Coulson's Column - BCS National Cup Report - Worthing College 1st XV vs SEEVIC 1st XV

Rudyard Kipling once wrote;
“If you can fill the unforgiving minute With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!”

I think having watched a motivated, dedicated and ultimately disappointed group of young men I only now fully understand what he was talking about. The BCS national 1/4 finals is a tough place to learn that lesson and is not a nice place to stop playing and start watching the rest of the competition. In any fight you look to see the guy that is still standing at the end, chances are he has won. Worthing laid flat on the canvas at the end of this battle but should rightly hold their collective heads high and bask in the glow of distance travelled.

A very strong SEEVIC side that had travelled down from Essex and really looked the part in every department, athletic players everywhere and skilled technicians throughout.

Worthing started much the stronger and got the rub of a couple of decisions from the official. Building pressure on the opposition and camping inside their 22m line. This pressure built to a catch and drive score for the home side, Wigzell coming up from the bottom of the pile. A good conversion from Keith added the extras and 7-0 to Worthing and all looked good. With time moving on in the half the visitors gained in confidence, got some decisions from the official and the ‘big mo‘ was on their side. This showed in the penalty and converted try scored on the half time whistle. 7-10 to the visitors at the break.
Worthing turned with the wind and played some excellent rugby with every man giving his all. Unfortunately the opposition too were taking care of their business, making inroads into the home defence with the greater mass taking its toll.
Worthing managed to score another try from an interception and converted 14-10 Keith accounting for all 7 of the points. SEEVIC turned the flow of the game again and scored a converted try Worthing relying with another catch and drive effort 19-17 and still game on.

It became clear that one decision or mistake from either side was going to be the difference, 1min to go and the situation played out. A good midfield tackle from the impressive replacement Patrick White and equally good work over the ball by Laszlo seemingly gained Worthing possession of the ball in mid field 30m out from their own line. Not however to the man that matters, penalty against for not releasing the player before playing the ball. A case of mistaken identity perhaps? Not the easiest of kicks but well struck and Worthing trailed again by the narrowest of margins 19-20. Still time to kick off and change the outcome. Worthing pressured the kick and it touched a defender on the way into touch, one last chance for glory.

The line out worked and Worthing gained possession just outside the SEEVIC 22m. The referee put his arm out for an advantage and it looked like a victory could be grabbed from the jaws of defeat. Posts were signalled and it was up to Keith thus far one of the stand out performers with 9 points keeping the score board ticking. He struck the ball and it faded just to the right of the upright. A cruel end to the game as the final whistle sounded, 19-20, a heroic defeat but no consolation to those players that valiantly tried.

Nothing that any coach, friend or loved one could say would extinguish the hurt these young men experienced this day. I could pontificate on feelings of pride, throw around an arm admiration or just give a knowing nod of understanding to a young man with a broken yet still beating heart. None of these actions would do justice to the men I have been privileged to work with this and many seasons before. So I shall leave it to another whose words far outdistance mine but seems to share an appreciation of the challenges you face.

The Guy in the Glass by Dale Wimbrow

When you get what you want in your struggle for self And the world makes you king for a day Just go to the mirror and look at yourself And see what that man has to say.
For it isn't your Father or Mother or wife Whose judgement upon you must pass. The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass.
Some people may call you a straight shooting chum And call you a wonderful guy, but the man in the glass says you're only a bum If you can't look him straight in the eye.
He's the fellow to please, never mind all the rest For he's with you clear to the end, And you have passed your most dangerous test If the man in the glass is your friend.
You may face the whole world down the pathway of life And get pats on the back when you pass, But your final reward will be heartache and strife If you've cheated the man in the glass.

Hubbard, Sercombe, Bone, Hart, Anderson and Ball, gentlemen its been a pleasure.

See you at training Monday,

Ben.