Old Freemen's Rugby Football Club Archive September 2003 - May 2004

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• 1st XV Results
• 2nd XV Results
• 3rd XV Results
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• 2nd XV Match Reports
• Easter Tour 2004 Report

1st XV Results

2nd XV Results

3rd XV Results

Old Freemen's did not put out a 3rd team in 2003-2004 Season

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1st XV Match Reports

1st XV Match Reports 2003 - 2004

Sep 13 - Old Whitgiftians - Lost 20 - 31

Sep 20 - Old Emanuel - Lost 19 - 26

Sep 27 - Old Reigations - Lost  0 - 49

Oct 4 - Old Wellintonians - Lost 0 - 26

Oct 11 - Battersea Ironsides - Won 14 - 7

Oct 25 - Reeds Weybridge - Won 33 - 10

Nov 1 - Old Caterhamians - Won 37 - 17

Nov 8 - Kingston - Lost 25 - 28

Nov 15 - Kingston - Lost 8 - 49

Nov 29 - Law Society - Won (Oppo didn't turn up)

Dec 6 - Old Amplefordians - Lost 10 - 50

Dec 13 / 20 - Cancelled

[Dec 27 - Old Freemen's 34    Young Freemen's 20]

Jan 10   - London Exiles - Won 41 - 5

Jan 17 - Croydon - Won 36 - 0

Jan 24 - Old Cranleighans - Lost 12 - 14

Jan 31 - Old Emanuel 2nd - Won 32 -7

Feb 7 - Dorking XV - Lost 19 - 20

Feb 14 - Streatham/ Croydon - Won 39-0

Feb 21 - Warlingham - Lost 13 - 42

Feb 28 - Pelhamians - Won 43 - 7

Mar 13 - Old Tiffinians - Won 28 - 13

Apr 3 - Cranleigh - Lost 17 - 32

Apr 9 - Ellingham - Draw 19 - 19

Apr 10 - New Milton - Lost 15 - 38

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Ellingham - 9th April 2004 - by Roger Seymour

Ellingham       19                    Old Freemen’s          19  

With the hangovers sorted out by the wonderful bbq at The Star plus a few hairy dogs,  Old Freemen’s took the field against Ellingham in brilliant sunshine. 

Ellingham had drafted in some ringers to meet their old rivals and a close and entertaining contest ensued. It was nip and tuck all the way – Ellingham scoring the first try before Freemen’s unleashed a Bison try from 40 metres to finish some scintillating work by Andrew Suttle, Jon Bird, and Neil Morrison. Jon Hobbs converted to give the Old Boys the lead.   

The hosts scored a dodgy converted try and then Freemen’s heralded half-time using the experience of Malcolm Beech to launch John Winch for a try from a line-out. 

12-all at half-time and everything to play for, Freemen’s younger players rose to the challenge of their robust opponents, impressing the large crowd of old sweats on the touchline.    

Spike Hobbs ran in a beautiful individual try that he converted at the start of the half but Ellingham bounced back with another dodgy converted try of their own, making it 19 – all, and neither team could break the deadlock. 

Freemen’s:            Van Dort; Brent, Davies,R., Tribick, Turk (Burns); Hobbs, Smith; Winch (Mills), Morrison, Gummer (Pepper), Beech, Tyrrell, Reynolds (Acton), Suttle, Bird.  

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New Milton - 10th April 2004 - by Roger Seymour

New Milton             38                    Old Freemen’s            15

New Milton from Hampshire One were out to de-flower the “London Team” and proved too physical for our young, and by now slightly jaded stars, but what a fine performance Freemen’s put up. So many players came of age on this tour and, if New Milton had been drinking all night too, then we would have hammered them!

As it was, we had to settle for two great tries by Jimmy Williams and a conversion and penalty by skipper for the day, Jon Hobbs. But what a great fight the lads put up – a credit to the Club and to Surrey One.

Freemen’s:            Van Dort; Brent (Davies,R.), Williams, Burns (Chugger), Turk; Hobbs, Smith; NM Guest, Bird, Pepper (Morrison), Beech, Tyrrell, Reynolds, Acton, Tribick (Miers).  

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Cranleigh - 3rd April 2004 - by Roger Seymour

Cranleigh            32          Old Freemen's         17

It was not so much a case of ‘After the Lord Mayor’s Show’, as ‘After the Headmaster’s Dinner’ for Old Freemen’s on Saturday. Starting slowly, a youthful Freemen’s side put up a brave performance against Cranleigh but eventually ran out of gas. As they entered the final quarter, they had clawed-back to within three points having gifted the Surrey Shield winners a fifteen point lead! 

On Friday night, Old Freemen’s recent school-leavers attended a Dinner to celebrate 150 years of the founding of their School. Half of the first team were still showing the after-effects whilst they took time to get going as an attentive opposition swept forward in this Surrey One fixture. 

Freemen’s best chances against a strong Cranleigh pack came from the intricate  handling of their backs where three scrum halves, Andy Owen, Dom Smith and Nick Brown, made for variety of Woodward-esque proportions. But in the first half, apart from a well-taken try by centre Brown created by a Jon Hobbs break, they suffered under pressure up-front from a stream of penalties against them. They reached half-time apparently out of touch, trailing by 5 – 20. 

The second half opened with Cranleigh continuing to press hard and Freemen’s withstanding the siege with some resilient defence, snuffing out the waves of attack.  

Freemen’s then hit a purple patch for fifteen minutes. Exhilarating interplays brought  two tries and several near –misses and suddenly Freemen’s were only three points adrift. Vice-captain Smith, at centre, was on hand after Williams and Gotto switched direction and he carved through for the first, a spectacular somersault en route, before touching down under the posts. Hobbs converted. 

Number 8, Tom Fair continued an aggressive period, touching down next after Freemen’s forwards poured through an attacking line-out in the left-hand corner.  

As Freemen’s saw more possession, Williams from full-back worked with Neil Brent and Oli Gotto to explore the open spaces and the visitors ran at Cranleigh from deep and wide. One scything run took him to within two metres of scoring but he was unable to control the final pass. From the turnover, Cranleigh countered back upfield and their speedy full-back broke through for a try in the corner. 

In the closing minutes, play swung from end to end but the night before took its toll on Freemen’s energy reserves and they concede a final try in the closing minute of an entertaining match.     

Freemen’s:            Williams; Brent, Smith, Brown, Gotto; Hobbs, Owen; Coyle, Telford, Mills (Winch), Beech, Hutchison, Barnett, Fair (Tyrrell), Butterfield (captain). Sub Turk.

Freemen’s second team won their Merit Table game at Kingston by 30 –15. Tries came from Tom Acton (2), James Crow and Barney Hesketh, with kicks by Jem Davies (2 penalties and 2 conversions).                                                    

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Old Tiffinians - 13th March 2004 - by Roger Seymour

Old Freemen’s            28           Old Tiffinians            13                   

The forwards were the rock on which Freemen’s built their 28-13 win in a thoroughly absorbing and bruising Surrey 1 contest at Ashtead Park on Saturday.

 Two tries, by Chas March and Dom Smith, in the dying minutes finally put Freemen’s out of reach but, until then, the result was in the balance as two equally matched teams slugged it out. Freemen’s fitness and tactics bore fruit in the final quarter as they turned on the quality.

 Tiffinians are traditionally a strong side and Freemen’s have frequently been on the wrong-end of a hatful of points against them. The fact that Freemen’s came out on top this time was testimony to the hard graft by their pack and some dynamic tackling throughout the team.

 Individuals are difficult to single in such a physical contest but the front-row of Paul Coyle, Ben Telford and John Winch were tireless as they gained the upper hand up front. A blend of experience and youth, splendidly led by skipper Richard Butterfield, saw Jimmy Hutchison and Paul Wilson combine skilfully with their seniors Chas March and Malcolm Beech.

 An early injury to Jimmy Williams brought Andy Owen into scrum-half with Dom Smith moving to the centre. Owen varied the plays intelligently and Smith quickly slotted in alongside the experienced Andy Holder and Steve Winslet.

 Freemen’s trailed 10-13 at half-time, Richard Turk’s gliding try converted by Winslet and a Holder penalty keeping them in touch.

 They quickly took the lead at the start of the second half when the storming Telford found his captain alongside him and Butterfield crashed over for a try in the corner.

Winslet added a penalty with 20 minutes to go. By now the forwards were on top in the set pieces and some 60 metre touch-finders from the siege-gun boot of Winslet and rapid chasing by the back three kept up the pressure.

 Tiffinians tried to break the increasing stranglehold but Freemen’s were smashing down break-outs before they became dangerous. The two tries grabbed at the close came from the pressure as Tiffinians eventually yielded and were the icing on the cake for the good-sized crowd, completing one of Freemen’s best all-round displays for some weeks.

 Freemen’s:            Gotto; Brent, Williams (Owen), Holder, Turk; Winslet, Smith; Coyle, Telford, Winch (Mills), Beech, Wilson (Acton), Hutchison, March, Butterfield (captain).

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Pelhamians - 28th February 2004 - by Roger Seymour 

Old Freemen’s            43            Pelhamians  7         

Old Freemen’s recaptured some form with a convincing 43 – 7 win against Pelhamians at Ashtead Park on Saturday.  Pelham were strong in the tight and extremely competitive but Freemen’s confidence in possession produced some delightful combinations between backs and forwards. 

The back-row of Chas March, Tim Barnett and Richard Butterfield gave scrum-half Dom Smith a comfortable ride as he combined with Steve Winslet to set their free-running backs loose. The score should have been bigger but for some desperate and sometimes questionable last-ditch tackling by the visitors. 

The game was only two minutes old when March ripped the ball out from Pelhamians hands and crashed over in the corner. Malcolm Beech’s stolen line-out set up a try for Jon Hobbs after a deft switch with  Winslet, who then created the space for Jimmy Hutchison, at centre for the day, to cruise in for a try from 30 metres. Winslet slotted the first of four conversions.   

Pelhamians’ hard graft up front was rewarded with a converted try but Freemen’s replied promptly when full-back Oli Gotto roamed upfield before releasing Barnett on a run that ended in a try, but not before he had thrown a show-stopping dummy to the defence. 

Turning round 24 – 7 ahead, Freemen’s became over-elaborate until Rob Tyrrell collected a brace of no-nonsense tries in the final quarter. A penalty try awarded when  Richard Turk was strangled in the act of going over for a try was the Old Boys only other score of the half. Tim Barnett was again the Freeman of the Match. 

Freemen’s:            Gotto; Brent, Hutchison, Hobbs, Turk; Winslet, Smith; Coyle, Telford, Barnard, Beech, Tyrrell, Barnett, March, Butterfield (captain). 

Freemen’s 2^nd bade farewell to Neil Mackie, captain for the day, but were unable to provide the happy ending, losing 20 – 39 to Alleynians. Tries by scored by Nigel Miers and Charalambus, with two penalties and two conversions for Jem Davies. Tom Acton was Freeman of this match.

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Warlingham - 21st February 2004 - by Roger Seymour

Warlingham                 42             Old Freemen's                     13

On a raw afternoon at Warlingham, a much-changed Old Freemen’s line-up started cold against a side desperate for a win and were never able to gain the initiative, apart from a couple of consolation tries in the final quarter, sliding to a 13-42 defeat. 

Freemen’s were unsettled from the outset by a lack of maps and alarm clocks and an untimely break-in. Skipper Richard Butterfield was put in an invidious position, struggling to identify his starting line-up as several of his players straggled in just ahead of the kick-off time.       

Warlingham rewarded their packed Golden Oldies reunion with a display of urgency and good skill that brought five tries in the first half as Freemen’s tried to find some cohesion. A Jon Hobbs penalty was their only score to counter the 27 points collected by the home side before half-time. 

After leaking another try at the start of the second half, Freemen’s restored some pride  when quick-witted Jon Hobbs took advantage of Warlingham’s failure to ground a loose ball behind their try-line and pounced for a try.   

Warlingham compounded Freemen’s misery with two further tries before back-row Paul Wilson scored a try to make a more respectable scoreline of 13 – 42.   

Freemen’s:            Gotto; Brent, Catlin, Davies (Telford), Turk (Owen); Hobbs, Smith;  Winch (Mills), Hesketh, Emerton, George, Tyrrell, Barnett, Wilson, Butterfield (captain). 

Freemen’s 2^nd celebrated the return from injury of Ronnie Gummer with a 27 – 17 win against Lightwater. The combined Old Freemen’s / Effingham 3rds lost  a close tussle with Farnham 5^th by 17 – 19.

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Streatham / Croydon - 14th February 2004 - by Roger Seymour.

Old Freemen’s            39            Streatham/Croydon              0         

Old Freemen’s overwhelmed struggling Streatham / Croydon as they piled up 39 unanswered points in their Surrey Division One clash at Ashtead Park on Saturday. 

Sparks flew frequently as the visitors battled for parity but Freemen’s dominance was total. A try-feast for the backs, with two tries apiece for wings Oli Gotto, on debut, and Neil Brent and two for centre Jon Hobbs, eventually put the seal on a majestic display by half backs Dom Smith and Steve Winslet.  

The backs grabbed the glory but Freemen’s forwards provided a rock-solid platform in snuffing out their opposite numbers. Malcolm Beech at his soaring best latched on to Jonny Stainer’s pin-point line-out throws and James Hutchison confirmed his potential with a maturity growing with every game.    

Streatham’s lively start was rapidly repelled after five minutes when Hobbs scored a try in the corner after another powerful Chas March incursion.  

Freemen’s then camped in their opponents’ half but had to bide their time as Streatham tackled hard and Winslet took a while to find his kicking boots. This he did on the half hour with a penalty and the stage was then set for the floodgates to open. 

Brent heralded half-time with a try in the corner ending a move started from a line-out and involving March, Richard Butterfield and full-back Jeff Haywood.  

Leading 13 – 0 at the turn, Smith busied himself around the fringes to keep the supply-line open. Ben Telford bull-dozed his way forward at centre and frequently found the awesome presence of man-of-the-match Rob Tyrrell alongside at shot-gun. Streatham were stretched. 

On the down-side, Haywood was playing one of his best games for the Old Boys when he suffered a serious hamstring injury, likely to result in a lengthy lay-off.    

Three sumptuous second-half tries on the right wing, each one a gem in its own way, and a rousing final-minute run down the left by Gotto, completed by Winslet’s touchline conversion, gave the Freemen’s clubhouse a satisfying glow and a 39-0 winning scoreline.

Freemen’s:            Haywood (Wilson); Brent, Telford, Hobbs, Gotto; Winslet, Smith; Winch (Goode), Stainer (Owen), Coyle, Beech, Tyrrell, Hutchison, Butterfield (captain), March. 

Law Society 2^nd/3^rd proved too strong for Freemen’s combined XV who lost by 5-43. Richard Dartnell at fly-half was the Freemen’s try-scorer, Barney Hesketh Freeman-of-the-match.  On Saturday Freemen’s travel to struggling Warlingham in Surrey One action.

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Dorking XV - 7th February 2004 - by David Harn.

Dorking XV        20        Old Freemen's        19

Players from Dorking's first and second teams played host to Old Freemen
with a rearranged fixture due to the OF opponents for the day having to play
a rearranged league game.
The game at Dorking was played at a fast and furious pace with thumping
tackles being made by both sides. Dorking playing with the wind in the first
half were unable to capitalise on the advantage, and were down 3-6 at half
time.
In the second, very long half, the OF started to put together some very good
passages of play with the forwards and backs linking well. Dorking had a
number of attacks stopped short of the line with stubborn OF defence, but
were able to convert a penalty .
A try by Slaughter after a fine period of play took the OF  clear and
Haywood, given the kicking duties for the day, converted. He then kicked two
fine penalties and OF were 6-19 in the lead and going well.
In the last ten minutes the OF first lost their open side flank forward and
Dorking scored under the posts, and then lost their inspirational captain
Butterfield playing blind side, and Dorking  scored wide out, which was
converted with a fine kick, which proved to be the last of the match. .

Freemen's:  Slaughter, Brent, Haywood, Telford, Turk, Smith, Owen, Winch,
Stainer, Coyle, Beech, Tyrell, Barnett, March, Butterfield(Captain) Hobbs,
Wilson.

The second XV lost 14-5 to Old Walcountians BUT after weeks of effort the OF
with Effingham were able to field a third XV which beat an Old Walcountians
side 65-0.
Next week Old Freemen are back in league action with a fixture at Ashtead
against Streatham and Croydon which they need to win to ensure their safety
in Surrey 1.
Before the fixture there will be a Past Players and Friends lunch in the
Club house, starting at 12 noon.

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Old Emanuel 2nd - 31st January 2004 - by Roger Seymour.

Old Freemen’s            32            Old Emanuel 2nd             7         

Freed from League pressures, Old Freemen’s produced an entertaining dry-weather game in difficult conditions on Saturday at Effingham, triumphing by 32-7. Referee John Vale was in a bullish mood that was much appreciated by the players of both teams. 

Originally listed for Ashtead but cancelled due to adverse conditions, this fixture was rescued by the ‘Spirit of Rugby’. Effingham generously provided a playable pitch for their Surrey compatriots. All clubs currently struggle to find players, and Freemen’s are no exception but it was reassuring that their starting line-up included eleven former pupils of the School. 

Four first half tries put them beyond reach but Emanuel stuck to their task, scoring one and conceding only two further tries after half –time.  John Hobbs opened Freemen’s account with a try built on the pressure of his forwards, before skipper Richard Butterfield and Chas March started a move leading  to a try for Jeff Haywood.  

March was also influential in the third try by Andy Holder and then continued his one-man demolition mission as he won the ball in his own 22 and set-off a sweeping ten-pass move across the pitch and back again that ended in Andy Slaughter cruising into the corner. 

With a 20 point first half lead and playing into the gale, the stage was set for Rob Tyrrell to make an impact as replacement. The big man grabbed two tries, one converted by Hobbs, as Freemen’s eased to a welcome 32-7 victory. 

Freemen’s:            Holder; Slaughter, Haywood, Telford, Turk; Hobbs, Owen; Winch, Stainer, Barnard, Beech, Hutchison, Butterfield (captain), March, Barnett. Subs. Tyrrell, Smith, D., Coyle, Pepper.  

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Old Cranleighans - 24th January 2004 - by Roger Seymour

Old Cranleighans            14            Old Freemen’s            12       

Before the visit of Old Freemen’s on Saturday, Old Cranleighans had won only one League game and were in the relegation zone. Freemen’s were on a bit of a roll and expecting to consolidate their mid-table position. They came away ruing missed scoring opportunities in a 12-14 defeat, a game they will be pleased to put behind them. 

In a first half punctuated by errors and whistle, amid a bewildering confusion of blue and gold hooped shirts, OC’s threw the kitchen sink at lacklustre Freemen’s. Their evasive and very effective fly-half Jonny Wright was the key to their performance and Freemen’s were unable to nail him down. The penalty count was high but Freemen’s only opportunities to kick at goal were long-range as the pack struggled to keep play in OC’s 22. 

By the time Freemen’s re-grouped at the halfway stage, they were frustrated and, worse still, trailing by eleven points, three of which arose from unforgivable but understandable back-chat.  

The second half started more satisfactorily for Freemen’s with a flowing back move  from Steve Winslet and well-timed passes and deft handling by Jeff Haywood and Jimmy Williams. Williams released speedster, Neil Brent, hugging the touchline and crossing in the corner before touching down under the posts for Winslet to convert. 

OC’s eased further ahead with a penalty but Freemen’s were hitting their straps by now. John Hobbs was unlucky to be brought back for a Freemen’s scrum when clearly through to score. Several close calls including Chas March, Jon Stainer and John Winch ended just short of completion but Jimmy Williams scored a fine try after good work by Rob Tyrrell and Brent. Freemen’s touchliners sniffed victory but OC’s were desperate for the League points and held firm. 

Freemen’s:            Williams; Slaughter, Haywood (Hobbs), Telford, Brent (Turk); Winslet, Owen; Winch, Stainer, Barnard, Beech, Hutchison(Tyrrell), Butterfield (captain), March, Barnett.  

On a bad day for Freemen’s, their seconds lost 10-31 to Old Tiffinians at Ashtead Park. Jem Davies hit a conversion and a penalty, Mike Von Speyr scored a try and Tom Acton was Freemen’s man of the match. 

Freemen’s will hold another Clubhouse lunch for spectators and former players on 14^th February (12.30p.m.), before their next League game against Steatham/Croydon.                                        

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Croydon - 17th January 2004 - by Roger Seymour

Old Freemen’s             36                    Croydon        0

When Freemen’s prop John Winch latched on to Andy Owen’s sharp pass for a try in the first five minutes, he set the scene for a comfortable 36-0 win over Croydon on Saturday at Ashtead Park.    

As often the case, the early score saw Freemen’s initially sit back on the lead and Croydon, the new identity of Shirley Wanderers, fought well to keep in the game, but they were unable to trouble the scoreboard. 

The Old Boys experimented with Dom Smith at fly-half and he thrived on the good service and all round game of the confident and tidy Owen. There was plenty of good running and handling from both sides but the only other score of the half was a somewhat generously-awarded penalty try, which Jeff Haywood converted, making it 12-0 at the turn. 

Skipper Richard Butterfield has started the new year in great form and put in another fine display, driving Freemen’s from the front with incisive running, supported at close quarters by Tim Barnett and his other trusted forwards. The backs have become more unified through consistent availability and enjoyed an open game with a chance to try out some of their pre-planned moves. 

In was nearly deja-vu at the start of the second half but Winch just failed to ground the ball to round off another storming blind-side break. From the resulting scrum, Jimmy Williams coasted in for a try. Haywood converted. 

Freemen’s then took control of the game and Jonny Stainer looked particularly hungry. He scored a try from centre, and set-up another with a silver-service pass for Ben Telford after a run from half-way.  Butterfield capped a satisfying afternoon scoring a try himself just before the close, converted by Haywood. 

Freemen’s:            Williams; Turk, Haywood, Telford, Brent; Smith, Owen; Winch, Stainer, Barnard, Beech, George, Butterfield (captain), Hutchison, Barnett.  

Freemen’s seconds beat Purley John Fisher 22-5 at Ashtead Park. Tries came from man of the match Andy Catlin, Rob Tyrrell and Tom Acton. Andy Slaughter landed two conversions and one penalty.  

On Saturday, Freemen’s visit Old Cranleighans in Surrey 1 action (kick-off 2.15).

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London Exiles - 10th January 2004 - by Roger Seymour

Old Freemen’s             41            London Exiles            5

Old Freemen’s notched their first-ever victory over London Exiles in a resounding start to the second-half of their Surrey 1 season at Ashtead Park on Saturday.

It took only six minutes before Freemen’s were sending the Exiles back down Main Street, inspired by new shirts from sponsor VolkSpeed Engineering and a good-sized crowd. A powerful Steve Winslet break found Jimmy Williams and Chas March in support, before Winslet re-appeared as the extra man on the right to score the try.

Winslet added a penalty but Freemen’s then eased back slightly. For a period Exiles stretched the Old Boys’ defence, only to see their hard work undone after half an hour by an opportunistic interception by Williams on his own line. He held the lone chaser at bay as he set off upfield and ten seconds later Freemen’s were a further five points ahead, to which Winslet added the conversion.

Freemen’s continued playing some expansive rugby with good interplays between backs and forwards. The back-row of skipper Richard Butterfield, March and Tim Barnett were back to their attritional best and scrum-half Dominic Smith was especially sharp. Winger Richard Turk finished off some brilliant handling with a try on the point of half-time, converted by Winslet.

Exiles set about clawing back the 22 point deficit with a try just after the re-start, but Freemen’s had discovered a new confidence and were in a rich vein of form that ran throughout the team.

A sniping try by Smith was followed by debutant James Hutchison, just on for Ian George, scoring with his first touch. He followed this with some jarring tackles and good support play that kept the crowd on its toes. Williams scored his second try and Winslet added two conversions, to complete a very satisfactory outing for the Old Boys, deserved victors by 41-5.

Freemen’s:            Williams; Turk, Haywood (Wilson), Telford, Brent; Winslet, Smith; Winch, Stainer, Coyle (Goode), Beech, George (Hutchison), March, Butterfield (captain), Barnett. Subs.

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 Young Freemen’s   20   Old Freemen’s XV     34  -  27^th December 2003 - by Roger Seymour 

After a spirited and entertaining match, in which the players’ commitment was reminiscent of old playground tussles, the packed Clubhouse buzzed as if it was World Cup Final day again. There were a few notable absentees, e.g. Stainer Snr, but the OF’s Aussie contingent were set to reunite like there was no tomorrow, and Wilson’s mob proved that they had come of age!  

In summary, excellent socialising by all associated with ‘Team Freemen’s’. We hope everyone enjoyed themselves and that you will all come back again soon for some more.

Resurrecting the philosophy of the ‘Over-30s / Under-30s’ matches from Boxing Days of yore, Paul Wilson had worked wonders to assemble a strong team of his recently departed CLFS chums to try to de-frock his current team mates at Old Freemen’s RFC. 

Despite the inclement conditions, both teams rose to the challenge with some attractive rugby to entertain a sizeable crowd escaping the shops! The London Society referee summed it up at the end by praising both sides for their commitment and quality of the play. 

The Old Boys used their physical presence and the elements to build a 22-0 half-time lead, with tries by Jimmy Williams (?), Gary Mills, Steve Winslet and Rob Tyrrell, and one conversion by Winslet. 

Some Sven Goran Ericson-like substitutions at half time, allowing everyone to have-a-go, brought a further Old Boys’ try converted by Jem Davies, before the Young Freemen’s made use of the elements and their superior fitness to mount a come-back. A sharp dropped goal, three tries and a conversion gave them the second-half advantage by 12-20. A David Duke’s try in the final minutes settled the Old Boys nerves, and made the 34-20 final scoreline.                                        

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Old Amplefordians - 6th December - by Roger Seymour

Amplefordians      50     Old Freemen's     10

Old Freemen’s faced an Amplefordians side in irresistible form and slipped to a 10-50 defeat in Surrey One at Dulwich on Saturday. Despite the score-line, Freemen’s showed dogged character and persistence against well-drilled opponents.

The first half was evenly contested as Freemen’s used the following wind to good effect. Steve Winslet’s huge touch kicks, supplemented by his opportunist interception try, reinforced a spirited performance by a team that had not played for three weeks. 

The home side had not lost a League game for over two years and the brilliant interplays between forwards and backs stretched Freemen’s defensive efforts to the full. Tim Barnett battled away in the loose to secure some possession but every player needed to dig deep to keep the visitors in touch.

The half-time deficit was only 5-17, three tries to one, but Amplefordians stamped their superiority on the second half with five further tries, four of which came in the third quarter of the match. Their expansive play drained Freemen’s forward efforts with the result that they were unable to provide any quality ball to their backs.

Freemen’s stuck to their task and were rewarded during a purple patch towards the end when Andy Slaughter dived over in the corner to finish off some fine handling by Dom Smith, Rob Tyrrell, Jon Hobbs and Barney Hesketh. This was only a glimpse of what might have been.        

Old Freemen’s: Slaughter, Haywood, Hodges, Hobbs, Turk (Von Speyr); Winslet, Smith; Winch, Hesketh, Stainer, Tyrrell, Wilson (Barnard), Barnett, Butterfield (capt), Telford.  

On a bad-hair Saturday, in the Merit Table an Alex Tribick try was Freemen’s II only score in a 5-60 demolition by Old Caterhamians II. www.oldfreemens.co.uk     

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Law Society - 27th November - by Roger Seymour

On Saturday, Old Freemen’s home fixture in Surrey One was called off at the last minute as the home side were warming-up in the driving wind and rain. Opponents the Law Society did not turn up, failing to honour the fixture despite a week of negotiations.

This week, Freemen’s travel to Dulwich for a Surrey One fixture against Old Amplefordians, whilst the seconds are at home to Caterhamians in the Merit Table.  

Kingston - 15th November 2003 - by Roger Seymour

Freemen’s II went down by 15-38 at Battersea Ironsides. Tries came from the returning Bill Smith and from Nigel Miers, with a conversion and penalty by Jem Davies.

Kingston - 8 November 2003 - by Roger Seymour

Old Caterhamians - 1 November 2003 - by Roger Seymour

For those who couldn’t attend, we experienced a great pre-match lunch occasion on Saturday, rounded off by a stonking game that saw OF’s victorious. Then the bar re-opened…..

On Saturday, Freemen’s travel for Surrey 1 action against Kingston (kick-off 2.30 p.m.). www.oldfreemens.co.uk                                   

Old Reedonians - 25 October 2003 - by Roger Seymour

Reed's Weybridge            10            Old Freemen's            33

Played on Saturday 25^th October 2003 at Whiteley Village.

Old Freemen's outstanding first-half display of 30 unanswered points put them well out of reach of Reed's Weybridge. Against their oldest rivals, Freemen's ended victorious by 33-10 in Surrey Division 1 on Saturday at Whiteley Village.

It was an entertaining but sparky encounter for the League points and the Gibbs' Cup  between rivals with a healthy respect for each other, gained over many years of rugby challenges. The referee and the captains ensured that a fierce contest was prevented from spilling over too far into darker territory.

Reed's started strongly with the powerful left wing Gelpie causing some early scares but Freemen's defence was alive to the risk. Flair and invention soon came to the fore in Freemen's entertaining display that included two tries by Marcus Hodges and one by Jimmy Williams, all converted by Steve Winslet, who also landed four penalties.

Hodges' first try after 20 minutes was a 20 metre cruise to round-off the driving work of Rob Tyrrell and Chas March. Winslet collected brilliantly off his toes and supplied the scoring pass to his centre.

As Reed's were re-grouping from this score, a fortunate bounce on half way found Williams in space and he set off on a solo run that ended with him crossing the try-line under the posts.

In the back-row, Freemen's skipper Richard Butterfield, with March and Paul Wilson, linked well with scrum-half Dominic Smith, in fine form. Ian George and front-row men Paul Coyle, Jon Stainer and John Winch kept up the pressure as dust-clouds in late-October frequently obscured passages of play on a rock-hard surface.

With Freemen's twenty points ahead and Reed's reduced to fourteen men by the sin-binning of their flanker, half-time was approaching. Hodges took off from his own 22, carving through the Reed's defence and, with would-be tacklers on his back, crashed over for Freemen's third try. Winslet's third penalty made it 30-0 at half time.

After the re-start, Reed's bounced back when a well-worked forwards' try from a tap penalty caught Freemen's napping. Both sides traded attacks for the next 30 minutes and Reed's full-back Mike Gore scored their second try from another tap penalty, before the final whistle ended a rousing match. 

Old Freemen's: Williams, Tribick, Hodges, Telford, Haywood, Winslet, Smith, Coyle (Goode), Stainer, Winch, Tyrrell, George (Bird), Butterfield (capt), Wilson, March.  

Freemen's II won 28-15 at home against Reed's Weybridge II. Skipper Andrew Barnard enjoyed Freeman of the match, Neil Brent, creating a run-in try for Youseff, to add to tries from vice-captain Stacey Sheldon and Tom Acton. Jeremy Davies found the target with two conversions and three penalties.

On Saturday, a Clubhouse lunch (1 p.m.) for members, relatives, friends and crocked and former players precedes Freemen's Surrey Division 1 clash with Old Caterhamians (kick-off 2.30 p.m.). www.oldfreemens.co.uk  

Club XV - 18 October 2003

The report is under 2nd XV Match Reports

Battersea Ironsides - 11 October 2003 - by David Harn

Old Freemen's secured their first win of the season on Saturday at home to Battersea Ironsides in glorious conditions ideal for fast open rugby.

Ironsides kicked off and the pace of the game was frantic for the first twenty minutes with Freemen's mainly on the back foot defending against continuous attacks by the visitors. On one of the few visits to the Battersea half, Freemen's lost the ball in the tackle and Ironsides ran it back with good support play to score under the posts, easily converted.

Following this score and a stern talk from their captain, Richard Butterfield, Freemen's started to play some joined-up rugby, with the forwards driving through the middle. The backs tackled their hearts out and Steve Winslet turned the screw with some huge kicks out of hand. This pressure led to a Freemen's penalty just before half-time that was slotted by Winslet, making it 3-7.

The second half saw the game flow from one end of the pitch to the other with neither side able to capitalise on the half breaks. Winslet kicked a second penalty, before the spectators witnessed one of the most bizarre tries scored at Ashtead.

From broken play in his own 22, Winslet kicked the ball deep into the Ironsides half, whose full-back mistimed the catch and the ball ran loose. Jimmy Williams on the chase booted the ball on towards the posts. Ironsides' centre, attempting to fly-hack the ball over the dead ball line rattled the cross-bar, and the ball rebounded out in front of an astonished Rob McCreery who collected the ball and scored. All the spectators were asking for the action replay!!

Even after such a score, Battersea still kept trying to break the Freemen's defence. With Winslet's relieving kicks lifting his forwards, there was no way through and in their frustration Battersea gave away a penalty that Winslet converted, making it 14-7.

Freemen's have been showing signs of promise over the previous weeks, and this was a good team effort and something on which they can build.

Freemen's: Williams, Hodges, McCreery, Telford, Turk, Winslet, Smith, Coyle, Stainer, Winch, Beech, George, Butterfield, March, Barnett.  

Old Wellingtonians - 4 October 2003 - by Roger Seymour

Freemen's were good in patches against Wellingtonians on Saturday at Ewell but paid the price of missed tackles and stray passes as they let in four tries in a 0-26 defeat in Surrey Division 1.

For much of the match Freemen's were equal to Wellington's efforts, but they just could not find the shape to create any scoring chances, apart from a couple of missed penalties in the first half.

Conceding a converted try in the opening five minutes was not the start that skipper Richard Butterfield expected of his team, playing into the wind against a Wellington side that was fluent and fast.

It was a tough battle as Freemen's forwards succeeded in securing their own possession, but Wellington seemed to have more space and time. Prop Paul Coyle, at his disruptive best, with Malcolm Beech and Butterfield, caused problems for the home side, and there were many promising signs of better understanding but it was too fragmented on the day.

With the home pack interfering to slow-down release at the breakdown, their backs were able to pick-out the Freemen's backs as they received the ball either standing still or going sideways. Dom Smith and Steve Winslet tried to create space but the moves faltered and the ball was lost, although Jimmy Williams and Richard Turk showed some good skills. Freemen's new line-up was too unfamiliar against well-drilled opponents.

On the half hour, Wellington stretched their lead to 14-0 with their left wing hugging the touchline from forty metres for a scorching try. Two further second half tries by the home side were a fair reflection of the match, but Freemen's are much closer to getting it right.

At Ashtead Park, a strong Freemen's seconds brought some cheer, beating Bromley 4^th by 41-3.

Old Freemen's:            Williams; Turk, McCreery (Hodges), Tribick; Winslet, Smith; Winch, Stainer, Coyle, Beech, Tyrrell (Wilson) March, Butterfield (capt), Barnett. Sub. Mills.

On Saturday, despite the distractions of the Rugby World Cup, Freemen's take on  Battersea Ironsides in Surrey Division 1 at Ashtead Park (kick-off 3p.m.). 

Old Emanuel - 20 September 2003 - by Roger Seymour

Enforced team changes by Old Freemen's proved too much to manage against Surrey Division 1 promotion-favourites Reigatians on Saturday at Ashtead Park. The visitors confirmed their title potential with seven tries in 49 unanswered points, which was Freemen's first blank scoresheet since February 2002.

Freemen's starting three quarters' line-up showed six changes from the previous week's team sheet, largely due to injuries from the rock-hard surfaces, and included the experimental move to centre by Rob Tyrrell. In the opening minutes they came close to crossing Reigatians' line, but that was about as good as it got!

While Freemen's struggled to get acquainted, Reigatians were firmly bonded and, but for some careless handling errors, the damage might have been more substantial. They attacked wide and fast and although Freemen's stuck to their task, it needed great strength of character not to cave-in. 27 points were steadily accumulated by half-time

and it was a measure of Freemen's efforts that the second-half only yielded a further 22 points.

In a torrid match for a debut by Freemen's young second row Paul Wilson, he showed strong promise and strove at the coal-face to help his more seasoned colleagues to hold back the tide. Chas March moved up to hooker after Neil Morrison injured his neck. At fly-half, Steve Winslet worked hard to create something from pressured possession but Reigatians were alive to Freemen's ploys and were rarely troubled.  

Old Freemen's:   Davies; Shires, Tyrrell, Youseff, Tribick; Winslet, Mackie; Winch (Gummer), Morrison, Coyle, Barnard, Wilson, March, Butterfield (capt), Barnett.

On Saturday, Freemen's go searching for their first win, travelling to Old Wellingtonians in Surrey Division 1.

Old Emanuel - 20 September 2003 - by Roger Seymour

Old Freemen's came close to causing an upset against opponents from a division above in a pulsating first round contest of the Powergen Junior Vase on Saturday at Old Emanuel. Defending a slim 23-19 lead, the home side remained solid in the dying minutes to deny Freemen's last-ditch attacks. 

Both sides entertained with attractive, fast-flowing rugby in the most trying conditions and the game was a tribute to the fitness levels of the players and the referee.

After the opening cut and thrust, Freemen's began to look slightly the stronger team. Until a stray boot ended his game after only fifteen minutes, hooker Jon Stainer had taken two against the head in the opening scrums and the back-row of Tim Barnett, Chas March and skipper Richard Butterfield were in rampant mood. With Dom Smith sniping at scrum-half, Freemen's traded attacks with Emanuel's strong-running backs.

Emanuel took the lead with a penalty, adding a try on the half-hour after a misplaced defensive boot upfield. Within five minutes, Freemen's were on the scoreboard.  March ripping away from a maul, drove into Emanuel's 22. Smith fed Jon Hobbs, who sliced, 'like a leper through a nunnery' (thanks to our loyal John Maddock for that quote!), past the defence to run-in from 20 metres and touch down. Jeff Haywood converted to produce a 7-8 half-time scoreline.

The early departure of Stainer had placed an immense burden on Freemen's remaining front-row but John Winch, Paul Coyle and Ron Gummer gave no quarter against their fresher opponents. They were impressive in their drive and commitment, right to the end of a gruelling match.

In the third quarter, Emanuel spread their game and stretched the lead to 7-18 with a penalty and a goal. Smith replied with a try from lightning break from 22, and Freemen's continued with midfield drives including Rob Tyrrell and Malcom Beech. An Emanuel breakaway try restored the 11-point gap, but Hobbs rounded off an impressive display, jinking past tackles to the line for his second try, converted by Haywood.

Trailing now by only four points and with five minutes left, Freemen's flung everything at Emanuel but could not breach the defence and a relieving last minute penalty left Emanuel victors by 26-19.        

Old Freemen's:            Williams; Haywood, Peskett, Bennion, Tribick (Van Dort); Hobbs, Smith; Winch, Stainer (Gummer), Coyle, Beech, Tyrrell, March, Butterfield (capt), Barnett.

Freemen's II lost at Reigatians' II by 5-31, although most of the home side's points came in the final quarter. Rob Reynolds was Freemen's try scorer.  

On Saturday, Freemen's tough opening to the season continues as they receive Old Reigatians in a Surrey Division 1 match at Ashtead Park (kick-off 3 p.m.).

Old Whitgiftians - 13 September 2003 - by David Harn

Old Whitgiftians 31pts Old Freemen's 20pts

Old Freemen started their league season visiting Old Whitgiftians and playing their match in the School on a pitch with a reasonable growth of grass.

OF kicked off and immediately felt the impact of one of the leagues top teams. They contained the OW but lost their continuity completely for the last twenty minutes of the first half allowing OW to pull away to a lead of 26-8.

The second half saw a much improved performance from the OF who took the game to the OW but were unable to make up such a large lead and eventually lost 31-20.

On three occasions OF camped on the OW line and were unable to break their defensive line. This season OF will need to turn territory into tries if they are to succeed.

Smith and Beech showed well and scored a try a piece and Haywood scored a try which he converted plus one penalty goal.

The showing by the OF gave heart to the many spectators.

Trial Game versus Raynes Park by  Jon Hobbs

The season began in earnest last weekend with a friendly match against Raynes Park, although both sides realised from the off that the words "friendly" and "rugby match" don't really go hand in hand. 

The match was split into three twenty minute thirds with Freemens starting the sharper of the two teams, Tyrell touching down for an unconverted try in the first 5 minutes. Raynes Park then snapped into life and with OF struggling to keep up to the pace of the game they came back with two tries. OF scored back through Brown after good pressure on the Raynes Park back division forced a fumble. However Raynes Park went on to win this third and the next. OF struggled to maintain possession for any lengthy spells but this was mainly due to isolated individual errors rather than a fundamental lack of ability. Adequate defensive alignment around the fringes and along the back line was lacking on more than one occasion and this allowed the Raynes Park team to break the gain line too easily.

The last third of the match was more promising for the old boys as they began to show some of the rugby the team are capable of. The forwards started to provide a steady platform for scrum-half Smith and good linking play from Butterfield and Barnett allowed the backs quality ball with which to practice some moves. Tries were scored by Hodges, Hobbs, Smith and Tyrell the most impressive of which came straight from a kick-off. The ball was taken by Bird who drew most of the onrushing Raynes Park forwards before off-loading to Butterfield crashing through two tacklers and showing good pace before passing the ball to Smith who out sprinted the opposition winger to the try line. Haywood fared well with the boot, landing all but one of his conversions. The fact that OF displayed their most productive rugby in the last twenty minutes hopefully indicates that some of the pre-season fitness work is showing results. The match was invaluable in providing OF some practice before next week's league match where team should be able to recreate the form they showed in the last minutes of this week's match.

After the match the hog roast went down a storm and with England blitzing the French a merry evening was had by all.

Pre Season Report

RUGBY UNION REPORT - OLD FREEMEN'S RFC 2003-4

Happy New Season to all our readers! Hope you have all renewed your subscriptions, updated your e-mail addresses and are fit and ready to go!....

If you are a new player, have changed your email address or have any different contact details please email tvandort@lineone.net so Theo can update your details.

After a satisfactory first season in Surrey Division 1, Old Freemen's first team are looking forward to a season of consolidation and improvement.

Despite rock-hard pitches (until I wrote this!) feeding doubts about whether games might be played, the Old Boys have been training enthusiastically under coach Jon Bower, with encouragement from Chairman David Harn.

Richard Butterfield is again first team captain and will be hoping for a more active contribution than last season from his vice-captain, Dominic Smith, who crocked  himself in the first game!

In the forwards, the tried and very trusted Malcolm Beech, Rob Tyrrell and Chas March look likely to bear a heavy load, with hooker Jon Stainer continuing his powerful displays of last season. The make-up of the backs (a little less blusher, please!) is less predictable but Freemen's supporters will be hoping for some entertaining and winning rugby from the team.

Andrew Barnard is back as captain of the seconds, with Stacey Sheldon as his vice.

As an experiment, and to ensure that all available players get a game, Freemen's are co-operating with Effingham & Leatherhead to field a combined third team, playing alternately at Ashtead Park and Effingham. A full fixture list has been arranged. 

There are several new faces on the Committee, but thankfully the Gummers will continue to make their invaluable contributions both on and off the field. The hard work of Alex Tribick must not be under-estimated, and who knows what a shambles we would be in without the graft of Theo Van Dort and his e-mails! Please ensure that you all co-operate with Pat Jenkins and pay your subscriptions without argument - why should you be the one not to pay when everyone else seems satisfied to be a true member of a great Club? It really is cheap rugby, so play the game and pay-up!

As our new President, the Club gives a huge welcome to an Old Freemen's former "Player Of The Year" (there were still deer in the Park!), Bill Deighton. This is a great opportunity for the School and the Old Boys to become even more closely linked.  The process has always been there, but with the welcome contributions from the latest influx of recent school-leavers, things look really optimistic. (Ref. Birdy's Easter Tour pics!)

The start to the season will be tough, notwithstanding the state of the ground. A trial match with Raynes Park on 6^th September, followed by a hog roast in the evening; and then League matches against Old Whitgiftians (13^th Sept) and Reigatians (27^th Sept), interrupted by a 'stroll' in the Junior Vase at Old Emanuel (20^th Sept).     

Let's try and keep the tradition of good crowds on the touch-line, but please DO NOT verbally abuse the officials or the opposition. I'll do my best!!

Keep Freemen's friendly!! Have a great season.                                              

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2nd XV Reports

Sat 18th Oct 03 - Kingston 3rd  33 - 12

Sat 27th Dec 03 - Old Freemen's XV v Young Freemen's XV -  33 - 20

Sat 3rd Jan 04 - Old Suttonians - won 29 - 0

Sat 10th Jan 04 - Old Alleynians - lost  3 - 63

Sat 6th March 04 - Old Reigatian - lost 12 - 20

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Old Reigatian 20     Old Freemen's 12 - 6th March 2004  - by Jon Hobbs

A mixed Old Freemen's side encountered an Old Reigatian 2nd XV on an
overcast saturday afternoon. Although Reigate had a cup match for their 1st
XV the next day a rumour was going around that they had kept a couple of
those players on the bench for this encounter. As it turned out they need
not have bothered, freemen's were as much responsible for their own downfall
as the opposition.

Both packs started strongly but freemen's dominated the territory in the
early stages without managing to come away with any points. The only
clear-cut opportunity being a missed penalty. Slowly but surely the
opposition began asserting their "bosh round the fringes" game-plan. Most of
the time Freemen's tackled strongly, Jon Bird ever-present at the rucks and
mauls to disrupt and knock back. Somewhat against the run of play Reigatians
scored their first try but missed the conversion.

The second half began as closely as the first, unfortunately OR's scored
first with a typical forward-orientated bosh try. This stirred freemen's
into points scoring mode when pretty soon after the restart a quick
free-kick caught OR's off-guard, Bambos Charalambous leaping higher than the
defenders to latch onto an up-and-under then offloading to Hobbs who found
Jimmy Williams racing up outside him to breeze under the posts. Minutes
later The Chin found some "anger-pace" (TM) to fly away from the opposition
centres from inside his own half then race away to score his second, not
before taunting the opposition covering defenders with a cheeky show of the
ball.  The conversion was missed and with the scores level it looked like
freemen's might be able to sway the game.

Some strong mauling from OR's resulted in Freemen's camping on their own
line for too long, the pressure eventually telling when OR's pushed over a
freemen's scrum to score an easy try. This was followed with a penalty
resulting in an eight point margin which proved too much for freemen's to
come back from.

Overall a very young OF line-up fared well against an older side who just
had a bit too much experience.

Then Ireland beat England so we all got drunk for different reasons.

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Old Alleynians 1st  v  Old Freemen's 2nd on 10th January 2004 -

by David Duke

2nd Team Old Freemen's faith was again rewarded by a 22 man turnout on an afternoon that will be remembered for more than one reason.

Firstly the fact that we got hammered by over 60 points (63 -3), Theo's air shot and the painful reality that we never actually got into their half.

When you arrive in a changing room with the likes of Van Dort and Acton, you can feel the electricity brewing in the air.

It wasn't long before the pre match warm up talk had begun. The silence was over, the war was beginning and we knew it. The seriousness was slightly broken when Theo decided to start cutting his toe nails with a huge pair of scissors that resembled a double bladed machete more than something that should be used for as delicate job as nail cutting. 

A huge piece broke from the toe and ricocheted in the direction of Acton sitting on the other side of myself. To all of our amazement,  the nail had got stuck in Acton's face where he had applied half a tub of Vaseline. I knew I was back for another week of Old Frees - truly hilarious and possibly the funniest thing I have ever seen. Tom then decided to start nibbling the nail which none us felt was necessary but he was hungry so it was allowed. 

The seconds looked weak and finished weak. Not many could say that they didn't play with their hearts, they tried and tried but were massively over run by a side that were stronger and more disciplined and never actually got out of their half until an opportunity came to kick at them due to the fact that another try had been scored. Even Dukes kick off failed to make the 10 yard line and was brought back for a scrum. Truly village standard of rugby.

The first half consisted of one penalty from the Frees and 5 or 6 trys from the opposition. Being pushed back in every single scrum certainly made the job of being a forward one that was less appealing.

With the multi talented Acton showing just how versatile player he has become, soon switched from loose head to No 8! Nothing was going to deter Acton from hitting and pushing with everything he had. He was the forward of all forwards and shined above his compatriots. His tackling was low and committed as usual. An outstanding player who performed measurably once again, in my eyes a true athlete and a well earned man of the match. The blood on his shirt said it all, "a blood Warrior" said one of the four spectators. Tom also went on to win the funniest comment of the game. Whilst carrying half the oppositions front row up the field (upwards slope and wind against), the cries from the base of this walking maul were repeatedly "on me, on me, on me!" We all knew Acton was at the base of it all and we would soon be seeing the ball.

First half whistles came as a relief. The entrance for Van Dort was again overwhelming as the Lamb sprung his way to the other side of the field. All 4 of the spectators clapped whilst shouting for the opposition to beat us more. The words of "we want 100 against the bas**a*ds, were clearly bellowed across the mist."

Theo's running and tackling was as committed as usual. However during the mid way part of the second half, Van Dort experienced what they call "the shanks" or "air time!". What the great man attempted was truly special. He had managed to throw the ball up in an attempt to punt it to the other side of the field but managed to clean miss time his kick somewhere in the region of about a foot in distance. If you look at your pc monitor width ways, that is the sort of distance he missed it by. Whilst the cries of "I drank too much red wine last night" came out, it was all too late. The Alleynians' centre had picked up the ball and scored it under the posts. It was time for all of us to go home.

However knowing the strengths and experience that you get with a player like Theo, he turned his anger into ability and decided to take on the opposition individually.  At one stage he was holding up about 6 forwards and two old Frees in an attempt to not allow the opposition to put the ball down. A phenomenal show of strength all in an attempt to stop the score from going from 50 - 3 to  55 - 3. 

Dukes only real moment came with a big tackle on the oppositions no 3. As the prop picked up speed breaking through the first line of defence, he was met by all 11.5 stone of The Duke. Drumsticks shaking he put his head down and did something he had never done before, a tackle! The cheers went up from Acton, it was like watching a baby walk for the first time quoted Accy.

When you send 15 men out that don't actually know each other names, one thing is for sure. If your front row consists of the names such as Farm, Bee Bee and Tamor, 1st and 2nd phase ball should be a guarantee. Good running and rucking from Bee Bee and composed captaincy from Farm. 

It is sad that after the loss of the Welshman because of  Woodward's' words 2 weeks back bringing immediate promotion to the 1st team, you couldn't help but think a gap had formed within this 2nd team squad. The cry's of bring the Welshman back were spoken before and after the match. Because of the professional he is, the crowds are convinced he will return to his origins and unite once again with the players that he loves so much. Bring back the chin I say.

OLD FREES - LIVE THE DREAM.

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FRIENDLY (by Roger Seymour)

Old Suttonians XV                        0            Old Freemen’s 2^nd XV       29

Played on Saturday 3^rd January 2004 at Northey Avenue.

Freemen’s emerged on top from a much-needed cobweb-blowing exercise against a robust Old Suttonians outfit at Northey Avenue on Saturday.

The players served up another entertaining game with several highlights, not least  captain Malcolm Beech, in Johnson-like form (Martin, not Boris!), and a handful of experienced cohorts combining with a fine selection of younger starlets. Freemen’s veterans, and the word is used guardedly as they are up there with the best, enjoyed the scampering presence of the younger players, in several cases barely half their ages! 

Despite spending 90 per cent of the first half in Sutts’ territory, a combination of shoddy handling, excellent defence and a couple of dodgy decisions about pile-ups on the try-line, yielded the amazing half-time scoreline of 0-0 – but it had been thoroughly entertaining, honestly! Beech was everywhere and Theo Van Dort, Richard Turk, Jeff Haywood, Jimmy Williams, Jem Davies and Mike Von Speyr enjoyed themselves with some free running from Neil Mackie’s reliable service.

The second half started with Freemen’s again pressing hard. Fly-half Andy Catling made space for a steaming break by Jem Davies to set up Barney Hesketh for the first try, converted by Davies.

Wholesale replacements made around half-time took a while to gel but the floodgates eventually opened in the final quarter. Ed Saycee was next on the scoresheet with a try converted by Davies. This was followed by the undoubted champagne moment of the match. John Winch arrowed in from at least 20 metres for a fabulous try, rounded off, to the vocal crowd’s delight, with a dive straight out of Ben Cohen’s handbook!      

Jimmy Williams and Jon Bird finished off with two tries, before the ref sensibly blew early due to an injury to one of Sutts’ gallant players.

Freemen’s:            Van Dort; Turk, Williams, Davies J, Haywood, Von Speyr (Catling), Mackie (Owens); Winch, Morrison (Tabbah), Coyle, Beech, Tyrrell (George), Reynolds (Bird), Hesketh, Wilson (Saycee).

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FRIENDLY (report by David Duke)

Old Freemen's XV                        33            Young Freemen’s XV       20           

Played on Saturday 27th December 2003 at Ashtead Park.

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Easter Tour 2004 Report

Easter Report 2004

Authored by various members of the RFC!

(this report is in Times New Roman as its easier for you to read!)

Thursday 8^th April 2004, (Cloudy but fine)

First full day for the advanced guard of Old Freemen’s who had ‘landed’ on the Wednesday. For many others it was a case of meeting at The Woolpack and seeing what turned up, and there were some surprises…..

Who dug up Andrew Wilby (and that pony-tail!)?, but how nice to see the lovely Kay.

Who allowed Chris Doherty to be on his own?

Grant Calvin was fortunately controlled by Veronica.

Why is Ringwood Beer so more-ish?

A much-welcomed surprise attendance by the brothers Van Dort, happily celebrating great news about their father’s health. Anthony was woken to the sound of beep beep from a mobile phone. It’s Theo at 5am. Quote, “I am so excited, I just can’t sleep”.

With all the smiles, hugs and kisses it was clear that tour excitement was brewing but nobody could have predicted the amount of hilarity that ensued over the weekend.

And then on to Sandhills for the first “Call to Allah”, via Winch’s ‘ Marshall’ amplifier. It went down well in the daylight! Not so good at 1 a.m., though, Dohers!

The first Committee Meeting and first outing for the dreaded rubber gloves and holey wooden spoons. We resolved a number of problems, not least stitching-up ‘Spike’ Hobbs to be captain in the potential blood-fest at New Milton on Saturday! Freemen’s also dominated the bar-area and spent a bomb at the House, which was to become a talking-point as the weekend progressed – until the call came to adjourn to ‘The Haven’. Ahhh, the Haven. Where else in the world can grown men shed their clothes, can you order a pint of top-shelf spirits and can sing and sing until the small hours of the  morning……..then return the next day to do it all again!!

Must have been a good night but I don’t really remember as the walls kept hitting me! I also had an altercation with the Beer Monkey who robbed me of all my money, erased my memory and when I woke up I got the distinct impression he’d used my mouth as a toilet.

Good Friday (Sunny but breezy)

Club Captain was not very well and very glad he wasn’t due to be playing rugby. Demolished Fiona’s cooked breakfast (an Easter Tour first!), and then saw it again! Lesson learnt for next year, start the day with a beer and not food, much more agreeable.

Fabulous BBQ at The Star (well done, Mrs. Gummer!) and a few gentle liveners, before the players were told that kick-off against Ellingham and Ringwood had been brought forward by an hour to 2 p.m., but the good news was that we weren’t playing the Ellingham Ladies. Tour Sock (Birdy) was in fine form on his way to collecting over £300 towards the drinking habits of a nation!  

Anthony and Gentlemen Jim met Peter in Unwins and straight away began working on their new film, ‘Escape from Ringpiece’.

Many thanks to Jenny Pearce from Ringpiece for allowing her pet pig Susan to be roasted and munched by a bunch of hungry rugby players in addition to the royal Wrong’un spotted in 70s attire.

Great to see Mrs. Butler and girls as emissary for Brian and nice of Mr. Brooks to spend a few days in this country!

Match Report – Ellingham 19 – Old Freemens 19

With the hangovers sorted out by the wonderful bbq at The Star plus a few hairy dogs,  Old Freemen’s took the field against Ellingham in brilliant sunshine. 

Ellingham had drafted in some ringers to meet their old rivals and a close and entertaining contest ensued. It was nip and tuck all the way – Ellingham scoring the first try before Freemen’s unleashed a Bison try from 40 metres to finish some scintillating work by Andrew Suttle, Jon Bird, and Neil Morrison. Jon Hobbs converted to give the Old Boys the lead.   

The hosts scored a dodgy converted try and then Freemen’s heralded half-time using the experience of Malcolm Beech to launch John Winch for a try from a line-out. 

12-all at half-time and everything to play for, Freemen’s younger players rose to the challenge of their robust opponents, impressing the large crowd of old sweats on the touchline.    

Spike Hobbs ran in a beautiful individual try that he converted at the start of the half but Ellingham bounced back with another dodgy converted try of their own, making it 19 – all, and neither team could break the deadlock. 

Freemen’s:            Van Dort; Brent, Davies,R., Tribick, Turk (Burns); Hobbs, Smith; Winch (Mills), Morrison, Gummer (Pepper), Beech, Tyrrell, Reynolds (Acton), Suttle, Bird

Well done to everyone who survived the match, beer festival, bouncy castle (thanks to Linda for avoiding it this year!), hog roast, etc. The beautiful thing about the beer tent is that there are just enough different tipples to taste them all then through the brain-fuddling nature of the cider, forget which one you liked best so have to try them all again!

And so to the evening at The Haven…...

Lots of happy people enjoying good company, a bit of singing and loads of beer.

Alex Tribick was on his stag tour and had somehow unshackled himself from his concrete rugby ball – he was looking a little smug, it has to be said, as he set up the first Court cases of the 2004 tour. 

And then he was interrupted by a young(?) woman!

The remainder of this passage is not fit for the web-site of a family-friendly rugby club. But I will offer you this...

Beechy in Jack Nicholson mode was so close to tethering the fine lady to the rugby ball.

Amazingly, Alex smiled all the way through. Brilliant acting! – or was it acting?

Easter Saturday (Cloudy but fine)

Golf at Meyrick Park, backed by music from the Oakmeadians’ 7-a-side competition. An amazing number of  23 Freemen’s golfers, several of who had just come down for the day. Good to see Chip Smith back in the fold.

Top 8 results:                         H’cap            Score

1.         Neil Brent                     18                  38        

2.        Chip Smith                    28                  38

3.        Dom Smith                    28                  37

4.        David Richardson        24                  35

5.        Neil Morrison                24                  34

6.        Julian Lamden              22                  33

7.        James Burns                19                   31

8.        Mark Austen                 24                   30

On to New Milton for some lively rugby against the backdrop of the hangovers! At the pre-match venue, Mrs. Smith was in fine form behind the bar, a situation brought about as the Manager hadn’t believed that we would take-in 70+ people for lunch!! 

New Milton’s squad of 20 seemed to have been warming up since Friday and seemed awfully keen to demolish a touring side on the wrong side of sober. An incredible team effort lead on by Captain Spike Hobbs saw some of the most inspired rugby of the season.

Match Report – New Milton 38 – Old Freemens 15

New Milton from Hampshire One were out to de-flower the “London Team” and proved too physical for our young, and by now slightly jaded stars, but what a fine performance Freemen’s put up. So many players came of age on this tour and, if New Milton had been drinking all night too, then we would have hammered them!

As it was, we had to settle for two great tries by Jimmy Williams and a conversion and penalty by skipper for the day, Jon Hobbs.

But what a great fight the lads put up – a credit to the Club and to Surrey One.

Freemen’s:  Van Dort; Brent (Davies,R.), Williams, Burns (Chugger), Turk; Hobbs, Smith; NM Guest, Bird, Pepper (Morrison), Beech, Tyrrell, Reynolds, Acton, Tribick (Miers).  

The Haven was hit hard on Saturday night, after a port moment, but not before Nick (Dr Death) and Sian Goddard had looked after the injuries of Tribick, Burns, Brent and, especially Lamden. He’s fine now and looking forward to joining us again next year!

Fortunately they have all lived to tell the tale. Mind you, they are still checking under Goddard’s caravan!

Excellent singing on Saturday (thanks, everyone!) where a quiet lad called

Jon Bower made his presence felt. Dodgems and Bison being Spiderman’d are lasting memories.

Court cases included Theo’s ‘gay’ tackle (read as you wish!), Bill Smith eating Laurie Gummer’s Easter Egg, Birdy losing his bird-cage, Sue’s SOHF, and several more that I can’t remember. All punishments were taken with the utmost dignity and grace, as is befitting of such a friendly tour.

The night at the pub ended well into Sunday with our noble youngsters being spoon-spanked at the request of the local ladies of ‘ill-repute’!   5 step run-ups were not an uncommon sight! Cue a very strange Sunday morning comprising many men comparing very sore behinds!!

Easter Sunday (Sunny and warm)

A glorious day (albeit a little chill wind). 

The crabs were hiding again this year which made an easy job for the judge. Thanks again to Ronnie Gummer for his baiting, Irene for her co-ordination and to Pat Gibbs for her prizes.

The fashion parade was the best ever, with the Pink Ladies, Nuns, Jake the Peg, Parrott, Hilary, Chicken and Bunny and Al Quaeda overshadowed by the Stagging Fairy, Tribick.  Dr. Fox’s Mum (Lillian) witnessed Freemen’s contributing £160 to Help A London Child, before she got drenched by the champagne celebration of the Fairy!

One of the funniest comments of tour came from the mouth of Richard (or is that Rebecca?) Turk who, upon seeing other drag acts parade up and down the make-shift cat-walk, blurted out “get off my patch you slag!”

As we repaired to The Haven at midday, Pat Lelliott led the girls’ choir and orchestra as they serenaded the draughts’ teams.

As always, there was some misbehaving on the ‘Hallowed Board’ but Chairman Barnard was in fine form and little escaped his eagle eye. Thanks are due to Stacey for the oysters! The next day a holiday-maker who recognised the Freemen’s group remarked that she’d never seen a funnier site than that of drinking draughts. It’s nice to know you’re not the only group of people who find force-feeding oysters to people whilst downing beer absolutely hilarious.

Commenting from the toilet, did anyone see the puke monster?

A poignant moment arrived when the young girls’ teams took to the bench. Talk about a trip down memory lane. A revisiting of Forwards (Gummer, Seymour, Wild) v Backs (Richardson, Law,)). Spooky! – topped off with a delicious mixture of  liqueur ice cream and Smarties).

‘JJB’ (Jill Bower) showed that it was not only Jon who is an alcoholic in the family. Aside from a scary moment when it was thought the French exchange student they had brought with them (why oh why?) had got lost, the Bowers really got into the tour spirit and fitted in like a bunch of tour pros rather than virgins. Tour doctors (Sian Goddard, [Spike and Richard Turk and Rob Reynolds]) held surgeries the NHS would be proud of.

Theo’s Flying School had it’s inaugural flight off the top of the phone box, and Freemen’s proved they could actually pull a bird if it was thrown at them! 

The marvellous Top Gun impression to the beautiful blond in the Saab came to an end when Brooks got into the front-seat and her man returned from the shop.

Having failed to shackle Tribbick’s beautiful, blonde “lady of the night”, Beech and Winch decided to settle for chaining together youngsters Bird and Turk. The tour party were split in opinion as to how long to leave them in the cellophane wrapped, stink-bomb infested phone box but as the tour classics they are fast becoming, they never stopped making jokes and were all smiles upon their remarkable break-out.

The Easter Egg hunt was great fun for the children, as ever, with everyone a winner.

The Club Captain’s champagne party passed noisily (only 40 empties),  complemented by Mrs. Haynes’ champagne soup and some skinny dipping by a brave few, and then it was back to The Haven, during which time we were told that we weren’t welcome on the caravan site next year (again!). Well done to Ronnie, who as the new official Tour Organiser had got us banned after only two weeks in his job! Almost New Labour-esque! (Have since found out that families will be allowed back!).

Easter Monday (sunny and warm)

Hazy memories of Monday’s picnic include the treasure hunt for Chugger’s clothes, buried on Hengistbury Beach as he swam, and Freemen’s choir on the ferry home, led in true pantomime mode by Joy. 

 And the headcount of 197 Old Freemen’s who had been involved over the whole weekend. That number doesn’t include the Chairman (David Harn) and Marion who got stuck in the M3 traffic-jam and couldn’t join us. Come for the whole trip next year, is my advice!

***********

Editor's note:

Thanks are due to everyone involved in a wonderful weekend.

You are too many to mention, but we’ll never forget. The Gummers are to be congratulated on their amazing pulling-power, organisation and sense of occasion. It just gets better every year. We are hoping to repeat it next year as long as Patrick realises how lucky he is to have us!  Do join us….. here’s to 2005!

Have a great Summer, (and check out the OF Cricket Club web-site from time to time).

Roger Seymour

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