O.W.R.F.C Alternative Race Night

Race Sponsors

Snail Sponsors

Grim Ransom Caitlin O’Hara
Julie Perren Jerry Warwick
Dave Kitt Michelle
Phil Dinsdale (the elder) Steve Simmonds
Bob Jenks Kemlo Longstaff
Dave Burton Matt Houghton
Adam Stern Wendy Kelly
Eddie Pemberton (coming out of his CTF!) Morgan Kelly
Sam Naylor Sarah Everingham
Natalie Beales Jane Everingham
Elaine South Mike Bramble

A mention also for those who made a last minute bid to sponsor a snail but fell foul of my email issues at the time: Nita McDowell, Chris Mockford and Phil Jemson

Thank you to all,
Pembers

Race Night this Saturday 7:30pm

Home Games Off - Sat 16th Jan

EGM - 19th December 2009

1. Subscription fee increase (see here for full proposal)
2. Rule Amendment: Appointment of 1st XV Captain (see here for full proposal).

Palace to Palace 2009

Once again, Old Walcountians took terror to the streets in the guise of an epic encounter between man, machine and tarmac. The 2009 Palace to Palace race saw a shortened lineup from OWs with the team missing some notable names, The Basque was washing his hair, The Claw was being towed home from somewhere and Simmo was still nursing a tie-dyed Japanese flag bum from last year.

So Chief, Tutts and Morgan (aka Eddie, Tommy & Bradley) carried the OWs mantle.

Things got off to a good start, it wasn’t raining, and there were no machinery malfunctions and only the briefest of discussions as to who had the more worrying medical condition. The London stages were dominated by a feeling of bonhomie amongst the peloton with no breakaways to report. Only Bradley attracted attention with his now customary disregard for the rules of the road at red lights being met with a chorus of “…he’s a bloody disgrace…” from other teams.

Such was the high cadence of the team the first real test came quicker than expected in the shape of the Col du Deer Park, the notorious Simmo climb over the parched arid landscape of Richmond. There was no replication of last years Bakewell Tart incident and Tommy easily took the red polka dot jersey closely pursued by his domestiques.

The middle stages of the race saw breakaways from all three riders who were all reeled back in by some great peloton team work (piss stops mainly) – last years epic early doors dash for glory by The Basque was a distant memory. However, the team knew that the great rolling tors of Foxhills were looming in the distance and every turn of the pedal, rotation of the wheel drew them closer to those heartbreakers. The dark, menacing woods of the eerie Bois de Sunningdale only served to heighten the feeling of impending doom of a place where they knew that every sinew, every ounce of blood, bile and muscle would be strained to the outer limits of human capacity and endurance. A place that would make even the hardest, most gnarled veloist weep like a smacked child at the mere mention of it.

As it happens, the race organisers, no doubt wary of another Tommy Simpson occurring on the monstrous Col du Datchet decided to re-route the latter stages and thus avoiding the “where’s Simmo” memorial and now traditional commemoration of Eddies technicolour yawn.

The change in route added another 5 miles to the last stage and this is where class really shone through. Tommy was in better shape than both Bradley and Eddie who despite many oral injections of Dextoril were unable to keep with the great man - he slipped inexorably away at the front towards what would certainly be an historic win. However, the true Old Walcountian spirit runs deep with the veins of the Welsh wizard and a reunion a few miles from the finish meant a crossing of the line in triumphant unison for the team.

No one died, there were no hospitalisations and despite some “arses like a busted blood orange” a great day was finished off with some well deserved London Pride rehydration therapy.

“Where’s Simmo?”

FRANK BRIDGER

I am sorry to have to report that Frank died shortly before his 78th birthday.

Frank was a prop forward and played regularly for the A XV, although in his later playing days in the late 60s he captained the Extra A XV. He was a great clubman and, despite a general impression of grumpiness, he was immensely popular. In the summer he played cricket for Beddington CC. He gave up all ideas of bachelorhood when he married Maggie in 1979. Sadly he became less and less mobile and we did not see much of him as time passed but many of us were fortunate to have the opportunity to chat with him when he came to Ray Hague’s funeral.

His funeral service will be held at the Surrey and Sussex Crematorium, Balcombe Road, Crawley,RH10 3NQ on Tuesday 22 September at 13.30.
All friends are welcome.
No flowers but donations to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (by cheque payable to RNLI) can be sent c/o Freeman Brothers, 9 North Parade, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 2BP.

Munge Nicholls

PRE- SEASON TRAINING 09/10

Pre-season training has started and is now EVERY MONDAY AND THURSDAY 7.30pm

All welcome.

SEASON 2009/2010 OFFICERS & APPOINTMENTS

OFFICERS:

President Brian 'Munge' Nicholls
Chairman Bob Mcdowell
Secretary Natalie Beales
Treasurer Steve O'Hara
Fixture Sec Bob Mcdowell
Team sec Steve Witcombe

CAPTAINS:

Club Captain Neil Pemberton
1 XV Captain Alex Sutherland
2 XV Captain James Deakin
3 XV Captain Bruce South

APPOINTMENTS:

Club Coach Steve Witcombe
Tour Manager Chris Mockford & Steve Allen
Ladies Night Organisr Russell Yeo
Club dinner organiser Charlie Everingham
International Tickets Alun Stockton
Kit Manager Glynn Jones
Coutryman's Lunch Monty
Supporters lunch Natalie Beales
Recruitment Officer Bruce South
Press Officers Rob Murphy & Dave Burton
Surrey Representative Charlie Everingham
League Representative Rob Murphy

ELECTION OF HONORARY VICE PRESIDENTS :

Dave Burton & Alun Stockton