Harborne's 3rd team got their season off to a start with a pool fixture against Kings Norton's combined XV.

Our side, led by Tristan "I survived a Mutiny..just" Hellawell and James "check out my speeches on youtube" Anthony travelled knowing they were able to call on the steadying influence of Jimmy "you're nicked" Mac amongst the forwards and the ever dependable Pete "ok, so I was a bit angry" Robbins in the backs.

The Team itself was made up of players who had trained hard throughout preseason and beyond, accompanied by some newcomers such as James "wish i was a little bit taller" McGann on his debut for the club, as were many others.

Kings Norton operate an agreement with nearby clubs where all the spare players join on a saturday to get a combined team out, in theory an ideal way to get more players more rugby and especially for those clubs unable to operate a full thirds or fourths team to give their players full 80 minutes of rugby...at least that's the theory!

As the match started, it quickly became evident to everyone that the Waifs and Strays from one of the nearby clubs were first teamers looking for a game on a weekend when the league wasnt running... one says evident, what they really mean is glaringly obvious as 21 points were scored in the first five minutes. Its the type of mismatch that occurs from time to time, and it is this type of game that truly shows the mettle of not just a team, but also the entire club as a whole.

Whether a team decides implode, or to stand shoulder to shoulder and fight with the determination that whatever the scoreline they will return together to that halfway time and again shows more than any victory or silverware ever can. When coaches look at players and teams, the one thing they hope to see is honesty in their players. That a team, heavily outgunned, outplayed and outweighed in experience is able to continue to press to the point of exhaustion is an achievement that truly comes from within.

It is somewhat cliche'd to say they died with their boots on, but anyone who was served a pint in the CC later by Kieron "I really wish i were unconscious in bed" Bird will have seen a lad who had put his body through the match and then served us till the wee small hours...now that is commitment!

So the match continued, our lads on the end of a score line of lots and yet they pulled it together, held firm and crossed the whitewash for their own try which only they can tell you how it felt, but you would imagine each of them felt pride coming out their ears and so they should.

To steal from the mighty film, wallstreet, "Man looks in the abyss, there's nothing staring back at him. At that moment man finds his character. And that is what keeps him out of the abyss." Whilst the team didn't win, they certainly found character. That they returned to Harborne and cheerfully if tiredly drank with the rest of the club, tells more about what a great bunch of guys they all are and how proud we as a club should be to have them represent us. They drew admiration from the opposition, and by way of apology for what was a genuine error and oversight, Kings Norton gave them jugs of beer and further apologies were extended to the club fixtures secretary.

We as a club should be very proud of the way in which our team represented us all. It is one thing to win with grace, as demonstrated by our seconds, but it is a far greater thing to lose with grace, something that other clubs and teams unfortunately forget from time to time!

Well done to everyone who played, this is just the start of your season and the club is proud to support you all! It doesn't just end there however, The following week our lads returned to Kings Norton this time to combine with their squad to play alongside some of the previous week's opposition...if people weren't already aware of the Club's core Values, see Our Thirds!