All change for the weekend… THIS SATURDAY IT’S LANCERS DAY!

There is bad news and good news. First off the good, we are all so good that we have managed to all win our games without a single kick or pass needing to be made as both teams have had their opponents cry off. The bad news is that leaves a small hole in our fixture window.

We have taken the opportunity to turn this into a bit of an opportunity for EVERYONE to get some game time and for everyone to play together. The plan is to have an internal game, kick off time 1pm, with a 12pm meet sharp. There will be two teams made up from the Southwark Lancers club. With a few small exceptions it will be 1s forwards with 2s backs and vice versa. This is a REALLY good opportunity to build FRIENDSHIPS with each other and play alongside different people. We are terming it LANCERS DAY. Everyone in the club is welcome, and everyone will get game time, even if you have not been selected for this weeks games come down with your kit ready to play!

After the game we will go down to the Apple Tree to watch the England game together, and will also have the monthly players meeting and awards. Those partaking, it will then be off for pub golf; there are also awards for best dressed golfer and best mo to date.

Can I emphasise this QUALITY rugby time, the teams on Saturday will be proper teams, captained respectively by myself and by James Munn. The games are to be taken seriously. We will change seperately and warm up separately. Hopefully it should be fun and a first class opportunity to showcase our abilities to each other. We are assuming that if you have said you are available to play and are on the team sheets you will be down unless you tell us otherwise!

This weekend… Matches, Players Meeting and Pub Golf

Another important weekend approaches; the 1s are at home, the 2s away. The 1s face our nemesis in RBS (the only team to beat us both home and away last year and who got promoted with us), while not believing that revenge is a healthy spirit it would be nice to beat them. The 2s are looking to cement their impressive second place in the league against Askeans II. This is a really important game as Askeans Is play in the league the 1s hope to enter next year so beating them would be a really good marker of intent. We have had a really difficult selection dilemma this week as have had an abundance of players to choose from. Apologies to those who we could not fit in, we have been lucky enough to get dispensation from Askeans to take extra subs though. We have tried to pick those who have constantly trained and played over the preceding few weeks. Those not chosen, please do still come and support us, either at home or away and join us after the game, we would really like to have been able to get everyone who wanted to onto the field. Role on next year and hopefully three teams!

After the games we are all meeting up in All Bar One at London Bridge for our monthly players meeting. We’ll be nominating Club Man of the Month and most Improved Player of the Month, along with short match reports from both captains and hearing from each who won man of the match. It will also be a really good opportunity to update you on some of the stuff that is happening around the club.

It is really important that as MANY of you get there as possible, we’ll be congregating from about 6pm but no doubt will liaise precise timings dependant on train time etc by mobile phone. This is really important opportunity where we can build a sense of community and identity around the club, not least as we do not have a club house so we need to work extra hard to help people feel they belong. The link for the all-bar-one is here:

http://www.london-se1.co.uk/restaurants/map/1/all-bar-one

For all those partaking afterwards there will be pub golf. Chris C has circulated the score cards already by e-mail already. I’ll have my car so won’t be drinking or taking part in the pub golf but will be there for the players meeting. PLEASE DO COME! I cannot emphasise how important it is which ever team you play for you’re are as much part of this club as anyone else.

1s Team and meet details are as follows:

1pm at Burgess Park for 2:30pm kick off.

Team as follows: Shrek, Derek, JR, Richard Black, Tunde, Kiwi Kerry, James H, Nich B (capt), Will G, Pete E, Tej, Tim J, Carl N, Patrick, David A. Subs: Nick RP, Sam S, Simon M

2s Team and meet details are as follows:

The 2s have an early kick off to enable them to watch the international so, 10:30am meet at London Bridge for 1pm kick off. The aim is to get the 10:55 train to Eltham station. The ground can be found on this link:

http://.pitchero.com/clubs/askeanrfc/?primary=aboutus&secondary=location

Team as follows: Mike Jennings, Tibor, Tony Leigh, Chris Callaway, Yemi Abitogun, Anthony Kalu, Ian Thebridge, Ricky Van Der Linde, Tom Seaman, Matt O’Sullivan, Todd Adsett, Craig Vlahakis, Oli Donaghue, James Munn (capt), John Hehir. Subs: Ayoub Lamrani, Keith Motsi, Kerry O’Sullivan, Javi Mendez, William Thiam, Man Spider may also be playing as well.

Southwark Lancers II 14-22 KCH II (Friendly)

After a succession of 2s players were called up to fill the gaps in the 1s it was left to South Bank Uni to save the day by providing 4 players for this home friendly against a good KCH side.

Although many of the boys in Lancers shirts had not played together before they managed to start the game brightly, showing early on that the team was full of pace and would be a tricky test for KCH who play in the league above.  However despite the strong scrum of the Lancers and the ability to win their own line out ball, the early pressure was never turned into points.  The Lancers were disappointed but not dispirited to find themselves 10-0 at half time as a result of conceding two tries.

The second half was to prove the Lancers spirit was still alive and well and through tries from Prop Mike Jennings and debutant flanker Keith Motsi found themselves 14-10 up with only 5 minutes to play.  Jim Munn (in the unfamiliar role of lock) adding the conversions, it was still a very rare sight indeed to see a no. 5 taking on kicking duties!! 

Unfortunately Lancers could not hold there concentration for the full 80 minutes and KCH managed two late tries to steal the win. The Lancers will curse the number of handling errors during the second half that could have been turned into tries, but there are many positives to take from this game.

Special mention should go to the many debutants:  Keith Motsi, Tom Seaman, Nathan Morris, Clive Christian, Lewis Price, Ollie Stross and Bertie who all played their part in what was a very good game of rugby. 

Thanks Also to Tolu Ige playing what will be his final Lancers game for the forseeable future whilst his studies take priority.  Tolu had another good game at fly-half a position he rarely plays for Lancers, but he always makes threatening breaks.

1) Mike Jennings 2) Lewis Price 3) Peter Boulter 4) Phil Clarke 5) James Munn 6) Bertie 7) Keith Motsi 8 ) Ricky Van Der Linde 9) Tom Seaman 10) Tolu Ige 11) Ollie Stross 12) Clive Christian 13) Carsten Kunzel 14) Todd Adsett 15) Nathan Morris  Sub 16) William Thiam.

Tries: Mike Jennings, Keith Motsi

Cons: James Munn (2)

Nine from nine: Is v Old Dunstonians III 7/11/09 (Away)

The Lancers were looking to build on their superb start to the season by making it 9 wins from 9 in the league; it was also to be weekend where the Lancers could measure just how far they had come as a club had come in its short 15 month history. Having been promoted two leagues from their first season they were now playing Old Dunstonians IIIs rather that IVs, the team they played last year. The England international fixture against Australia meant they were missing a number of first team players from the previous week, added to which following a red card citing from last month the club had taken the grown up decision to suspend one of its players as punishment.

The verdict returned is that the club has come along way in deed as they recorded a 79-0 win scoring thirteen tries and making 7 conversions. (Note: The score is subject to confirmation, the referee disappeared after the match so we have not been able to confirm the exact score). To be put brutally the Dustonians IIIs could not live the speed, fitness and creativity of the Lancers. That comment is not meant with any sort of disrespect to the Dunstonian team who caused for spells tremendous pressure on the Lancers. By example in the first half they spent 8 minutes in the Lancers 22 with total control of the game but not able to turn that pressure into points, they did the same again at the start of the second half.

However the Lancers always looked to support the runner and had numbers at every breakdown, which is where they could capitalise and score their tries. David April (full back) broke the deadlock on the 5 minute mark of the match able to split defence by stepping and changing his line creating what appeared to be effortless finishing but was much more difficult than it appeared. From then scoreboard ticked up fairly continuously except for the moments where the Dunstonian team asserted their presence.

Special mention for the game should be made as follows. Firstly to Will Groat who playing at scrumhalf tremendous structure to the team, always telling people where he wanted them, whether the back-row or the back line. Secondly Tej Thakker whose probing kicks meant that the Dunstonian team was often on the back foot, and managed to catch his own chip on one occasion, something later put into action in cameo by Jonny Wilkinson against Australia. Thirdly Tim Jamieson despite a couple of injury niggles captained the Lancers defensive line giving birth to the now infamous tackle metaphor of the Tim ‘Dumper’. Fourthly Sam Skinner who having only recently joined the club was asked to fill the boots ‘Kiwi Kerry’ at 6 and did so with verve and brilliance.

The real highlight of the game though was the performance of the locks James Kellock and Richard Black. It was James Kellock’s first start for the 1s this season and he fully deserved his start with an assured performance especially in the lineout. The gem though of the day was man of the match Richard Black who bought power and aggression to all aspects of his game, particularly the restart, scoring two tries, one of which a wingers try showing the advantage of being to able to combine pace, strength and weight.

(Note: Now missing only one scorer; if I have got the try count right, so subject to update)

Tries: Richard Black (2) Nich Bull (2), Tim J (2), Derek (1) Donkey (1), Craig V (1) Chris Buckle (1), Sam Skinner (1), David April (1) Cons: Tej Thakker (7)

2s This Weekend

KCH IIs have come up trumps. We are playing them at home with a kick-off time of 12pm.  Meet time is 11am at our pitch in Burgess Park. Plenty of time afterwards to get to Apple Tree and watch England thrash Australia (hmm… maybe). Many thanks to hard work of Shrek for arranging the fixture! We are going to be joined by a few of lads from the South Bank University Rugby Club who wanted to get a run out this week as well.

(Updated) Games this weekend (7/11/09):

Lancers, 1s meet time is now 11am sharp for a 1pm kick off; meet point remains the same.

Lancers, 1s team meet is currently 12:45pm for a 2:45pm kick off. Meet point it our usual place at London Bridge. The general consensus is that we would like an earlier kick off if possible so we can watch the England – Australia match and will let you know if  and when this is arranged so don’t agree to do anything in the morning!

2s team match has been postponed at the request of Shooters Hill. We are in the process of trying to arrange an early home friendly so again people can watch the England – Australia match. Details to follow shortly once we have an offer.

1s team as follows:

1) Shrek 2) Derek 3) JR 4) Richard Black 5) James Kellock 6) Sam 7) Donkey 8 ) Nich Bull 9) Will G 10) Tej 11) Tim V 12) Tim J 13) Matt O’Sullivan 14) Chris Buckle 15) David April 16) Tony 17) Craig V

Is v Old Elthamians III 31/10/09 (Home)

The Southwark Lancers were looking to continue their perfect start to the season by making it eight wins from eight. This meant there was a palpable sense of anticipation from the Lancers at the start of the game as each match of the season had so far brought about steady improvement.

The first target of the match for the Lancers was to play the game from the very start and not to wake after ten minutes and find themselves a try down and having to get themselves back into game. From the kick off the omens did not look good as the Lancers received the kick and spent the first 5 minutes of the game inside their own 22. Two crucial moments appeared to wake the Lancers though from their slumber; firstly the Lancers turned the Old Elthamians scrum through ninety degrees resulting in their own scrum from which they could comfortably clear their lines. Secondly Tim Jamieson (centre) put in an almighty tackle on his corresponding Elthamian player which seemed to instil the whole side with confidence. As that confidence built it was Tim Jamieson who again seized the game by the scruff of neck with rampaging run through the centre of the pitch to score under the posts on the 5 minute mark.

That moment really marked sparked the Lancers who quickly scored very shortly thereafter the second try of the game as Nich Bull (captain and no. 8 ) went wide through the 10 and 22 lines, then managed to pass to Carl Noack (centre) over the head of a Dunstonian player who scored under the posts. Thereafter the Lancers really took control of the game, they ledd 56-0 at the half way point, and 110-0 by the final whistle, scoring 16 tries. The man of the match award went to Kerry who scored 5 tries in what was a dominate piece of support play always appearing at the right moment on someone’s shoulder.

Special mention should also be made of JR who came on as a substituted in the second half of the match at loose head prop. His first touch of the ball saw a score under the posts where he looked very much the centre he once played in a younger life, he also showed some football skills with his boot which also almost led to a try.

The final score did not really do the Elthamians justice, as they were by no means a bad team. What they lacked though was an ability to stop both the runner and his supporting player in their tackles. Southwark Lancers now look to their next game on the 7^th November, which is away to Old Dunstonians III.

Tries: Kerry Rowland (5) Pete Evans (3), Tim Jamieson (2) JR (1), Carl Noack (2) Patrick Jalloh (1) Nich Bull (1) David April (1); Cons: Tej Thakker (15)

2s this weekend (31/10/09)…

Lads we have arranged a friendly fixture against Tunbridge Wells as Greenwich IIs have cried off giving us the walkover. Meet is 12pm at London Bridge, we are getting the 12.23 train. The meeting point is as always the Tooley Street entrance to London Bridge just near the London Dungeon. Should be a decent match, and don’t forget to bring beers for the train journey back.

We are a couple of players short at the moment so if anyone has any friends, bring them down, or if you’ve just wondered on to this website you are more than welcome to join us.

This weekend (31/10/09)…

First team are at home with a 1:15pm meet and a 2:45pm kick off. The team selection is as follows:

1) Shrek 2) Derek 3) Nick RP 4) Callaway 5) Tunde 6) Kiwi Kerry 7) James H 8 ) Nich B 9) 8 Ball 10) Tej 11) Pete Evans 12) Tim J 13) Carl N 14) Tim Venn 15) Patrick 16) JR 17) Donkey

I was out of the loop yesterday so have not heard if the 2s have a game or not. I have purposely not selected a third sub to wait to see how 2s team is looking if they have a match. As ever, any queries problems etc please call me (Nich) on 07814 036088 or e-mail. Cheers!

1s v Greenwich Is (Away) 25/10/09 Match Report

The great adventure continues for the Southwark Lancers as they made it seven wins from seven. They knew before the match that they needed a good result, as Greenwich Is were always going to be seen as a benchmark to be compared with by Kent County RFU in this seasons campaign to join Kent 2 next season. The Lancers were also aware that this would represent an accurate gauge of their progress knowing that they had played Greenwich IIs last year beating them, and then subsequently drawn a closely contested match later on in the same season against a mix of Greenwich Is and IIs.

The match did not get off to the best start as Greenwich were missing a hooker which meant the game would have to have uncontested scrums, much to the chagrin of the Lancers tight five. The first twenty minutes of the match were spent largely within the Greenwich 22 but the Lancers were unable to make the pressure count. It appeared that every attack either resulted in solid defence by Greenwich or a mistake by the Lancers. On the 20 minute mark though the Lancers finally got the break through they required, Nich Bull (number eight and captain) broke the line and managed to off load to Tej Thakker who somehow held on to the ball while juggling it several times over the line before scoring. The resulting conversion finally game the Lancers the confidence they needed to set about their game plan, playing rugby simply and letting the ball do the work; they were rewarded with two tries before half time.

The Lancers looked to build on the first half in the second, and did so with great gusto, letting out the tap in terms of ambition. They were rewarded with five tries. Two of special note, the first from Tim Venn moving from his accustomed position at fly-half to his new position on the wing as the Lancers look for a replacement for the injured Simon Molloy finishing a deftly made backs move. The move had in fact started from a scrum, from which the back row had picked up to setup a ruck and sucking in the Greenwich forwards, this gave the backs the space to do what they do best, run! The second try is a warning to those who try to do too much with the ball, Greenwich having kicked off following a score, moved the ball the wrong way into the backs. Pete Evans (wing) picked up the ball taking it into the Greenwich 22 round the Greenwich back line which had not had time to organise its defence and off loading to quick thinking Anthony Kalu who scored under the posts.

Man of Match: Carl N, for sold defence alongside Tim J in the centres, his score and general drinking ability (he won the drinking competition afterwards).

The final score was 55-0, next week Old Elthamians IIIs at home as the Lancers seek to make it eight from eight.

Tries: Tej Thakker (2), Pete Evans, Anthony Kalu, Derek, Tim Venn, Carl N, Kiwi Kerry; Cons: Tej Thakker (6); Drop Goals: Tej Thakker