We came, we saw and we got beaten, the effort from the boys yesterday was everything anyone could have asked for, we will go into next weeks cup quarter final full of confidence. As always happens when you're short of bodies, there's always an early injury and yesterday it was Brookesy who looks a major doubt for next week. With only seventeen bodies available this week, international tickets, cry offs, call ups, Christmas shopping and Man Flu, I did offer to bench but the lads decided they would sooner play with 7 men than give me a shirt (obviously they don't realise how S_it I was).

The groundsman at Old Bedians obviously works part time and had lost his lawnmower, if Taggy had been playing we'd never have found him in the long grass. Credit to Old Bedes they played the conditions and took there opportunities, they scored two converted tries in the opening ten minutes and completely dominated play. After Brookesys injury the boys regrouped and Petto got on the scoresheet after a bit of sustained pressure.

The rest of the half was nip and tuck until on 35 minutes when Bedes scored again, getting to halftime now at 19 - 7 down would have given us chance to regroup and come into the second half with renewed vigour. A chip through from Bedes, Del goes down on the ball to ground it and a late challenge ends up in confusion, Dels head split open, no yellow card, a twenty drop out instead of an attacking scrum, another reshuffle. Drop out taken, Bedes catch it and run in unopposed for an undiserved try, cruel, half time whistle 26 - 7.

Mark "Plum" Williams to hooker, Eddie to backrow and Petto back into the centres, that's why I get the BIG BUCKS, if Bedes were the better side in the first half my totally biased opinion gives us the second half, strong scrum, some good running lines from the backs, we bombed a few chances, Mike Weatherston nearly scored out wide, again a masterstroke by me, Mike off, Del the wounded duck back on and he promptly scores out wide, can't say we were ever definitely back in the game but Bedes' late try from a turnover inside their own twenty two was harsh. 34 - 14 full time. Confidence is good for next weeks rematch.

Duck of the Day and Diffy Duck amazingly went to the same man, although there were challengers for both, Hastey and Petto for Man of the Match, Del "lose the duck" Alderson for Diffy, but when you arrive for the meet, girlfriend in tow a full hour early because you can't read and then have an outstanding display when switched to full back Ollie you're the man.

Notables today Petto got man of the match from our opposition, Hastey's new nose job makes him look more like Mike Tyndall, Graham Keen is the most talented rugby player in the family. Big thank you to the lads that stepped up and particularly to Smithy for all the help this week.

Cueilles du Canard,
Semper A Mavericus, Semel A Mavericus.
Mother Duck.