Old Freemen's 2nd XV Reports 2008 - 2009 Season

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13 December 08 - Games Cancelled due to waterlogged pitches

By Tom Innes

The Old Freemen’s 1st and 2nd XVs are eager for their final pre-Christmas games this Saturday after last weekend’s games were lost to the weather.

The heavy rain last Friday and Saturday left the Old Boys with little option but to call off friendly fixtures against Cranleigh and Old Blues, with players left to watch Heineken Cup action on the clubhouse TV.

But it is hoped that the improvement in conditions will continue to allow the 1st  team’s home game with Farnham (kick-off 2.15pm) to proceed as scheduled. Farnham’s stint in the London leagues ended in ugly fashion last season, when the team were unable to compete with their London Four SW rivals, lost 18 straight games and were relegated.

But the team for whom England backs Jonny Wilkinson and Peter Richards played as minis have regrouped this year in Surrey One. To date they have won four of their eight games and will be looking for a win on Saturday to join Freemen’s on 10 points and go into the second half of the league programme in the New Year as contenders for promotion.

Farnham are also enjoying a successful EDF Junior Vase run. Having won 17-11 at Kent One side Dartfordians on Saturday, they are one of two Surrey One teams through to the last 32 of the national cup, the other being Chipstead, who won 11-5 at Eastleigh from Hampshire One.

Freemen’s supporters are hoping to see the welcome return of Richard Butterfield against Farnham after a long-running rib injury. ‘Butty’ is among the replacements while the facial injury suffered by lock Rob Tyrrell earlier this month sees a starting berth for Mark Fribbens. Chas March is back to lead the team from the back row in place of Tim Barnett. The back line sees two changes from the last game, centre James Reece and wing Rhys Warren-Evans replacing Matt Lister and Marcus Hodges.

Freemen’s 2nd XV travel the short distance to Ewell to play Old Wellingtonians in a Surrey Conference Division Two game. On paper this is a ‘top against bottom’ clash, but Wellingtonians have won three of the four games they’ve contested in the merit table this season and will be keen to prove the league table wrong.

On December 27 the traditional ‘unders/overs’ game will take place at Ashtead Park starting at 1.45pm, with 27-years-old having been determined as this year’s cut-off line between gnarled veteran and eager young pup.

29 November 08 - Old Reigatians Club XV 5 - Old Freemen's Club XV 17 (Away Friendly Game)

By Tom Innes

Although the run of consecutive international weekends can play havoc with player availability, one upside is that it does occasionally allow players from different levels within a club to take the field together.

A mix of first, second and third team players made up the Old Freemen’s Club XV for Saturday’s trip to Old Reigatians. The throw-back to the days of coarse rugby was emphasised with some organisational hitches that saw the team shirts left behind, and several of the squad getting lost en route to Reigate. Nevertheless Freemen’s were just about suited and booted in time for the early kick-off.

With 1st XV captain Chas March opting to play in the ranks for once, the 2nd team skipper Jon Reece was in charge, but his men had an early setback when possession was lost from a five-metre scrum and the home team seized the ball, and a 5-0 lead.

It was all level by half time, thanks to prop Alex Moodie’s galloping run to the try-line, and Freemen’s turned round optimistic of continuing their revival.

The visitors were able to control the game far more in the second half. John Ormrod scored a try from a fine chip-and-chase, and added the ‘extras’ (12-5) before a fine passage of controlled teamwork and handling resulted in a final score for pacy winger Rhys Warren-Evans.

With November now over Freemen’s face some important league commitments in the build-up to Christmas. The 1st XV travel to Bec Old Boys this Saturday, facing a host team who are second to Freemen’s on points difference at the top of Surrey One. After a break from league action on December 13, the 1st XV, sponsored by Volkspeed Engineering, round off the first half of their 2008/09 campaign at home to Farnham on December 20.

Freemen’s 2nd XV, sponsored by the Shehnai Restaurant in Ashtead, host Weybridge Vandals in a Surrey Conference league encounter this Saturday, while the 3rd XV hope to capitalise on greater player availability with a run-out against opposition to be confirmed. All players and spectators will be hoping for some good results ahead of the club’s talent contest which takes place at the OFA Memorial Clubhouse on Saturday night.

Saturday 8 November 08

By-line "by Roger Seymour, James Tremaine & Tom Innes!"

Old Freemen's A XV 10 - Old Rutlishians 's 22 (Home Friendly Game) &

Old Freemen's B XV 14 - Old Rutlishians 's 12 (Away Friendly Game)

Poor weather conditions made a lottery of any cohesive rugby at Ashtead Park for Saturday’s friendly fixture, but Rutlishians had bought more tickets in the desire-to-win stakes.

John Ormrod, again impressive at fly half, put Freemen’s ahead with a penalty. Thereafter, Ruts took and held on to the lead with two well-worked tries, as Freemen’s blend of first and second team failed to realise its potential.

Rob Tyrrell’s blasting run to score from 15 metres brought Freemen’s to within two points at half time (10-12) but Ruts scored twice more in the second half to take the spoils. Theo van Dort and Tyrrell both came within inches of scoring to get Freemen’s back into the game but Ruts defence held firm.

Freemen’s ‘B’ XV played well with a scratch team in poor conditions to register a 14-12 away win over their Old Rutlishians counterparts in another friendly. Playing in driving rain and a pitch that soon became waterlogged, Freemen’s tried to run the ball using the half back pairing of Bob and Jem Davies and a new centre partnership of Jon Bird, with a week off from Exmouth rugby, and Richard Hill. The forwards had to contend with a large Rutlishians pack that spent most of the game taking the ball through the forwards.

Freemen’s scored a well-worked try in each half, both through Richard Hill with conversions by Davies snr. Flying wing, Nick Oliver was also close to scoring but the referee adjudged that a pass had been forward. The response from Ruts was four penalties from their fly half and captain.

On Saturday, Freemen’s 1st team return to Surrey League action at home to Battersea Ironsides (provisional k.o. time 2.30pm). Ironsides lie fifth in Surrey One with seven points, just a point behind their hosts. Perhaps it would be overstating things to call the south London outfit a bogey side for Freemen’s, but they won both last season’s games – by margins of one and two points – and have not lost a competitive match against the Old Boys for five years. Skipper Chas March, scrum  half Dom Smith, flanker Tim Barnett and hooker Ben Telford – then playing at centre – are the survivors from a 14-7 Freemen’s win in October 2003.

The 2nd XV, joint top of Surrey Conference Division Two, return to competitive action this weekend with a trip to fifth-placed Croydon.

On November 22nd, Freemen’s will travel to the City of London to play the Honorary Artillery Company of Herts/Middlesex Division Two in the fourth round of the EDF Junior Vase.

Freemen’s: Hess, van Dort, Sowton, Wilson, Reece (capt), Ormrod, Owens, Mitchell, Tabbah (Robinson), Charalambous, Tyrrell, Fair, Moodie, Fribbens, Beeson (Acton S.).

28 OCT 08 - Old Freemen's 2nd XV 13 Merton 20 (Merit)

by Taymor Tabbah

The Mighty 2's succumb.

58 weeks, 406 days, 17 games, Over 20 hours,  492 points scored, 174 conceded & 1 unbeaten league triumph. The statistics speak for themselves. Jonathan Reece's Mighty 2's succumbed to their first league defeat in over a year at Merton.

The match started in spectacular fashion as Theo Van Dort crashed over with a 30 metre sprint to set the 2's to their 18th win surely? Merton game back with stubborn resistance and scored 2 quick-fire tries that had the 2's wavering at half-time.

A much improved second-half performance saw the Freemen's achieve much more secured possession & territory which was unfortunately not converted into tries, Jem Davies kicked 2 penalties to keep Frees in the fight at 17-13 but a late penalty for Merton finished the game off.

Beaten but far from defeated. Surrey Conference 2 watch out - you wouldn't like it when the Mighty 2's get angry & we fancy stringing a "few" wins together again.......

L.Walstow, T.Tabbah, I.Moodie (S.Acton), W.Millbourn (R.Slee), L.Gummer, B.Edwards, J.Reece, C.Cooper, A.Owens, J.Davies, T.Van Dort, J.Sowton, R.Hill, R.Reynolds (M.Barrett), T.Haywood

Subs: S.Gadd, P.Hurford, M.Jennings, J.Burns

11 OCT 08 - Old Freemen's 2nd XV 43 Teddington 17 (Merit)

by Jon Reece

The mighty 2s march on to their 17th straight merit league win.

The sun was shining, the moral was high and there was a little excitement in the air, the Captain Jon Reece would have been foolish to asume it was the anticipation of his return but in was in fact due to the hockey girls planning on being down the club house that night.

Needless to say we forgot about the potential the night had in store and focused on the task at hand. Teddington at home was never to be an easy game especially as the 2s undefeated record is actually starting to be acknowledged in this new league.

Straight from the kick off it was clear champagne rugby was the order of the day. The 2s started with such hunger to dominate possesion that the opposition were clearly not ready for this intensity from a newly promoted side. As such it was not soon until the 2s crossed the line for the first time. The forwards dominated loose play allowing the backs to use the quick ball to devastating effect. Thirty unanswered points was the result of a first half fluid in possession and of the verve we have seen all season (& other seasons).

Then came the second half.

Unfortunately talk at half time of running up a cricket score, was swept aside when Teddington scored three tries in rapid succession. The Mighty 2s were wavering - clearly the aforementioned hockey girls were in the hearts & minds of the 15 brave souls on the pitch already. Stern words from the ageless Jem Davies set the team to rights & finished off a hard win.

Special mention does indeed go to the scorers but also to Tim Beeson who dominated the line out with several steels against the head, in fact two trys resulted from these. Also the 2's back line was simply awesome, so much so that they have all been poached for the 1st next week. In particular Jon Wilson. There are rumours that he spends his weekday evenings bench pressing Bison to hone that left handed hand-off. Further information to follow.

Finally a huge thank you to Taymor for looking after the side whilst skips was getting up to mischief in Italy - Pompeii will never be the same again.

Well done lads I truly enjoyed being back.

Viva La Mighty 2's.

Tries: J.Wilson 3, Jo.Reece 1, J.Sowton 1, A.Catling 1, P.Horwood 1

Cons: Davies 4

C.Georgeo, T.Tabbah, G.Mills (I.Moodie), T.Beeson, W.Millbourn, M.Fribbens, Jo.Reece, P.Horwood (C.Cooper), A.Owens, J.Davies, A.Catling, J.Wilson, J.Sowton, R.Turk (N.Miers), Ja.Reece

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04 OCT 08 - London Media 24 Old Freemen's 2nd XV 41 (Merit)

by Taymor Tabbah*

Different personnel, same result.

A much altered team claimed The "Mighty" 2's 16th unbeaten league win in a row. The squad was stretched greatly due to a Veterans Tour, injuries & a failed satellite navigation system!

15 players turned up at Battersea Park expecting to breeze past a London Media side who had yet to clock up any points in the League. This belief was very swiftly put to the sword as both sides traded tries in what was the type of free-flowing Rugby that spectators of Old Freemen's 2nd XV have come to expect.

An awe-inspiring back three of a returning Jamie Webb (after a three season absence from Frees), Nigel Miers & Jon Hess set the cat among the pigeons that were ever present on Media's pitch. Hess deserves special mention for clocking up two tries, no mention of boring, boring play from him. All eyes were also on a returning Jonny Sowton (1 try) & the ageless Jem Davies ran the game with his spotless kicking (3 cons). Jessie Owens gave his usual effervescent performance & Andrew Catling seemed to have extra gas in the centre (there was talk of a Chicken Phaal the night before).

The faultless ballet that was the backs play was delightfully contradicted with sheer brutality of the pack. Our newly acquired shirts (Shehnai sponsored - try the Jalfrezi, it's a treat) bearly contained the powerful physicality of debutant Phil Horwood, whose performance was Chabalesque (minus the hair & beard). Clocking up two tries he was a candidate for M.O.T.M. Christian Georgeo (2 tries) & Tim Barnett put in the kind of performances that we all know and expect - simply awesome. Fribbens & Millbourn are making the line out there own in the league with the help of the unusually consistant throwing of Hooker Tabbah*. Iain Moodie grows with every game - could there be space for 2 Moodie's in a First's shirt? Only time will tell.

Finally extra special mention must go to James Wyld who was accosted into playing the night before over the aformentioned Chicken Phaal, by Mssrs. Owens, Catling & Tabbah*.

Viva La Mighty 2's.

C.Georgeo, T.Tabbah*, I.Moodie, W.Millbourn, M.Fribbens, T.Barnett, J.Wyld, P.Horwood, A.Owens, J.Davies, N.Miers, A.Catling, J.Sowton, J.Webb, J.Hess

* = unbeaten league Captain

20 SEPT 08 - Old Freemen's 2nd XV 34 Law Society 12 (Merit)

“Two’s” who would Valiant be, caused no disaster…

by Anonymous Poet

As the sun set on another Saturday in September,

The mighty twos gave us something more to remember.

As they arose from their beds that day, reality began to descend.

14 games won in a row – they had a record to defend!

Captain Taymor was aware of this; I saw concentration in his stare,

The margin for error was so thin, even thinner than his hair.  

Intercepted correspondence from the oppo revealed their true belief,

They expected to walk all over us, and our possession to be brief.  

With the atmosphere in the changing room, no way would this be true,

Especially with a certain Mr. Turk making his twos season debut.

Final words of inspiration came from Crane - all fired up to go.

“Be nice to the ref” someone shouts…… “Scrap that…the ref is Mooro”!

The whistle blows to begin the game and the intensity is high,

With early pressure from the mighty twos, soon came their first try.

Playing up the hill did not hold us back as Blacketer crossed the line,

An early try is what we needed, setting out a positive early sign.

Our defence was strong and well drilled, benefit from Thursday training,

Early season fitness was impressive, with no sign of anybody waning.

The forwards powered on up the park on the right side of the pitch,

Setting a platform which lead to a try from a champagne centres switch.

Skilfully Jem added two more, another fine kicking display,

Organised defence with Jessie talking, adding too opposition dismay.

Ormrod and Wilson scored two more tries and continued to harass,

Next came a try from Warren-Evans, that’s why we call him British gas.

Despite a generally impressive display, there is still room to improve,

We still have areas to build on and bad habits to remove.

Not getting complacent is the key, especially after a score,

This week we managed that and won twelve points to thirty four.

We are becoming a team who show character to the highest degree,

A team who shall inflict fear in all, and enjoy occasional poetry….

C.Georgiou, T.Tabbah, G.Mills, T.Beeson, W.Milbourne (I.Moodie), T.Ormrod, C.Blacketer, C.Cooper, A.Owens, J.Davies, R.Turk (T.Van Dort), J.Wilson, A.Catling, R.Warren-Evans, Y.El-Dada (C.Linsell)

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13 SEPT 08 - Old Freemen's 2nd XV 40 Old Walcountians 24 (Merit)

by Taymor Tabbah

BACK WITH A BANG! Jonanthan Reece's 2ndXV continue the unbeaten run...

By 4:30pm Saturday afternoon questions were floating around the Memorial Club house: "Can they do it again?", "Could they really be that good?" & more importantly "When's the next curry night?". The "Mighty 2's" started the season in very much the same fashion as they finished the last, with many of the usual faces in attendance on a spectacular day in Ashtead Park.

Within the first fifteen minutes Rhys Warren-Evans had lived upto his nickname. "British Gas" steamed over from 15 metres leaving the opposition floundering in his wake. The run was as effervescent as his celebration which drew some rather stern looks from Captain & Co.

Half way through the first half and after Captain Reece and Stalwart Bryn Edwards had notched up another 2 tries it became clear that Old Walcountians counted 14 forwards amongst there starting 15, as was evidenced by their game plan. The OFRFC front row were facing a torrid time leading up to half time, and after a brief talk it was decided that the new game plan was: "Lads, let's avoid scrums at ALL costs".

Throughout the second half the 2 teams traded scoring blows, with Reece and Edwards adding to their first tries, leading into the last fifteen, there was a genuine concern that Old Frees had allowed the larger opposition pack to exert their game plan. However the OFRFC's defensive organisation carried them through, largely down to Andrew "Jessie" Owens babbling on like a Jabberwocky. Anthony "Famous" Rouse added the custard on a fine performance, along with the ageless Jem Davies' 5 conversions to confirm the victory.

There was talk of a lucky Freemens performance - we all know better after 14 wins & counting. COME ON THE MIGHTY 2'S!!!!

C. Georgiou, T.Tabbah (G.Mills), I.Moodie, M.Fribbens, W.Millbourne, M.Bolton (S.Gadd), B. Edwards, J. Reece, A.Owens, J.Davies, J.Wilson (A.Catling), T. Ormrod, A. Rouse, R.Warren-Evans, Y. Al-Dada

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Pre Season Report 2008 by Tom Innes

After a solid first year back in Surrey Division One and some “hard yards” put in during pre-season training, the players of Old Freemen’s RFC are chomping at the bit for the start of the 2008/09 rugby season this Saturday.

Freemen’s travel to Croydon for their first league encounter, with hopes high of improving on last season’s sixth place after promotion in 2006/07.

The Old Boys head of playing James Tremaine said the club was “quietly confident” of a good season, and paid tribute to the work put in by the coaching team of Paul Hart and Simon Crane during July and August, ably assisted by fitness coach Sam Tomkins.

“There’s been a good turnout both at training and for our warm-up matches, and there are some new faces at the club as well as some people who are back in the area after university,” he said.

Freemen’s took part in a pre-season tournament at Haslemere before playing games against a Chobham squad and Old Wandsworthians.

The Chobham game saw 27 players see action on a day where the temperatures topped 80C. Tries from skipper Chas March and Reyno Norval kept the vistors in contention before Chobham eventually won 19-12.

A week later and the meteorological conditions had switched to heavy rain, but there were still 39 players kitted for action and Freemen’s eventually won by three tries to one with Jon Reece and Nicos Charalambous among the scorers.

Surrey One has four new clubs this season. Chipstead and Bec Old Boys won promotion from Surrey Two last year, while Farnham and Old Paulines, who meet this Saturday, both struggled at London Four level and were relegated.

The division is made up by Freemen’s, this weekend’s opponents Croydon, Old Caterhamians, Old Whitgiftians, Battersea Ironsides and London Exiles.

Fly half Wade Brunsdon is a key new face and will be looking to nail the kicks that regularly made the difference in a series of tight encounters last season. Threequarters James Reece and Matt Lister are back in contention while Freemen’s also have their usual strength-in-depth at back row which sees player-coach Hart selected at centre for the first game.

The Freemen’s 2nd XV start their season at home to Old Walcountians having been promoted to the Surrey Conference Division Two reserve league after going unbeaten last season. Playing numbers are strong, and the Old Boys will also be looking to have the 3rd XV in action before the end of September and playing regularly thereafter. Some of the more mature – in age terms anyway – players are also gearing up for the annual veterans’ tournament in Jersey which Freemen’s have graced for the past three seasons.

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