....I played Rugby until I was 25 in Bristol (which takes in South Gloucester and North Somerset too)....with a choice of easily 100++ different clubs to play against - and each team would have First, Seconds, and Thirds at least, and of course Juniors - some even having Forths. Starting at 16 playing for the Firsts, my team mates were Teachers, Estate Agents, Insurance Agents, Engineers....9 years on I finished playing with Dockers, Builders, Road workers (scarey lot)....Some teams were more ferocious and well organised than others. The Grammar School type Old Boys teams were generally not that strong....To this day my most scarey experience was playing against Dings Crusaders and very well organised and physical team, with the fastest Threequarters.
But I haven't much to do with Bristol for 40years....but I wonder - Are all those teams still there?
Some how at 5' 11" and 11st I lasted quite well but concussions, sprains, dislocations, knee lig damage....have added up and most of my pains I have now result from those years....and of course I had to go to college/work on the Monday morning....The players were naturally tough,fit, resilient - no real training regimes in place....and some like me were skinny (wirey I like to think) and some with enormous beer bellies....
But I haven't much to do with Bristol for 40years....but I wonder - Are all those teams still there?
Some how at 5' 11" and 11st I lasted quite well but concussions, sprains, dislocations, knee lig damage....have added up and most of my pains I have now result from those years....and of course I had to go to college/work on the Monday morning....The players were naturally tough,fit, resilient - no real training regimes in place....and some like me were skinny (wirey I like to think) and some with enormous beer bellies....
Even down to 14, they never looked in any danger. Scotland a bit disappointed...they should have beaten Wales and could have got something from the Ireland game. A lot to play for against the French next week.
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