New Milton Vets 19-73 Havant Mariners

The dominance continues for the Mighty Havant Mariners, a 5th consecutive year without a loss at vets’ level and a thumping in the forest as New Milton become the latest team to fall victim to the class the presides over Hooks Lane.
As rugby tries to change, it also seems the inaugural John Sneezum Cup has had a face lift.
An unusual start to the campaign, as the mighty mariners where without their Master Mariner, communication errors similar to the organization of the tournament found the usually available James Hewitt without a shirt this week, thankfully as he was left to spend his day calling round for the spare parts, he has been struggling to get lately to repair fellow HRFC members cars.
So, with Captain Pete Living at the helm and his trusted 2IC Rob Davey beside him, they set out to put forward a formidable pack of gentlemen. As the Davies, Stapletons, Claffy’s and Jewett’s step away, in would come some fresher legs to strengthen the ageing squad. Havant stalwart Luke Marks, currently enjoying his 19th retirement and looking forward to at least 5 one more years was the first name on the team sheet, he would be joined in the front row by World record holder of the most Hobbies a man can achieve in a lifetime Jake Biggs. Big Ben Lanigan would complete the front row, although like his good friends Graham Butterworth and Neil McRoberts is eligible to play for most Hampshire clubs, due to more new world rugby laws, is eligible to play for Havant as his Northern Grandparents, knew a Scottish bloke, who lived on the Ilse of Wight with girl from Leigh Park.
In the second row, the mad tree man Matt Godwin packed down with the Navy’s very own Scouser and head of procurement Peter Keown, Keown a Mariner in many ways and a regular on the bench for the Navy Vets made his first start as veteren for his Club. The Back row was littered with class and Mick Bacon as well, as it saw two former 1st team Captains, Steve Cruddas, and Jon Barfoot lined up as 7&8 whilst Bacon would humbly take the 6 shirt in ore of his fellow loose forwards.
Matt Davis headed up the half backs at Scrum half, another well into his 15th retirement campaign Davis never looks out of place even at the ripe old age of 52 as he marshals the forwards. Captain and ultimate clubman Pete Living would of course start at 10, as he pulled the strings and dictated the game at fly half. A Centre pairing with nearly 350 first team caps between them saw Gandalf the great Grant Morris providing the playmaking and the silky hands of Dave Sweeney, feeding the wingers in attack, both tough tackling Half backs in their prime but equally dominant in the midfield. The pacy Tom Merritt again got to link up with his boyhood hero Sweeney, and started on the right wing, whilst the charismatic Scotsman Dean Duthie had his dreams answered, when he got to play one last game with his Hero Mick Bacon, before he hangs up his boots. Adam “Taff” Terry effortlessly slipped back into full back despite work making his appearances limited of the last year. The Welshman, who is considered the best pound for pound manager at work, could arguably take the same title in the vet’s squad. But only Adam King can decide that fate. The finishers saw more brut and class waiting in the wings, Dom Francis, would have felt unlucky to be on the bench, but following a year, tainted with injuries would have just been chomping at the bit to run at the home side. “The Duke” Ryan Marlborough was on hand with Antony Reynolds to shore up the forward pack and Neil McRoberts played his part and backed up to the backs.
Sweeney would start the kick and chase for Havant. But the game all just quickly turned to formalities for the travelling side, New Milton were resilient and never gave up, a few line breaks would prove they had enough in the locker to chink Havant’s armory, but the class of Havant was clear for all to see.
Big Ben Lanigan was first over the line with a powerful run from 3 inches out after 3 minutes. The wingers then took over, no matter what combination of midfield combined, Morris, Living, Sweeney and McRoberts handling and timing tore the home side to bits, and left the wingers with formalities. The flying Scotsman Dean Duthie would go on to get his hattrick, Tom Merritt would not be out done with one better and four tries on his own. Matt Godwin would get a Brace as the Titchfield lumber jack made short work of chopping down the new forest side, HRFC Legend Steve Cruddas, would end the rout with a try of his own late on after return to action. Jake Biggs would take a short 10 min rest in the middle of the second half, which would make exciting photography for his personal cameraman. Biggs would fall foul of a very efficient referee, who allegedly listens to podcasts on the rules of Rugby as a pastime, coincidently presented by himself. Dave Sweeney and Matt Davis would collectively secure the rest of the points with the boot, Sweeney’s 8 from 10 point made his tally 16 points and Matty Davis would take the other 2 points with 100% kick success rate.
New Milton had a late surge at the end with a couple of tries late on, but the game was done and dusted by then.
Final Score New Milton 19-73 Havant Mariners
So, onto next week and hopefully you will hear the Havant song echoing in victory as they make it five in a row
#Overthehill