I missed the very first league game because I was still banned from the year before. I can’t remember what I’d done, but that was when rucking was rucking so boots or fists would likely have been involved. People who’d never been to a rugby match before would say, ‘what’s gone off there? There’s been 27 acts of GBH and everything else’! I loved the fact that it would all be forgotten once the final whistle went and you’d shake hands, walk off and then go and get pissed together. The camaraderie you get from rugby is something else.
My debut Rotherham match was at home to Old Crossleyans, we won 17-9 and Kevin Plant scored a try. Planty never scored tries, but he kicked a load of points. He had an absolutely sweet left foot on him; he were brill. The bottom left hand corner at Clifton Lane, next to the drive, used to be called Planty’s Corner because he always banged over the goals from the left side when we were attacking the clubhouse. Clifton Lane was unique. If you played it right, you could have the wind behind you both halves. If you defend the clubhouse first half, the wind comes with you because you’ve got Herringthorpe Playing Fields behind. But by half-time, it can come off the valley at the other end, where the cricket pavilion is. It doesn’t just blow in one direction.
We had a lot of local lads who came up through the system together, from the Colts. Climbing the leagues with your mates was a lot of fun. There was probably 13/14 of us and a few from outside who came to the area because of work. Dave Wright, a hooker from down south, came up because of his job as a teacher and became one of us. He wanted to find a rugby club and one evening when he was driving around he saw the car in front had a Rotherham RUFC sticker up in the rear window. So he decided to follow it. Luckily for him they were going to the club for training that night otherwise he could have ended up anywhere.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 06, 2024-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der October 06, 2024-Ausgabe von The Rugby Paper.
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Sleightholme shows he has pace to burn
OLLIE Sleightholme recently clocked his fastest sprint time and is racing to cement his spot as an England starter.
McGoverne says playing for Chiefs is her priority
EXETER fly-half Olivia McGoverne has opted for club over country which will rule her out of contention for New Zealand’s World Cup bid in 2025.
Trinity aim to get the culture right
HIGH-FLYING Trinity have made a remarkable turnaround this season after narrowly avoiding relegation last term, heading into this weekend unbeaten and are now eyeing up promotion from Level 7.
YOUNG GUNS
Louie Gulley experienced the environment of England U20s’ World Championship triumph up close this summerand now has a burning desire to become an age-grade star. The 19-year-old Exeter Chiefs hooker was part of Mark Mapletoft’s squad but didn’t manage to make an appearance during the tournament.
The Cherry & Whites lay down marker over Lucs
CAMBORNE maintained their lead at the top of the table with a bonus-point win against their nearest challengers in a pulsating game.
A brace from Botterill is key to victory for Esher
A highly entertaining and enthralling contest between two sides fighting at the foot of the table was eventually won by Esher after the lead had changed no less than seven times throughout an absorbing afternoon.
Chiefs in hunt for new investment
TONY Rowe has confirmed the search for new investors into Exeter Chiefs has begun as he looks to safeguard the longterm future of the Premiership club.
McParland keen to shine for England A
NORTHAMPTON scrum-half Archie McParland feels he has returned a better player following a nasty injury that denied him a World Cup winners medal and is now ready to fly into a new opportunity with England A.
Undercard get chance to show their A-game
ENGLAND’S A team today get their first major work-out after being resurrected earlier this year when Australia’s undercard provide the opposition at The Stoop.
England look like a clueless rabble
I WATCHED with a growing sense of bewilderment as England yet again took to the field against Australia looking to all intents and purpose as if they had just been introduced to each other on the coach into Twickenham.