The WOBS RFC 2002-03 Season —The South Face

Another season draws to a close and the Worth Old Boys Society RFC is moving from strength to strength. But was this year to be the season that we broke out of Surrey division 3? Would we be able to grab the ever-elusive promotion spot and conquer our personal Everest?

The season started with a positive vibe and an expectant buzz among the players and the season saw some newer players galvanised into regular team members to play alongside old guard, some of whom go from strength to strength (and some of whom just put on weight). The elusive running of the three full backs Paul Benson, Tom I-am-now-gainfully-employed Calnan and Lee Howard, was often responsible for deciding our margin of victory (although it would be fair to say more through prolific try scoring than precision kicking!). Nick Vasquez and Ben Calnan made strong appearances on the wing as well. The familiar hammering of the Wilson-Badger combo in the centre meant that our defenses were not breached often, and when these two were not available the positions were more than filled by Matt Palmer and either Lee or Bense who kept the solid reputation of the WOBS’s mid-field intact. Paul Charles at 9 and one or other of the Bailey brothers worked well as half-backs with the game being firmly steered.

The front row made up variously of the old timers Hooch and Paul K at prop with appearances from John Sara, Dean Hurley and Robinson and then ‘Rosie’ Carson or Jes Bleckley at hooker gave the scrum a solid platform for variously Callum, Hammond, Saunders, ‘Marine’ Roberts , Tom ‘Gibbon’ Lewis and Whittaker to provide the powerhouse. The back row consisted of a mixture of ‘skips’ Jackson, Robinson, Firth and Goughie with various others such as James Rotheram and Ben Nickell and when he got his way, Rich Saunders, making cameo performances at various times throughout the season showing the strength in depth we had this year in the squad. Apologies to anyone not mentioned specifically, but many players were used this year and everyone’s contribution was telling.

Now to the season itself. It started well with victories in friendly matches and cup games and on the 28th September we opened our League account with a very convincing win against Haslemere (57-17). With a number of League victories by Christmas we went into the holiday break on course to reach the summit by the end of the season. But it was not over yet. Three more League games remained between us and promotion, one was against the League challengers, Chipstead.

BACK ROW left to right: Martin Whittaker, Matt Palmer, Callum Ludgate, Tom Lewis, Guy Robinson, Andy Hill, Jonathan Nickell, Richard Hammond, Mike Anstey, Tom Calnan, Jon Sara. FRONT ROW left to right: Paul Benson, Rob Carson, Seb Bailey, Lee Howard, Chris Jackson, Nick Vasquez, Paul Kozary, Paul Charles, Richard Saunders.

With no game for over a month for most of the players we lined up to face Chipstead in the latter part of January with a degree of anxiousness. They had, not surprisingly, recognised the seriousness of the game and had brought with them a coach full of supporters who created a lot of noise and (so I am reliably informed) spoke a lot of rubbish. A rusty performance by WOBS losing 27-10 meant that we moved to third in the League table. A disaster, because only the top two teams are promoted. It was clear to all (although only after being explained to some of the forwards) that we had two games to score as many points as possible and on a positive note, that we would be playing two of the lower positioned teams in the League.

Early February and our penultimate League game. We were staring up at the Hillary Step and knew although it was a mammoth task it was by no means impossible. But don’t we all love a challenge? WOBS were 24 points up in the first 18 minutes and things just got better. A mention to Lee Howard here for his outstanding haul of 6 tries and a mention to the entire team who, to a man, kept the pressure up and by the final whistle we had amassed 102 points to Suttonians’ 0. Just what was needed for our points difference, or so we thought, but later that evening we heard that although Bec had only won by about 30 points, Chipstead had won 103-5. A net gain for WOBS on Chipstead of only 4 points. So now the League was really interesting reading. We were in third with Bec in second by one point and Chipstead 30 points or so in the lead. Remember, these are actual points because we had all played and won the same number of games.

So, into the final game of the season. We had to put on another high scoring performance if we were ever to escape from Surrey 3 and plant that flag on the summit. The last game against Croydon went well. In fact, it went very well, and when the game ended we called to find out the other scores. Bec had won by 80 points and Chipstead had won by about 50 points. Enough for both to go up, or so they thought. The masterful WOBS won by a breathtaking 126-0 to be crowned Champions of Surrey 3 and grab the top spot in the League and that ultimate prize of promotion. A hugely exciting end to a great League season and now the challenge of Surrey 2 that I have no doubt the squad will take in its stride.

Thanks to everyone who turned up and played or benched this season and thank you from the players to Chris Jackson whose commitment and leadership on and off the field was outstanding, and as always thanks to Desmond Calnan for running the show.

Finally, a huge thank you to the Worth Old Boys Society without whose continued support the WOBS RFC would not be able to continue.

Despite our success this year we are always looking for new players so if you would like to join the squad please visit www.WOBSrfc.com and send an e-mail and we will be in touch. Here’s to Surrey 2!

Jonathan Nickell (Butler 1982-87)

This is an abrieviated version of the full article which will appear in the The Blue Paper 2003 (the annual newsletter of WOBS, which is sent to all members of WOBS). For membership of WOBS please contact the Secretary, Marie-Clare McMenemy, email: wobs@wobsnet.org.uk.