OARFC Tour
David Lowe (H91) writes to us with an account of the OA Rugby Club's recent tour of Trinidad & Tobago...
The OA rugby club has an incredible buzz at present. The summer pre-season
training kicked off in July; adding an influx of new players keen to get stuck
in and join us in Trinidad & Tobago. We are seeing the majority of our
players from last season return for another bite of the cherry, plus many new
OAs getting involved on both playing and administrative duties. The ‘Wilcoxian’
coaching staff of Tom Spencer and Peter Field ensure our players are in the
best condition physically and mentally for every game.
The Preparation
The tour came about by a chance meeting between club captain Blair Buchanan and
Nigel Slinger (A54). Luckily enough for the OAs Nigel has a commanding grip on
all things sporting in Trinidad and Guyana - having played rugby, golf and
cricket for their international teams; sharing a dressing room with GS Sobers (amongst
other legends of sport). We were off to a good start!
A club meeting was held at the Antelope, just off Sloane Square in Chelsea, to
discuss the possibility of undertaking such an exciting and adventurous
inaugural overseas tour. The players and committee instantly bought into the
idea and the wheels were put into motion.
The Tour
We met at 6am at the Virgin Atlantic check in queue at London Gatwick, the
squad arrived in dribs and drabs: some internationally-based flying in, and
others coming on the train from central London. We had been issued with our kit
emblazoned with the grid of St Laurence club badge on our bags and shirts,
making us look like a very professional outfit. Thanks must go to our sponsors
namely: JCB, Neptune, Trinidad & Tobago Insurance, Virgin Atlantic and the
Hilton Group. Whose generosity and assistance allowed the committee to give
bursaries to student members of the squad.
We were greeted at Trinidad Airport by Nigel Slinger (A54) and a welcoming
committee from our host team Stag Northern RFC, Port of Spain. We transferred
to the Hilton hotel via a military road block followed by a swift drinks
reception at ‘Frankies’ to meet the players and representatives of Northern
rugby clubs.
The days seemed to all roll into each other as we were kept very busy; engaging
in golf, fishing, diving, beautiful coral beaches and getting to know our
hosts.
Both games were close fought affairs and played under blazing equatorial sun. With
a constant flow of water needed to keep from overheating; the reserves and
coaches were certainly kept on their toes throughout the games.
The first game against our hosts was played at Hasely Crawford Stadium,
Ampleforth won 16-24 followed by a well deserved drink at Northern rugby club,
which is undergoing massive redevelopment and anticipate this to be completed
in the summer of 2013 when we are invited back to play against a club
presidents XV to commemorate the opening of the new facilities.
Playing against the national team of Trinidad & Tobago was the highlight of
the tour, we played on the hallowed turf at the Queens Park Oval, using the same
changing rooms the England cricket team uses when touring the West Indies.
Running out of the tunnel and seeing the finest sporting facility in the
country was an inspiring sight. The posts were put up at either end of the
ground leaving the square (cricket wicket) between the ten metre lines (Mr
Wilkies worst nightmare).
The standard of the team we fielded improved from the Stag Northern game, made
up of former members of the 1st XV from 1991 - 2008, we held back one or two
players for the ‘big game’, ensuring our ability to compete against a national
team (ranking 45 in the IRB world rankings). A fierce account was displayed by
both sides but sadly we were beaten by a national side that demonstrated
experience, athleticism and cohesion to overcome our traditional fast and
expansive style of play. The result was 32-18 to Trinidad & Tobago.
The match was followed by a reception at the residence of the British
Ambassador who was delighted to welcome the Old Amplefordians to his Trinidad
& Tobago home and invited us back when we return in 2013.
Next year we anticipate the tour to be to Croatia and Montenegro, where we also
have some strong old boy connections.
DA Lowe (H91)