ONCE AGAIN it was back to the silly season with "G" Coy mustering their forces to take on, yet again, the London Hospital Medical College (see Gazette, Winter '79) on Saturday 25th October 1980.

Our team had changed somewhat from our introduction to the game played by gentlemen. We welcomed to our ranks Gary Redmill and Paul Cahill (Eltham Platoon), Harry Downie, from somewhere in Scotland and Simon Morris (Ringer) from the college.  The remainder of the team all being old soldiers with soldiering experience ranging from 6 months to 8 years whilst rugby experience ranging from 2 games (see Gazettes) to every other Saturday.

a) cried.
b) became quivering idiots.
c) sulked (1 wanted to score).
d) cried "Where's the beer?"

With Alan Fay converting the try the Coy were leading 6-0.  Clive Hexton, he ticked (c), took the ball straight from the kick- off and scored directly under the posts.  With Fay converting again the Coy led 12-0.

The score now being 19-8 and this it remained to the final whistle. The opposition left the field to: They played a load of ringers and wait till J. P. R. Williams comes back next year for a guest appearance.

A fine team performance by everyone and the team was as follows: the pack, Paul Cahill (prop) who gave words of encouragement not found in the Collins English Dictionary, Garry Redmill (hooker) who had never played before and probably not again, Allan Fay (prop) who took over the hooker's job at the line-out was running out of line-out calls, Brian Welsh (2nd row) who had a tendency to try and ruin the prop's love life, Colin Granger (2nd row) who gave his usual 100% and the back row of Harry Downie, Steve Kempster and Simon Morris who all worked extremely hard.

The backs: Steve Henwood (scrum-half) who did everything sweet and simple, Paul Seymour (fly-half) whose sideways running leaves something to be desired, only kidding, Alan Pendleton (centre) whose hard tackling took its toll of the opposition, Robin Cameron (centre) his little jinking runs made us yards at a time but we're not sure which way, Clive Hexton (wing) who seemed to spend a lot of time in the centre, hence the try, Steve Hirlehey (wing) whose high knees and fast running kept the Hospital busy with the job of tackling him and, last but by no means least, Jim Bohannon (full-back) who as our tail-end Charlie did all that was required of him.

Once again London Hospital were excellent hosts and Colin was presented with The London Scottish plaque which the Hospital had won last year. With the ale slipping down smoothly several members of the Coy found themselves in the East End carrying on the celebrations at the Hospital's local pub where we met Archie and bored him silly with our tale of victory.

The evening finished with two members of the victorious side helping each other down the road to a certain flat in the East End where we were met by the lady of the house. Asking how we got on, the man of the house declared "We won" and promptly fell down the stairs.

PS: Don't tell Colin but didn't Brian Welsh play well?

Alpha Foxtrot