Russ H..

The game see sawed from one side to the other for the first 20 or so minutes, the usual Media pattern enveoped:

penalty -> kick into the corner -> lose the lineout … unfortunately this never really gave up barre a few scrapply won lineouts..

However a massive plus came in the scrum where after a few jittery scrums the Media Pack got their backs into it and started to dictate the scrum.. a massive effort from Neil, Russ and Matt (who was covering a big unit) and this certainly helped guide the team forward..

Media put together some great running rugby in the backs with a few incisive moves by greeny and the “soon-to-be divorced” hossy but to no avail as too many times wekicked the ball away in scoring opportunities..

An early penalty under the poles was duly slotted by greeny for a 3-0 lead.. There were certainly some harrowing moments for Will and Aidan at the back, Will putting in a try saving chase down on their blitzy #15 and Aidan managing a rather awkward looking back kick in our danger zone.. but calm heads got us through, with Will Shaw’s “educated” boot making the Raynes Park back three look like a bunch of sixth graders on a footie pitch!

Half time 3-0 Media

After half time a rather surprisingly disciplined Media side sought out the Raynes Park 22.. In what is arguably the most incredible “planned” score of all the years, Eddy Ug made a great break off the back of scrum and after some pick up and go’s by the new boy Ash who covered the park like a seasoned loosie, Damo, mongo, and the other loose forward wayno, Media edged up to the 22.. then cool as you like, Benny Bucks (having another cracker of a game) sent the ball back to George “Spartacus” who duly kicked a dropgoal straight through the middle of the poles.. The childish giggling from the Media side could be heard as far as the Latch, this only served to confuse the Raynes “dirty Saffa’s” Park side even more.. 6-0

After this the Media side where put under the kosh by the Saffa pack and their Mike Tyson voiced lump of a prop.. However their momentum was duly stoppped by what was one of Mongo’s finest displays with his shoulders on their moany captain 8th man who was much quieter after getting smashed twice by Mongo.. Although Mongo did then attempt to take on our own captain by slicing a gash, as big as Phil’s “koombaya-my-lord”, on our cappies cheek… Phil “the mummy returns” managed to get back on after some great sideline patch work by our stand in doctor.. although he did need to be pointed towards the plays for the rest of the game..

Back to the action, Media gave away too many penalties, although some may have been rather hard done by, notably Ed and Chris W being on their feet.. however having Matt complain about his penalty after belly-flopping over the ball didn’t exactly score us any street cred with the ref.. 6 – 3..

Media were again duly punished by not winning their lineout ball and falling over the ball and ended up with a soft try by the oppo’s only legal UK resident and their fullback slotted a tough kick form the corner..

6 – 10..

Cometh the hour.. Cometh our Spartacus..

With 20 minutes left on the closk, Media again surged into the oppo’s danger zone.. Hossy again showing why we need his pace and skill.. and after linking well with Greeny at 13.. media were within 15 yards.. again the call came out for the pick and go, amaxzingly the pack were on the ball and had further attempts which I have to say really change the pace of attack and draw in the numbers.. after many attempts at the whiteline failing due to the last pass going awry we managed to get a kickable penalty.. but alas no joy and the kick went wide..

However Media showed great determination and skill by getting back into Raynes’ territory and again after some great phase play and breaks up the middle by Eddy Ug and Damo.. round two came for Spartacus to duly slot a dropgoal from almost exactly the same spot as the first..

9 – 10..

After surviving some attacks by their danger men in the form of their #8 and #15.. duly by the “educated” shoulder of a slimline lookin Mongo.. and some great shoves off the ball by our front 5.. Media managed to again put pressure on the Raynes team inside tehir own half, winning a scrum on the last play of the game on the 22 and 15 lines..

Spartacus George turned to his backs and duly said ” well may as well ‘av another go then”.. Ben Bucks provided an on the button pass and George connected perfectly with the ball sailing through the middle of the sticks..

Full-Time whistle..

Euphoria..
Giggles..

Victory!

MOTM: George Spartacus
DOTD: Raynes Park #8
Debut: Aussie Ash

Player gradings ala the Daily Mirror: (max 10)

Matt – 5
Russ H – 4
Neil – 5
Damo – 6
Mongo – 9
Phil – 3
Ash – 7
Nick C – 5
Ben – 8
George – 10
Aidan – 6
Wayne – 3
Greeny – 6
Hossy – 8
Will Shaw – 7
Ed – 7
Chris W – 7

…….

For those who wish to understand the nickname Spartacus, please feel free to view the banana man v spartacus video uploaded on our website..

wayno

England v Ireland Legends game for the Stuart Mangan Memorial Cup, Friday 26th February at the Stoop, Twickenham

England v Ireland Legends — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 13:59:21 +0000

On the evening of Friday 26th February the inaugural England Legends v Ireland Legends match for the Stuart Mangan Memorial Cup is being held at The Stoop in Twickenham (www.englandirelandlegends.co.uk). The Legends charity match, a fundraiser for paralysed rugby players, will provide the perfect opener to a great weekend of rugby with the Six Nations clash the following day.

The Legends game will see some of the big names of English and Irish rugby go head-to-head one more time, with those involved including Shane Byrne, Martin Corry, Rob Henderson, Jason Robinson, David Humphreys, Mike Catt, Richard Wallace, Josh Lewsey, Conor O’Shea, Jason Leonard and Peter Clohessy, to name but a few.

After the game there will be plenty of entertainment – bands playing in the main bar and plenty of food and drinks to be had to make a great night of it. Corporate hospitality is also available for those who would be interested.

Let me explain the background: The game was conceived to raise money for Stuart Mangan, who was paralysed from the high neck following a rugby accident whilst playing for Hammersmith & Fulham RFC in April 2008. Stuart required 24hour medical care for his every basic need, and The Stuart Mangan Appeal was launched to fundraise with patrons including Keith Wood, Ronan O’Gara and Jason Leonard. Stuart sadly passed away in August 2009 having contracted pneumonia, but his family have chosen for the match to go ahead in his memory and to raise necessary funds to support other injured players.

With this in mind, the beneficiary charities from the proceeds of the Legends game are Keith Wood’s Paralysed Rugby Players’ Fund, The Matt Hampson Trust and the IRFU Charitable Trust. Matt Hampson suffered a similar accident to Stuart whilst training with England U-21s and provided friendship and support to Stuart. The Legends game is kindly sponsored by the Byrne Group and ValidusRe, so 100% of the funds raised will go to these deserving charities.

We are aiming to sell all 12,000 seats at the game so we need to maximise awareness of the event. We would very much appreciate it if you would forward this email to all of your individual club members and supporters and to anyone who you think would be interested in attending the game. Also, if you could include this information on your Club website and/or in your club’s newsletters and on notice boards, it would be most appreciated. We can post you some leaflets and posters if you require, please do let me know.

Tickets can be purchased (£10 for adults and £5 for kids) by clicking on the link below, where you will also find information on the teams and Corporate Hospitality contacts.

www.englandirelandlegends.co.uk

We look forward to seeing you at the England Legends v Ireland Legends game and would very much appreciate your support for Stuart Mangan Memorial Cup and for these very worthy rugby charities.

old halleys match report

fagin — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 09:36:37 +0000

Much like I used to I don’t think most of you kids have any idea about the pain that it is trying to get 2 teams together each week. Tuesday morning presented me and Wayne our biggest selection headache of the year so far…… We had too many backs. I felt uneasy……

Having to pick a fist 15 rather than it picking itself was tough but can only be good for the club and showed just how much depth we have and will really start some good competition between us all.

[ word of warning, if you haven't guess already, this match report is neither interesting or informative…………. or correct ]

So the 90% certain rainy saturday morning Wayne promised us came around with blue skys covering most of London…. Change of game plan was in need but helped us a treat.

The obligatory slow start left us 10-3 down early on and at this point I think I might of got hit in the head cause I have no idea who got the first try (comments below??)… Up until that point we’d had the majority or possession and territory for once but it seemed it took us to go behind before we decided to stop being sht and dropping the ball and do why we do best and score some tries. After some strong running from the returning Jaques and benidict, Ed was on hand to pick up our first (well maybe second) try of the match.

After all this we again let in a soft try leaving us down by about 7 at half time (maybe… I’m going to go with that).

A few truths were spoke and we never looked back from there. It was a game where we had them in almost all departments with the pack clearly fitter around the park with matty pitting in some huge hits in midfield and eddy nicking a ridiculous amount of ball. They never seemed to threaten to break our line and with strong running from Waynos, Jaques, Chig, green, will and George we knew as along as we kept the ball we’d score.

About 10mins into the half Wayne and Chig took a quick lineout that nobody (not even us) was ready for. Between the two of them they ate up half of the pitch before we recycled the ball quickly for benny to pop me the ball for the easiest of run ins. **Now it’s at this point I’ve now realised that this was the first half but this has taken long enough to write already so for all concerned it’s now the 50th minute.**

Once again we slippied behind but from then on out it was all media.

Benny Buckley scored and easy touch down as the days motm randy did one of the finest pieces of skill I’ve seen on a pitch when after the ball had bounced past the dead ball line he lept out of bounds and taped it back in play…… it was rather awesome and when I tell this story in the future I will of course be telling people it was me. if that doesn’t make sense watch the link below ‘cause it’s near exactly what happened, right down to the area of the pitch to.

http://rugbydump.blogspot.com/2008/05/freak-try-from-rugby-league-centenary.html

We the did the sensible thing, played territory and kept the ball tight, they seemed rattled and the result was never in doubt. Both Paul and Sam cam off the bench really took it to them straight up the middle with some great runs and great support to keep allowing quick ball…. WHY DON’T WE DO THIS FOR THE FIRST 70 MINS!! This left green to move take over from is identical twin at scrum half to pick from the base of a ruck and some how slip through their big ol’ number 8’s arms for the score.

The game was over but we weren’t don’t. After a delicate cross field chip chiggy flew past all their players to touch down over the line. It was a great try to end a great game.

Big thanks to you all who turned up nice and early and especially to you guys who turned up and didn’t get on. It was massively appreciated. The belief in this team should be high. The talent is there to be battling for the top of this league so with a bit of commitment some good times should be ahead boys.

MOTM – Randy. Great tackling, running and just about everything else along with one outrageous bit of skill. Some excellent performances all round though. it really was a true team effort.

DOTD – Matty for being the only person to nominate a dotd

DEBUTs – ok well not technically but it was George and Pauls first red eyes…. Both boys have come in and done a fine job so far so lets hope it’s just the first of many for them.

Ok so that may or may not of happened but that’s how I remember it.

Cheers fellas,

Fagin

OH YEAH GEORGE… The other lost try, that was it. He scored. Not sure when but it was after a fine fend to one of their centres before running in from 25m.

Yeah Baby

DamoHorton — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 09:28:22 +0000

Good work lads, awesome stuff. We are now on a roll.

Match report: Occies v Old Rutlishians – 14th Nov

des230383 — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 20:50:54 +0000

[nggallery id=11]

It’s safe to say pre match conditions were awful, but this certainly didn’t dampen team spirits, with an ever eager occies full team turning up in advance of any of the opposition at Battersea. This allowed for a good warm up session and practise before kick off, led by Capitano Isherwood.

The occies got off to a positive start, with much of the opening quarter spent around the Old Ruts 22. Unfortunately, the pressure didn’t bear any fruit and Old Ruts managed to reverse the pressure and fortunes as the half progressed, kicking a couple of peno’s in quick succession. And then not long before half time, despite some resiliant defence from the occies, they managed to force an overlap and score towards the end of the half.

Half time – occies trail 11-0.

In the second half, despite a great effort form our lads up front, the significantly more sizeable Old Ruts managed to win a lot of ball from all set pieces, and as such we again spent a lot of time showing off some great defence with big tackling. In the end they managed 2 more unconverted tries in the half, final score 21-0.

Overall, a credible performance from the ever passionate occies, and great seeing 4 new faces on the team too. and as always, a pint or 8 was enjoyed by all post game. The occies face 3 huge games coming up before xmas, let’s make sure we all keep available for these.

Shane

London Media v Old Ruts Match Report 14/11/2009

wdrayton10 — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:52:25 +0000

So the weekends game was the first “winter hurricane” game of the season, so it was rather “interesting” conditions… A 40mph wind straight down the pitch made the phrase “a game of two halfs” pretty appropriate.. even ben bucks was getting big distance on his kicks

we were down wind first half so i knew we had to post a few tries but when we got two peno’s under the poles early on we cleverly decided to get off the mark.. even tho media always wants to go for the 7 (well 5 with our kickers), it was sensible to get the points and how important they proved to be…!

After putting two penos through the sticks, george had a crazy run down the touchline… blatently in touch by the time he put it down but their linesman was nowehere.. by the halfway lining chatting to his mate.. ref gave it!!! ahh yeahh.. when do we ever get good breaks.. but it was “pretty close”.. like cueto in the world cup really.. blatantly OUT!!

another 1.. shadow chased a kick and got there first but ref called a knock on.. unfortunate..

13-0 at half-time..

then it was just nuts to the grinder in the second half.. some really good ball retention and defence around the rucks won us the game.. and some great clearing kicks by 9,10 and george at 13.. after telling mongo and randy to just run lines off 10, we managed a few barnstorming runs up the middle which at least kept us out of our 22.. as if you kicked it in the air it would just come straight back at ya!!

eddy ug had a great game.. played on the wing but got stuck in everywhere.. and he covered their danger man (little fast stocky winger) to perfection.. had a one-on-one near the death with this little fella who was damn quick and strong, he tried to go round the outside and Eddy caught him.. then smashed him.. then stole the ball off him..!! awesome stuff..

Chig at #11, Ed at #14..!! No turnovers out wide thats for sure!!

the pack had a solid game with massive performances from randy and mongo.. both back to their best.. Highly notable performance from the front row with solid scrums when we were on our line and some great lifting in the lienout with Jim supplying ample options (just like his dancing later that eveing)

MOTM by far was nick connors at 8.. had great pick up speed off the back of the scrums and helped us massively to get out of tight spots.. the london media 1s havent seen speed off the back like that since James Sewell (Eddy, Phil, BGD have tried but are better known for their “solidness”!)

Potential DOTD awares could have gone to 9 and 10 for arriving.. with the kit.. 10 mins before kickoff… still drunk.. wat a combo!! its all phils fault anyway for having a creak in his neck from gettin a bit too randy in his soho deephouse with greeny!!

Final score LM 13 – Old ruts 7!!

And first blood for a “W” with a load of home games coming up..

So all rest up this week and come back fighting fit for next weeks’ game at fortress battersea!!

The 1s will be looking for notable returns from : Chig, Frapps, Larry, Hossy, Suggs, Jacques, Jonny Gepheart, Graham, Cookie, Damo, Nick Read and Red face roy..

In all a throughly enjoyable dayout given the conditions and a cracking evening around clapham… Could someone please post the recordings of Jim “spaghetti shadow dancer” Smith on the site!! Priceless..

wayno

LM Squad Game: friendly v Old Emanuel 2s

nelly — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:22:10 +0000

Afternoon Gentleman.

The sun has set on British summetime and I can’t think of a better way of walking into the darkness than alongside a fired up LM squad with an away game with Old Emanuel 2nd XV.

There are lots of reasons why it would be good to get a win on the board which I won’t list out here. But we are presented with an excellent opportunity to do just that. It’s a short jaunt down the A3, with a nice pitch and a nice clubhouse so this is a call to get involved……

Yes’s and No’s to me this week please and can we make them asap. It makes life so much easier for everyone when there is clear sight of the Saturday XV during the week.

Let’s have a good one and a win boys; and get things back on track for the club.

http://www.oldemanuelrugbyclub.ac.psiweb.com/

Cheers.

Sam