THE PRESIDENT TRIES TO REMEMBER
Well what a season! I have been privileged to watch three of the highest quality and most exciting games of rugby in the history of St George’s.
The United Hospitals Challenge Cup is the oldest competition in the game of rugby. St George’s participated in the first final played at the Oval in 1875 against Guy’s, losing by one try to two. They, unfortunately, have not appeared in the final since 1882 and sadly have never won the United Hospitals Cup since, but this present side ran Imperial very close at Old Deer Park on Friday 11th March and had the potential to go all the way. What a journey it has been!
The omens were not good as I witnessed St George’s pack being put under immense pressure by St Bartholomew’s over at Chislehurst earlier on in the season. An early Barts/London try rekindled old feelings of potential disaster. However two immense breakaway tries and a sterling performance that rocked at St Bart’s and the London resulted in St George’s leading by six points with barely minutes to go. Unfortunately the intense pre match training involving large quantities of alcohol and late nights did not suit our boys and in the last minutes we faded badly. Bart’s broke down the right wing and broke free – as usual St George’s never gave up and an immensely clever piece of play prevented them from going round under the post. Bart’s had a kick for it from the touchline. I nervously stood right behind the post to witness the kick first start off directly for its target and then to veer off to the left at the last minute. Phew! A close shave but the boys were through.
The next round saw the next opponents on a very unpleasant Sunday on a more unpleasant claggy pitch over at Honour Oak Park. St George’s new director of rugby, Michael Wilde, drilled the boys well with hours of abstinence to put them in a perfect frame of mind. In early exchanges St George’s forged a six point lead which they maintained until the very dying moments of the game. However it was not going to be an easy ride for the massed loyal spectators that had turned out in South East London. With just minutes to go George’s were bravely holding out in the top right hand corner again. The six point lead with a converted try would do the trick but GKT could not manoeuvre the ball into the centre of the park. A series of exchanges resulted in a yellow card. The boys were down to 14 and beginning to flag. Scrum after scrum resulted in no progress for GKT but the writing was on the wall. It now became clear that it was probably impossible for the kick to go over had the boys allowed them to score in the corner but after the third collapse of the scrum the referee awarded a penalty try. The conversion put GKT ahead with just seconds to go. Spirits were low. However the brave St George’s team were not beaten. Straight from the kick off a ruck inside the 25, half way towards the touchline, resulted in a St George’s penalty. On a very muddy pitch, into the wind, up stepped Dan Rossiter with his best kick of the afternoon he steered the ball between the sticks for an immense famous victory. St George’s were through to the final for the first time since 1882. Indeed this was their last appearance in the final and the third of their recorded wins (1876, 1880 and 1882).
George’s were to take on Imperial Medics at Old Deer Park on Friday 11th March. This caused major repercussions across the capital. The UH president had to recall the programmes from the printers it was not to be the usual GKT v Imperial dogfight but a fresh a new final involving St George’s for the first time in over 129 years.
We were hosted by Richmond Rugby Club and we thank them for their support. A vast number of St George’s supporters came out and cheered the boys in. The last 13 finals of the UH cup competition have involved GKT and Imperial Medics. According to the UH president the coffers were empty and I was told by the UH President that they could not afford to award the usual tankards to the finalists (and in any case Imperial Medics had enough tankards to start a pub). I was asked if I personally wanted to buy tankards for the St George’s team. Clearly this would have been an honour but on principle I suggested to the UH president where to put his tankards which resulted in the suggestion that I did not attend the pre-match dinner!! As it was it was far more enjoyable to stand on the terraces with the amazing St George’s support and cheer the boys on.
The final showed just how far St George’s Hospital rugby club had come. The returning Ollie de Brett bolstering the side. The performance was excellent. It was great to see many of the old boys coming back from various parts of the country e.g. Rodery putting his sheep aside and jumping in his car and giving up his ticket for the Wales v Ireland game - arriving just after kick off. At that stage, with only a few points in it St George’s were in the hunt. Wave after wave of Imperial attack was repulsed. St George’s were unlucky to be losing at half time. In the 2nd half scores from Imperial did not douse the immense support – St George’s men and women taunted the now anxious Imperial Medics support.
We worked well and a deserved try in the 2nd half by Greg Davies rekindled hopes. But eventually St George’s were run out bravely losing 27-10. Beaten, but not downhearted. In the words of that great American politician – WE WILL BE BACK!
To cap a wonderful night Ollie Rupar was noted man of the match, quite deservedly, not only for his performance in the final but for his work throughout the season.
I would personally like to thank Mike Wilde for all the efforts he has put in drilling the boys, Wimbledon Rugby Club for the start of what I hope to be a long and meaningful relationship, all the supporters that turned up on the evening. It was a truly wonderful occasion which underlined the spirit of the club but also the importance of amateur rugby. St George’s don’t need a rugby scholarship –if the side that took to the field stayed together and work hard they have a great chance of going one better in the next few years.
Martin Bircher