End of an Era in Dublin

The Mighty 3rds set off for the Biennial Pilgrimage to Dublin to play old friends CYM.

With a team which looked good on paper, 20 years ago; underfoot conditions which made the recent ploughed fields of Neilson Park and Recreation Park look like bowling greens; and an EU Guinness lake being carried around in the bellies of half the team; the young sprightly CYM team looked a real challenge.

This was borne out in a fiercely fought contest, reffed by what some thought might be Alan Egan's lovechild, and although much of the contest was even, the speed of CYM on the break caused a steady flow of tries for the home team.

Gary Cockburn scored a deserving try for the Mighties, following a fine shift, with guest and old HRFC stalwart Gordy Dickson took the man of the match award. Other cameos included glimpses of class from the Caley Red 1998 combo of JK and Nelly Renton; Nellies "rolling stone gathers no moss" line break where for twenty yards it seemed his body was going faster than his legs; Scott Brownlee testing out his new "its not a forward pass watch my hands" routine; Andrew Cunningham doing his Tom Daley impersonation; Mo doing some mowing before a serious looking leg injury; and seven forwards and the ref wondering what they did in the last life to deserve number 8, Cliff.

Gordon Bathgate synonymous with the fixture came on in the second half before declaring his retirement. He showed his versatility by appearing in the second row and winning as many lineouts as Tim Swinson the next day. None. Thereby marking the end of an era for the 3rds, with some 22 years of full-time service followed by ten years of service in this fixture. Well done good and faithful servant.

70 minutes of huge effort by a team which should know better was followed by around another 70 minutes of even greater effort as mudcaked they strove to get showered and changed afterwards, with several passingly good "Brian Blackie the Purple Spacehopper" impersonations, albeit alas without the grin.

CYM were presented with the cup retaining it for a second year having sneaked home 43-5.

A fine night was had by all as the Friendship Cup was supped from.

Rugby was the winner.