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BBR

 

The Standard

 

18/06/07 Bath Time...

This weekend a mix of old and new Barebacks Riders came together at Stothert and Pitt rugby club on the outskirts on Bath to try and buck the trend of the London super clubs dominating the English tournament scene. A surprise victory to many, but a well deserved one.

The day started off pleasantly with McKenzie, Ferrin and Sanjuan arriving early to soak up the pre-tournament atmosphere and sneak in a few bacon rolls. It wasn’t long before Emma Black, Mike Booth and Grant Clark joined the party. The rest of the team were delayed on the M4 due to an accident. It was the 6 who made it who had to battle through the first game against the top seeds in the pool, the Foxes. A valiant effort in the opening 5 minutes took them to a 3-0 lead which the Foxes then began to claw back before losing 3-2. The rest of the gang arrived about 10 minutes later.

The next 3 pool games turned out to be mere formalities with the weather being the hardest element to combat. It was turning from fine Somerset summer sun to torrential monsoon style rain every 40 minutes. Nonetheless the team were beginning to enjoy themselves and become a unit, now up to our full complement of 12.

As pool champions the BBR were drawn against Cambridge Touch Rugby in the Ľ finals emerging as victors (3-0), next in the firing line were Galaxy Salmon. This team fielded an ex BBR broodmare who recently moved to London, Anna Rattray. A tough game here against the competition favourites with the scores at the end of regular time tied at 1 each. The dreaded drop off situation sparked flashbacks of Paris in Eddie and Robbie’s minds! This was a different story. After resisting Galaxy’s first attack the BBR took control and a well timed scoop from dummy half by captain Eddie Sanjuan allowed Clare Gregor to touch down over the whitewash for the match winning score, after a superb supporting run.

The final was against the MaiTai, another kiwi troupe this time based in Bath. They had beaten the Gurus (another London super club) in the semis and seemed to approach this game in a relaxed nature, as if they expected to win. The BBR spoilt their party. This was a fiercely contested match with the tournament virgin Russell Hill stepping his way through their defence on the brink of half time to take the BBR into the lead. The MaiTai responded swiftly to level the game after the break. The ensuing arm wrestle was exhausting, but the break came when Clare Gregor and Becks Knights linked beautifully up the right wing before shipping the ball to McKenzie who fed Sanjuan, who passed to Booth to execute the 2on1 with perfect precision and score the decisive try. The game lasted maybe a minute longer. The BBR were champions.

Luckily Eddie and Sarah had pre-bought some bubbly and beers, they went down a treat. During the medal presentation Mr Shakey-Hand came out and a new record was set just shy of the minute mark, once the medals had been awarded the gloating kicked in – medals became a piece of compulsory wear for the night out.

The night out is another tale but in summary Grant was schooled in the rules of Buffalo and everyone worked as hard as they had on the pitch in the various boozers attended. There was some hostility from the runners up but generally people wanted to hang out with the winners and a great time was had by all.

A big well done and thanks to everyone who came, saw and conquered in Bath.