Nostalgic Former Colts' XV versus President's Select XV Match, followed by Superb Fancy-Dress Evening of Fun and Enjoyment.

Squad photos now published, click Team Photos of Former Colts and the President's Select.

Broadstreet RFC enjoyed the last of the 2010-11 season's club rugby at the Ivor Preece Field Rugby Ground with the first part of the end-of-season-bash in a match between Former Colts and Club Stalwarts. The Former Colts were well over subscribed, with almost enough players for another team, and it saw some retired former colts who brushed the dust off their 'Dubbined boots' for a run out on a glorious afternoon. The Stalwarts were a tight group of players who didn’t come through the club’s junior set-up but who have previously played for the club over the years. Both teams consisted of some of local rugby’s most talented players for the past 15 years or more.  The rugby was open, fast, committed and exciting from start to finish. There were many tries from both sides and the sizable crowd, who loudly cheered for all, were well entertained.  It was a fantastic display of skills from all who participated.

For the club it was the first part of a whole day’s entertainment which included rugby, end of season awards together with an enjoyable themed evening, all who dressed up looked the part either as  a Gangster or a Moll!. This could well be the first of many such end of season events that brought together present and former players with other members, guests and families for an enjoyable well-attended day at the club.

More of the same please!

A special thanks must go to Warwickshire Society Of Referees for accommodating an “inter club friendly” with Martin Sly officiating.

Broadstreet Colts Dream Team 49 - Broadstreet President's Select 62.

Old acquaintances renewed on both sides in a highly entertaining inter-club tear-up.

While the older, more experienced, Loper's President's Select adopted a fluid all-action style of play, Nick Thatcher's clots and his management team of John Dodd, Mick Thatcher, Adam Watts and Simon Buttriss, perhaps due to the weight of numbers (over double the President's) and superior pace, fitness and youth on their side surprisingly went for the workman-like approach seeking contact at every opportunity.

Early onslaughts from the President's Men lead to ex-player Andy Tee's opener followed by a well worked try for Will Boyle in his first season of rugby and a third for Dave Vigor in his first game for seven years before the Colts answered back with an interception try for flyer Dan Phillips.

Going in to the second 20 minute spell of the game the Colts relieved their beleaguered ranks with eleven fresh faces and the President's Men were rallied by the introduction of their only sub, third team Player of the Season Ady Jonesreplacing Jock Andrews.  Great high risks open rugby from the President's Men interceded with desperate changes of personnel from the Colts management team lead to a unlikely close half time score of 24 -38.

The Second Half opened with the President's Men now rotating their one sub as often as practical.  This led to a sea saw scoring pattern until the Presidents, having recruited from the crowd, some much needed pace and fitness in the shape of Ciaran Price who brought fresh legs to combat the threat of a now full strength Colts outfit including first teamers Nick Thatcher, David Roff, Ash Lightowler, Jack Howland, Dan Phillips, Luke Truslove, Chris Dodd, Dean Watts and Micky Tyrell and Nuneaton RFC and Coventry RFC lock Matt Hunter plus a number of the Colts Cup Final side.  As the Colts closed to within a score the Presidents Men had the last word with a flowing move involving all fifteen men, resulting in a try under the posts for John Warne who capped a fine game in his return alongside stellar names of the past Steve Chapman, Ady Nightingale, Ed 'Seventy' Simkiss, David Vigor, Daz Tyrell and Wayne Lester.  Full time score 49 -62.

Another perspective of the same game (even a different score).

The Colts Dream Team·resembled more of a motley crew,·than a rugby team, with over 25 players ranging from 1st team·players for Broadstreet like Nick Thatcher,·Ratty 1st team players for other local clubs such as Coventry Welsh RFC's Ashley Stone all mixed with·a good selection of players from Broadstreet's·lower league teams - Daz Watts, Mike Bednell, Chris Dodd, Broadstreet Colts Mike Tyrrell, Lewis Clarke, Alex Beddows, Jack Howland·and some of the ghosts of Broadstreet past - Ricky Watts, Daz Tyrrell and prop Steve 'Macca' McCartney (a 1997 Colt).

The Presidents XV had a much smaller range of players to choose from with a lot of the older lads that Loper brought in dismayed to find out they would be playing the whole match.··They had Eddie Simkiss, Ben Dawes, Chris Zutic, Carl Southwell, Andy Tee and Tom Greevy·all from this years 1st team mixed with some old favourites like Dave Vigor, John Warne and John Brown. As well as a few decent players who were with us briefly Ade Nightingale, Steve Chapman (playing for the first time since he snapped his leg horrifically on the same pitch 8 years ago) and Wayne Lester.

The match was·surprisingly competitive with a few big·hits,·off·the ball scuffles and cheap shots from the usual characters. The score of 64-47 shows·that it was·end-to-end and·when the right people were on the ball·was very good quality play (a few of the·breaks and offloads would have earnt tries in National Two last year).·Ashley Stone, Thatch·and Tetley·had good games··but the best player was probably Mike Tyrrell who played·with his dad in the centres·in the first half and against·him in the second where he well and truly sat him down with a big bosh and then preceded to smash·his mates·in other tackles.

Colts Dream Team Starting XV.

1. Sam Cullinane
2. Dave Roff
3. Luke Truslove
4. Mike Bednell
5. Matty Hunter
6. Dean Watts
7. Lewis Clarke
8. Ian Williams
9. Connor McFeely
10. Jack Howland
11. Andy Hirons
12. Mikey Tyrell
13. Daz Tyrell
14. Ricky Watts
15. Darrell Watts

Replacements.

Steve McCartney
Phil Smith
Chris Phillips
Alex "Puyol" Beddows
Craig Hooper
Chris Dodd
Ross Clarke
Colm Berry
Ashley Lighthowler
Ben Griffin
Ashley Stone
Mark Brittain
Dan Phillips

'Street Fiction' Fancy Dress Celebration and Awards Night.

The night was great fun, with around 100 people in the clubhouse having a brilliant time., The totting-up afterwards shows a small profit resulting from all the ticket sales and the bar made a good profit to boot.  I think a few people may even have been drunk.

The season's awards presented on the night were-

1) Most improved - Chris 'Ziggy' Zutic
2) Best player - Nick 'Thatch' Thatcher
3) Captain's player- Ben Dawes
4) Colt's player - Alex 'Puyol' Beddows
5) 2nd team - Dave Roff
6) 3rd team - Adie Jones

A final thanks must go to Chris 'Loper' Harrison and Nick 'Thatch' Thatcher for organising, not just the teams, but the whole day.  VERY WELL DONE!

A couple of comments: -

"An excellent end of season bash.  An entertaining game of Rugby and a very enjoyable evening. Definitely one to build on and repeat next season. Thanks to Loper and his squad of organisers and all the staff."

“A celebration of what Broadstreet Rugby is all about, young and old, experience and enthusiasm, playing with old mates and making new friends. All this lay at the heart of Saturday’s Former Colts XXVIII vs the President’s XVI and was encapsulated in the game, hard but honest, fast and fun. Oh and a few beers afterwards!”

ALL IN ALL, A TREMENDOUS DAY - FOLLOW THAT!

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