After another troublesome week for the selection committee the Ducks were able to field the strongest side they’ve had out all season, some old faces included in the squad and a couple of boys back after paternity leave. Congratulations to both Evo and Chris P. The team therefore deserves listing.

1 Chris McGowan
2 Matt Thornton
3 Mike Potter
4 Josh Caley
5 Tom Hutchinson
6 TOBY BERTOLA
7 Tom Gilbert
8 Ant Evans
9 Nath Redfearn
10 BEN SADLER
11 Sam Bramhall
12 Matt Brookes
13 Tom Redfearn
14 Lee Thomas
15 Tom Price
16 Dom Neville
17 Dan Jenner
18 Harrison Child
19 Andy Smith
20 Chris Pilgrim

Collegiate agreed to us having 20 players after Gilly said Dom Nev was still traumatised after finding a mouse in his boot and as a habit of undressing when he gets on a coach and Evo and Pilly were both desperately tired after being up all week feeding and changing nappies.

The game started well, forwards creating a platform for the backs to move the ball out wide for the Speedster that is Sam B to crash over in the corner. His recent sprint training and finishing practice with his personal trainer Toby playing dividends.

The forwards led by Gilly were creating havoc, big carries, massive hits and winning turnovers right, left and centre. The Trio of mouthpieces in the backline Curly, Larry and Mo sorry Nath, Ben and Matt were their usual selves and unsurprisingly the referee turned off his hearing aid. Their constant chatter probably the reason our penalty count was 10 - 1 at halftime.

A severe lecture at the break from Dumb, Dumber and Dumberer the management geniuses about the penalty count was totally ignored. The introduction of all the lads off the bench after the break certainly put the lads on the front foot and it was no surprise when Sam Bram finished off twice more after some sparkling backs moves to claim his hat trick.

Having 20 players on the pitch against Collegiates 15 was a stroke of brilliance by yours truly but as I’ve said before that’s why they pay me the big bucks (Tonga Wonga at its best).

Man of the Match obviously went to Nath, Sam did run him close but bringing his personal trainer onto the pitch went against him. Now Diffy Duck was an altogether more difficult decision but the ramblings of a delirious old man means it must go to me.

As you can probably tell I’m as bored as everyone else but on a positive note, that is genuinely the lads we had to pick from after the 1st team had selected their eighteen. A little positive at a difficult time.

Sorry Collegiate but with this side out I think we might have won this one.

Cueilles du Canard.
Mother Duck.