Hi Guys,

Rugby date 28/11/09 away against Fylde Vandals score 36-12

Once again team selection made very difficult due to a lack of players at the higher levels, and I would like to thank those third team members that made the long journey down to Sandbach for the 2's. However the lack of players was not going to dishearten the spirits of the third team and with 13 players and 3 still to arrive we took to the field to face a very tough, well drilled experienced Fylde. With so many players missing the team looked very odd, Charles Page playing at hooker, Rousie at 8, Mike Holden at 9 once again. But the heavy weight Fylde pack didn't hold any mercy for the inexperienced Blackburn front row, made up of myself at tight head and Andy Gray at loose. Well under the cosh Fylde pushed hard 5 yards out and the pressure soon told with the heavy weights crashing over for the first of their try's. With the team behind the posts and our backs screaming for a ball we had hardly seen let alone had any sort of possession that we could of used, two reinforcements were seen jogging onto the pitch. The third team stalwart Andy Goodwin, who had managed to convince his friend that it would be fun to come and play for us, even though he thought maybe 10 minuets but played the full 80. And I would like to thank and welcome Ben Davies to the third team and hope his new found fondness of rugby continues with us down here at Blackburn.
Even though the welcome sight of our reinforcement's buoyed the team Fylde continued to dominate the first half going on to finish the half 31-0. The half time saw Andy Gray leave the park after a hard fought half in a tough scrummaging game, resulting in us going un-contested in the scrum. Dave O'Sullivan also arriving late after making a long journey from Carisle coming on to play in the forwards. A position he wasn't used to but putting in a worthy performance. So a rejigged Blackburn pack with Joe Holden now taking up the number 8 slot and a back line to die for, desperate to show what they could do if given a glimpse of the ball, the second half got under way. It was a little headless to start with and after many mistakes and knockons the team started to string together a couple of moves and showing just what we were capable of doing if we had managed to compete in the first half. A superb cross field kick from Eddie Holden setting up Marc Grimes for the first of our scores in the this half. Converted by Eddie, and some simply fantastic defencive tackling meant that pressure was starting to build on Fylde for the first time. However a sliced kick from full back John O'Ryan, gave Fylde who reacted quickly tacking a quick throwin five yards out and dotting down for their only score of the half. This blip in a otherwise superb game from John seemed to galvanise the team, and we were soon building pressure again that finally saw Eddie Holden cross the white wash to score our second try. with time running out a knock for Charles saw him leave the pitch and me in a very unusual position of wing forward. But it was all to late and the referee blew his whistle for full time leaving us wondering what if.
A game of two halves to coin the phrase, maybe some of the missing players would of helped us maybe not. But everyone that pulled on a Blackburn shirt once again gave their all till the last play. This for me makes me so proud to be your captain and I believe that the strength of this team can get back on winning ways. With this said we look forward to welcoming Fleetwood to Ramsgreave this weekend. Fleetwood currently 11th in the league just above us played 9 won 3 lost 6. As you can see this is a potential 6 pointer and so I ask as many players as possible to attend training this Thursday 7pm till 9pm, to give us a Chance to work on the good things we do and especially the bad. Also this weekends game is pirate day and everyone is reminded that they must have at least 2 pieces of pirate attire and talk like a pirate. This is all fun lads and will raise a few doubloons through fines, and we can all have a good laugh at those that get caught jumping ship, as they will be forced to drink grog and swab the decks. Ye have bin warned ARR!!!!

Regards Carlos (captain)