Banger Banter. Newsletter 3rd Quarter 2009

You Will Always Be A Banger

2nd Quarter. July- September 2009

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THE BIG CHAIR

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Message from Tom Watters

BANGER NEWS

MY WHISTLE Dave Smith explains the new ELV’s

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ODD RUGBY NEWS

MOTS du CAPTAINE 6 THE French speak from the club captain

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GEOFF THE CHEF

CAPPIE 7 COLT Tates on the Banger Colts

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SWEET SPOT

9 BURGESS The club coach writes - READ

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BANGER HOROSCOPE

5 Overview of club activity

Pub scrap at the Bath Rugby Club Read the label

A littel golf from “Soi Dog” Its in the Stars !!!!!!!

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19 The Bangkok The Bangkok Bangers Bangers Rugby Rugby Club Club Are Are Sponsored Sponsored By By The The Following Following Fine Fine Companies Companies

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You Will Always Be A Banger

new

MY OPENING SHOT

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T HAS BEEN A BUSY QUARTER. Tours down to the eastern seaboard to the Chris Kays Memorial Tens and to the Overgaard International Tens in Phuket. In addition, there was a game against the Kriel Roosters from South Africa, just prior to the Phuket tournament. The Bangers now play in the Thai Rugby Union competition. Took some getting there. but we have arrived. The trick now is to put two competitive teams out each Saturday. A special thanks to the club photographers Johnn Jaspers and Robert Brewer. Like any rugby publication out there, the Banter is always looking for action shots. It not east to capture these and often involves hours on the sideline taking hundreds of shots just to get half a dozen good ones. Johnn and Robert always deliver. Thanks guys. Our club coach has also turned his hand to snapping the odd picture. He has submitted a couple of beauties. So thank you too Pete. We lost a Banger a couple of months ago. Pascal Leray. Pascal was popular player in the old boys squad and toured with the original Bangers to Limerick and to the Golden Oldies tournament in Brisbane. An appropriate ceremony was held at Wall Street with large turnout of members present for proceedings. One of Pascal’s other interests was sailing. He was an active member of the Ocean Marina Yacht Club. The after training beer record has tumbled again. Amazing.... Just when you think the lads can’t better that, they go out and break it again with style, flair and panache. Maybe the wrong choice of words. Nobody has style, flair and panache after drinking 130 large bottles of Heineken !!! Chris Dunning has done a great job selling the sponsorship packages for the current season. Given the difficult economic times, this was not an easy ask. Hey, he is a Banger. He can do anything. Remember, the Banter is your newsletter. If you have anything you ever want to add, please send your jottings to [email protected] Regards

Mike

EDITORIAL : Tom Watters, Jean “ Jeff Francois Klentzi, Peter Burgess, Andy Campbell, Rick O”Shea, Andrew Tatam, Geoff McKenna, Doug Ozzane, David Smith, Mike Laloli

CONTRIBUTORS : Andy Raming, Stewart Gorman PHOTOGRAPHY : Johnn Jaspers, Robert Brewer

WEBMASTER : Jason Manning

The Banger Banter is published quarterly for the Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club for members, sponsors and friends of the club and available through the website. Club members contribute all editorial and photography. The layout and design is provided by Ruck Graphics - a member of the Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club The Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club Are Sponsored By The Following Fine Companies

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(Conditions Apply)

You Will Always Be A Banger

THE BIG CHAIR

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S YOU READ THIS the Old Bangkok Bangers and the Colts will have participated in the Thai Rugby Union League Programme for the very first time. This is a real milestone for the club as it brings us further into the Thai rugby community. Let’s show the teams we play not only our kills on the field of play but how real rugby socializing should be. We have a game against the Southerners on 27th June and we plan to host a party afterwards at our new sponsor Bistro 33 restaurant on Soi 33. On sponsorship, Cris Dunning has done a great job in very difficult times in raising some good sponsorship both in cash and in kind and I thank him for that. I also thank all the sponsors who are continuing to support the Old Bangkok Bangers. Please give your support to our sponsors as much as they support us. The annual tour to Phuket has come and gone as has a few more brain cells of the tourists. Great

tour once again and very well organized by Foxy. Each year gets better. The performances on the field were also commendable in what has become a very hard tournament indeed. We convincingly retained the Weasel Cup with a 36 to 0 drubbing of the Phuket Viagrabonds. More of this will be inside the Banter. Once again we sponsored 4 kids schooling including one donated by Thomas from Chesa Restaurant who has now become one of our sponsors. He did this as punishment for losing the Tour mascot, a sin of the highest order. So the club marches on and we have a good programme of games and social events planned. Please keep an eye on the website and on the newsletter. Mike Laloli is our media and communications manager and he will ensure (so he tells me) that our communications will continually improve. Aw ra best Hamish Watters Chairman

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Banger News PASCAL LERAY (1956 - 2009) Pascal Leray, a member of

the club passed away recently. The popular Frenchman, one of the original Bangers, toured with the club to Limerick and to Brisbane. He will always be remembered for the eternal smile, that seem to light up a room. His other interest in life was sailing. As a member of the Ocean Marina Yacht Club in Jomtien he regularly sailed in the local and regional regattas. He sailing strategy was, “start fast and accelerate”. Celebration of life activities were held at Wall Street with Banger RC members and at the Ocean Marina amongst the sailing fraternity and family who travelled from France. After cremation rites, Pascal’s ashes were scattered on the Gulf of Siam. COLTS TAKE BOWL N PATTAYA

The Banger Colts entered the annual Chris Kays International Rugby 10’s with high aspirations. All weekend they toiled on the paddock at Horseshoe Point however, were eliminated from in Cup competition by a Thai composite side. the Thai Legends. They regrouped as the Bangers do, to scoop the Bowl in a tough final against our cross city rivals The British Club. More silverware on the bulging Wall Street trophy shelf. SILVERTAILS KEEP WEASAL CUP

The Banger Old Boys entered the Overgaard Phuket Tens 2009 knowing a lot was expected of them. The first task was keeping the Weasel Cup in the annual match against the Phuket Viagrabonds or put succinctly, keep the Weasel Cup bolted to the shelf at Wall Street were it has gathered dust for the last two years. Mission accomplished 36-0. The second challenge was winning the Coffin Dodgers division of the competition, The silvertails won the their first game against the Cairns Old Crocs however, they were eliminated in the second match, against a polished outfit from Singapore, the Wanderer Wrinklies.

EX BOKS TO SUPPORT BANGERS IN SA

The Banger Old Boys tour to Cape Town in 2010 is finding its legs. Support has now come from the South African Rugby community. The latest Banger signing is Naas Botha, the former great Springbok pivot who has decided to play for the Bangers during the tournament. Ground support and assistance has also come from another former Springbok Bobby Skinstead a popular visitor to Bangkok with the Jam Boys, who will be on hand to welcome the boys to Cape Town. BANGERS RAISE FUNS IN SWIMATHON

The Bangers entered a team in Patana International School Charity Swimathon. Twelve Bangers turned up and the team came third in the competition. Scoring points was not what it was all about. Raising funds for charity was the goal - 15.700 Baht. BOTTLE RECORD SMASHED AGAIN

The Banger after training drinking sessions are stuff of legions. In such pleasant surroundings it is easy to see why. The Red & White restuarant is just a short canter from the training pitch. After a cold shower and change you could have an ice cold Heinekin in your hand in five minutes. The record now stands at 130 large bottles of Heineken. RUGBY CELEBRITIES IN TOWN

The recent Bangkok Lions Celebrity Dinner at the Centara Hotel was another success. Guest speakers: Springbok: Naas Botha, Wallaby: Owen Finnegan and Welshman: Mike Watkins entetained the audience with rugby stories from the distance pass. The Bangers present, enjoyed the evening, with post dinner activity extending well past bed time. As would be expected ......... OWEN FINNEGAN VISITS WALL STREET

While in Bangkok, former Wallaby Owen Finnegan one of the keynote speakers for Bangkok Lions Celebrity Dinner, took time to visit Wall Street for a couple of beers. He joins a long list rugby celebrities that have made the effort to visit Wall Street while they are in town. They include; Eric Rush, Dean Richards, Glen Ella, Bobby Skinstad, Richard Loe, Steve Thompson, John Mitchell, Bob Dwyer and Dilap Kumar.

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the mots du captiane

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COMME CHAQUE ANNEE

OMME CHAQUE ANNEE, la troisieme edition de la Banter marque la fin d'un trimestre tres rugbystique. En effet en l'espace d'un mois nous avons enchaine les tournois de Pattaya et de Phuket mais aussi accueuillis l'equipe Sud Africaine des Kriel Roaster. En terme de resultats on peut se vanter de n'etre jamais rentre bredouille. De Pattaya, nous avons ramener la Bowl Cup et de Phuket, le titre qui nous est le plus cher, la Weasel Cup. Phuket qui aura ete une nouvelle fois un tour exeptionnel, preparer et manager par le maitre Soi Dog, qui reussi a loger, deguiser et rassasier plus d'une trentaine de touristes... Du Grant Art !!!! Depuis il a fallu se remettre au travail et rechausser les crampons car pour la premiere fois dans l'histoire du club, nous participerons au T.R.U. Contrairement aux annees precedentes, cette competition se deroulera de mi Juin a mi Juillet, ce qui n'est pas fait pour nous avantager en raison des nombreux departs pour les vacances d'ete. Heureusement on va pouvoir compter ceux qui reste pour relever le defi. En conclusion, pour cet ete, je souhaite de bonnes vacances aux branleurs qui s'en vont et bon courage aux valeureux joueurs qui vont porter bien haut les couleurs des Old Bangkok Bangers.

Jeff

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Colt Cappie COLTS CONTINUE TO PROGRESS AT FULL STEAM AHEAD!

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HAT A BUSY FEW MONTHS we have had with the Pattaya 10s, a visit from the Kriel Roosters from South Africa and the Phuket 10s. If you add in the preparation for our inaugural run in the TRU league competition it really is amazing that we can fulfill all of the games with our Bangers Band of Brothers. Well Pattaya first and a great weekend of Rugby played in festival style with the mighty Bangers once again making it into the Cup Competition on the Sunday and after a million and one games finally winning the Bowl against our Bangkok neighbours the British Club. Another trophy but one cannot help but wish it was the Cup which one day will be ours! On a personal note this also coincided with my graduation from spotty youth to 35 and a true Old Boy Banger for which I was truly grateful as were the other patrons who witnessed my rainbow show on the Saturday night I am sure..... The Kriel Roosters were next in town on their way to Phuket. This South African team were here to win and wanted the opportunity of honing their 10s skills against the best. Unfortunately they were busy so we played them. It was a big ask as we played them at 5pm on a Wednesday afternoon but still managed to round up about 15 lazy half a day Bangers to give them a good run around eventually losing in a 4th quarter before entertaining them at

the Red and White and Wall Street where we definitely won the 5th quarter. Phuket, Phuket or was that New York I forget.... We did verily go forth as a mixed bag of enthusiasm and age and the Old Boys did win a weasel but the Colts did not bring back anything apart from stitches on this occasion. A great tour which will be remembered for Committee calamity, Frenchness, Singing in the rain, Bang-aho Indians and carefree fun of the finest vintage. We again made the last 8 out of 24 teams by the way and then slid gracefully from view on a balmy Sunday afternoon. The TRU season will soon be upon us and then it will have gone and we will still be here so come what may let’s do our best to stick it up em....whoever they may be!

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BURGESS

Bangers Get A Reminder Call! HAT DIFFERENCE IT makes having 15 players on the field! Back to real Rugby was the

order last weekend for the Bangers, as we made our debut in the TRU. In what can only be described as a new & interesting chapter for Banger Rugby. Gone was the phonetic fast paced style of 7’s & 10’s to more stately style of 15’s. In the opening game, any chance of “free flowing” enterprising Rugby were dashed from the first whistle, as the referee felt the game was a stage were he could demonstrate his interpretation of the rules, which left many bewildered players & spectators. In both games frustration peaked to new levels as we adapted to 15’s again and struggled to come to grips with the local flavour (& the bias towards local teams). It is clear we must remain calm in the face of adverse decisions & continue to play our style of rugby regardless! Our next game against our old foes the Southerners promises to be an exciting encounter as we do battle for the 33 Challenge Cup currently held by the Bangers. I am confident our “shaky” start in the TRU & ill discipline are behind us as we go into our second game better prepared & tight lipped. Coach

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OFF THE WIRE LL BLACKS RUGBY LEGEND

Jonah Lomu is set to sign for French third division side Marseille Vitrolles, the club announced on its website. “Marseille Vitrolles is on the point of finalising the transfer of the greatest legend in world rugby,” a club statement said. “Lomu in Marseille, it is the promise of a great story of human interest that only rugby can produce and an exciting challenge for an exceptional player who has just one thing on his mind - to help his new club expand,” it added. The 34-year-old Lomu exploded onto the international stage at the 1995 World Cup in South Africa and he went on to become a global superstar in the sport as it moved into the professional era.

But after winning 63 caps for his country his top-flight career was cut short by a kidney illness that eventually required a transplant in July 2004. Subsequently he played for Welsh side Cardiff in 2005/2006 but without any great success after which he returned home to play for North Harbour. The Marseille Vitrolles website quoted Lomu as saying: “I took a sabbatical year to be at my pregnant partner’s side and to fully enjoy this important moment in any man’s life “Everyone thought I had ended my playing career, but that was wrong. I still feel the desire to play and it will be me alone who decides when to call it a day. “Marseille is the second biggest city in France and it deserves to have a top rugby side. The club now has the means to meet its ambitions and promotion to the second division is the priority for this year. “My ambition is to help a club like Marseille join the group of top clubs in France.”

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Over A Hennie WITH

Andy Raming

Editor : Hey Andy. Thought it was about time we chat to one the growing band of Americans we now have on board, playing with the Bangers. Andy : And there I was, thinking 1 was the only one. Editor : You come from St Louis I understand. The city isn’t exactly a rugby hotbed however you produce a good ice hockey and baseball team. Any explanation for this? Andy : St. Louis is not, not a hot bed for rugby. Editor : I understand you were not to happy about the NFL Cardinals moving South? Andy: I was two at the time the Cardinals re-located; I wasn’t to broken up about it. I knew at that time though that I would never become the Cardinals starting receiver (I guess I was a little crushed). Editor : How many rugby clubs are there in the city of St Louis ? Andy: There are currently 7 Clubs, 5 Collegiate teams, and 7 High school teams, 15 Casino’s , and more than 40 Strip Clubs. You tell me what the sporting intentions of the town are Editor : You have been in Bangkok for a while now clearly you seem to be enjoying yourself here Andy: So many libraries and fine art gallery’s. With all the cultural accoutrements in this city who wouldn’t enjoy themselves Editor : How did you end in playing rugby with the Bangers? Andy : Have you got a little time ??… A few years

back a Fairchild F-227 turboprop belonging to the US Air Force and carrying the Old Christians rugby team plus friends, relatives, and supporters from the States crashed near Nana Plaza. The pilot was off course and the reported location was incorrect, making the task of finding the site that much more difficult. The survivors huddled around the fuselage of the plane and waited for the rescue team to arrive. Night came and went with no sign of help. Another day came and went and still no rescuers. What little food aboard the plane was quickly consumed. Search and rescues teams were sent looking for the missing plane but they looked along the path where they expected the aircraft to have been, not knowing how badly off course it was when it went down Weeks passed and still no rescue. On the 60th day of their ordeal, two of the stronger survivors decided to make an attempt to hike out of Soi Nana to find help. Their ordeal was made famous by the movie, The Nana Conspiracy directed by the notable Thai film maker, Somchai Jones. I swear to you, that’s how I came to play with the Bangers.. Editor : The lads will have to get there head around that yarn. (I report it as it is told me) Where was your introduction to rugby in the US ? Andy: A friend of mine brought me out to one his practices in High School. My school didn’t have a rugby program. Editor : What sports did you play at high school and university? Andy : Apart from the casinos and strip clubs back home a kid hasn’t much time for anything else. CONTINUE ON PAGE 13

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MY SPORTING LIFE

STEWART GORMAN : A RUGBY GYPSY N A COLD February 1987 morning I headed off to watch my first ever rugby match. You could still stand in Twickenham’s North Stand then. England versus France, England lost something like 21-15 and I bought a £3.50 ticket for £20 pounds and life would never be the same. Unlike football my sport until then you could have fun in defeat too. Three months after attending my first rugby match I got a taste of playing. Someone who drank in my local organized a mini tournament involving the team I played football for and his rugby team. We played rugby one week, football the next and had cricket as a decider on the third week. This was a bad move for the football team because at the start of the next season six footballers were playing rugby for Wanstead and no rugby players had switched to football. I had a ball at Wanstead. The 2nd oldest rugby club in Essex with a tradition for being close knit. Our Colts sent Damien Cronin to our close rivals Ilford because we had enough second rows. He owes us big time as he went on from Ilford to play for Scotland many times. I made great friends at Wanstead and it’s impossible to mention them all but three stand outs Martin Johnson, Jason Leonard and Lawrence Dallaglio I owe a great deal to Adam Stiff (Mada Ffits) for suggesting rugby to me in the first place. He was my captain of vice (in charge of the beer jug) when we ran the second team for two seasons between 1992-1994 and was part of a small squad along with Trevor Burns that for more than a decade made every Saturday night during the rugby season a memorable one. We were part of a group affectionately known as the Brick Lane Mafia

because of our East London roots and would return there to finish off every Saturday night. The next person at Wanstead is Trevor Stadhart. Trevor was the first Wanstead captain (3rd team) to select me in 1987. Trevor is Jamaican and a sign that in years to come Jamaica would feature in my rugby CV. Last but not least is Micky Adams, an unmistakable figure at Wanstead. Micky took me under his wing when we were in charge of the second team and not really knowing how to achieve what we set out to do. Our policy of get ‘em drunk coupled with my inspiring pre match team talk of “give 100% lads and enjoy yourselves” was excellent but needed like minded people. Every week we got 13 like minded players who fitted the criteria of no matter the result week in week out enjoyment was the number one priority with no-one being criticized for any mistakes or wrong decisions. We adhered to that for the two full seasons I was captain except for one occasion and I’m sorry to say it was me who broke that rule but that’s a story for another day. We had a winning season and by November were the envy of the rest of the club The Bangers were only a twinkle in Trevor Day’s eye at the time so I’ll admit to playing for the Southerners at outside centre when I first came to Bangkok in 1997. There are two other Bangers I remember from those days who played for the Southerners. The real highlight though is not a rugby one but meeting my wife Jintana through work at the Embassy. I never let her know that because she thinks my rugby is more important to me and I make it a policy of never liking to prove her wrong! Returning to Wanstead in 1997 I became a regular second team flanker In those days we played left and right because no one was quick enough to play open side in the seconds. I managed break into the first team twice in that position. By the summer of 2000 I thought my playing days were

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coming to an end as I was turning into the utility player every club needs but one I did not want. One week full back for the fourths, next week first team 2nd row. Fortunately my wander lust came true and in October 2000 went to work in Jamaica. On arrival my first achievement was to sign for the Jamaica Old Boys (the Old Crocs). A great bunch of blokes who think like Kiwi refs in that there is no such thing as a forward pass provided your intention was to pass it back. Their club rule was no drinking a beer from the bottle. If you committed this heinous crime you paid the bill at the end of the night. A

rule that anyone only broke once knowing the Old Crocs craving for a Red Stripe or two! We entered an annual tournament in Cayman but Jamaica being Jamaica were an amenable shambles. I also put in the occasional guest appearance for the Sharks (they now play Rugby League), local lads who trained with the Old Crocs and helped them win their RU league in 2001 by beating their nearest rivals. I’ve got the medal to prove it. The Sharks had seen me train and had no doubts about my stamina because their captain’s invitation to play went something like this “Stewart would you turn up for us on Saturday, we are short (in numbers and height) but don’t worry we’ll do all your running” “After Jamaica I went to Angola where there was no contact rugby. It took nine months to find some touch rugby. The French oil company Total managed to book a red ochre football pitch for a couple of hours Wednesday nights. It might not sound much but it was heaven at the time.” And now here I am at my fifth club the Old Bangkok Bangers. The facilities this club has are

by far the best I have seen. The training in the lead up to matches is also the most enjoyable I’ve done. It was a surprise to be named Banger of the Year but an honour that I will always treasure. To paraphrase Hughie Green I mean this most sincerely folks I’d like to thank every player I have played rugby with both team mates and opponents because if it was not for you guys my world would be less enjoyable and certainly less entertaining. I’ll finish with a true story that reflects the true nature of grass roots rugby. At Wanstead one of our number 8s was being singled out by a referee for various minor misdemeanours but by all accounts the ref himself was having a nightmare of a game and knew it. In the second half after another decision had gone against him our No. 8 said “Hey ref what would you do if I called you a ***!” The ref replied “I’d send you off of course”. Wanstead’s No. 8 persisted “What would you do if I thought you was a ***!” The referee paused a moment before saying “well there’s nothing I could do if you thought it” With a triumphant gleam in his eye the reply came “Well in that case I think you are a ***!” The referee saw the funny side. I don’t think anyone knows the result of the game but that story is over thirty years old and still running.

Rugby Playing & Drinking Career

• 1987-96 Wanstead RFC - Fondest Memory - Jugs of lager and bottles of Molson • 1996 - 97 Southerners RFC - Fondest Memory - Heineken and Jintana (the wife) • 1997 - 2000 Wanstead RFC - Fondest Memory - Guinness and bottles of port • 2000 - 03 Jamaica Old Boys - Fondest Memory - Red Stripe and Appleton’s Rum • 2004 - 06 Luanda Barbarians - Fondest Memory - The flight out • 2007 - ???? Bangkok Bangers - Fondest Memory - Heineken with more to come.

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Editor : Your coach tells me you are very strong defensively and have a high work rate on the paddock? Andy : Much obliged Mike. Pete is a man of his words, who calls it like he see’s it. Editor : He also said you “had hands like Trevor”

CONTINUE FROM PAGE 1O

How am I suppose to interpret that? Andy :THE COACH DOESN’T KNOW HIS ASS FROM A HOLE IN THE GROUND!!!! Who the f#&% is Trevor? Editor : Hit a nerve there!!!!. Lets change the subject matter. Do you have any plans to go back and live in States? Andy: One way, or another Mike. Editor : Andy, Thanks for your time. You have added a lot to the club since you been here. Now, how about a beer Andy : Good One

THE WALL OF KNOWLEDGE COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO I passed by the Wall of Knowledge on the way to the toilet with the infamous spitting tap, There was the usual gaggle of members, players, pretenders, interlopers and know-it-alls gathered around the Wall with a Heineken securely in hand, with the powerful motivation to get the final word in on the subject under discussion. The Wall of Knowledge patrons Wall of Knowledge Members 1926 are not good listeners. It was the weekend of the Super 14 final, so there was a lot at stake, or so they thought. The issue was, whether the referee was going to have an impact on the game, a popular conversational point in rugby watering holes around the planet. Referees these days are more visual than their peers from yesteryear. Rugby has changed and it could be argued that it is no longer sport but entertainment. With all the wire hanging off a ref these days, Michael Jackson - RIP - would not have looked out of place in the center with a whistle. As we know the Bull thrashed the Chiefs. And the referee had a quiet day. The thrashing was so comprehensive that the Wall of Knowledge went quiet, until the next topic arose. About 20 seconds.........

• Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me, either. Just leave me alone. • The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a leaky tyre. • Never test the depth of the water with both feet. • It may be that your sole purpose in life is simply to serve as a warning to others. • If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a couple of credit card payments. • Before you criticise someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticise them, you’re a mile away and you have their shoes. • If at first you don’t succeed, skydiving is not for you. • Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat & drink beer all day. • If you lend someone 500 baht, and never see that person again, it was probably worth it. • If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything. • If you drink, don’t park; accidents cause people. • Good judgment comes from bad experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment. • The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.

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LET ME EXPLAIN THE NEW ELV’s

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I, AND WELCOME TO the 3rd edition of My Whistle for 2009. There has been so much rugby played since I last put pen to paper! By the time you read this, the Pattaya and Phuket International 10’s will have been and gone, the Bangers first forray into the TRU competition will have taken place, the British and Irish Lions 2009 Tour to South Africa will have been won and lost (don’t know by who at the time of writing), plus numerous other internationals all over the globe will have taken place. You might have thought that all this rugby would have been played under those dreaded ELV’s and of course you’d be wrong! Finally on 23 May 09, the IRB ratified the recommendations made by the IRB Rugby Committee and approved 10 of the 13 global ELV’s for adoption into the Laws of the Game. The recommendations were unanimously approved and the integrated set of Laws was implemented globally from May 23, or from the start of the next domestic season where competitions transcend the implementation date. So what does that mean for us grass roots type clubs, players and supporters?.....oh and refs! Well, for those playing in the TRU competition which has just started, you should all be playing to the 10 ELV’s that have been implemented with effect from 23 May 09. Any other games should be played under the full set of ELV’s until the start of the next season. However I think in reality all that the Bangers are involved in will be played under the newly implemented Laws. In addition to the suite of global ELVs, three Union-specific ELVs were also approved for integration into Law. These include the ability for a Union to implement a maximum 15-minute half time in matches under its jurisdiction. Quite handy in the temperatures we often need to play in, in Bangkok! This does not apply to international matches however. Unions may implement

rolling substitutions at defined levels of the Game, another bonus for our more senior or larger players! And finally, a Union may implement the Under 19 Scrum Law Variation at a defined level of the Game under its jurisdiction. So there you have it, the ELV’s are not dead (apart from 3), but are now fully implemented into the Law. This whole process started way back in 2004 would you believe! Has it made rugby better? I’m sure you’ll all have your differing views. Whatever they may be, it’s something to fuel debate over a couple of beers and that has to be a good thing! The following ELVs are to be adopted into Law: Law 6 – Assistant Referees able to assist Referees in any way the Referee requires Law 19 – If a team puts the ball back in their own 22 and the ball is subsequently kicked directly into touch there is no gain in ground Law 19 – A quick throw may be thrown in straight or towards the throwing team’s goal line Law 19 – The receiver at the lineout must be two metres back away from the lineout Law 19 – The player who is in opposition to the player throwing in the ball must stand in the area between the five metre line and touch line and must be two metres from the line of touch and at least two metres from the lineout Law 19 – Lineout players may pre-grip a jumper before the ball is thrown in Law 19 – The lifting of lineout jumpers is permitted Law 20 – Introduction of an offside line five metres behind the hindmost feet of the Scrum Law 20 – Scrum half offside line at the Scrum Law 20 – The corner posts are no longer considered to be touch in goal except when the ball is grounded

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You Will Always Be A Banger

against the post So that’s what is in, anyone out there workout what’s out? OK, Let me help. 1. We are back to the throwing in team determining the numbers of players in the line out and the nonthrowing in team being given a reasonable amount of time to comply. Which means us poor refs are back to counting numbers at the line out and we return to the endless shouts of “Numbers ref!” Even if it would actually be to your advantage to shut up and let us award you the free-kick!

2. No pulling down of the maul anymore! Note I said ‘pulling down’ and not ‘collapsing’. Collapsing was actually illegal even under the ELV’s! But never mind, you can forget all of that now, both pulling down and collapsing the Maul, is not allowed. 3. The final ELV that is didn’t get implemented into the Law is the reference to do with joining a maul with your shoulders lower than your hips. A bizzare position to get into, but there you go, don’t do it (even if you could!).

RUGBY NEWS

BATH TRIO RESIGN OVER BAR BRAWL SCANDAL ATH RUGBY PLAYERS Michael Lipman, Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins resigned from the club with immediate effect on Monday after a probe into an alleged bar brawl. Australia’s Bath lock Justin Harrison, another who had been alleged to be involved in the disturbance, has since announced his retirement from rugby. Reports last month claimed that several Bath players had been involved in a fight with rival players from Harlequins at a Fulham pub in London on May 10, just 24 hours after both sides had been eliminated from the Premiership play-offs. The lurid stories also suggested there had been drug-taking at the end of season party. Bath launched an immediate investigation and Lipman, Crockett and Higgins were due to appear at a hearing into the incident, but all three quit

before the hearing could take place. England flanker Lipman, 29, and Crockett, 27, were Bath’s joint captains. Bob Calleja, the club’s CEO, said in a statement: “Michael Lipman, Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins had been required to appear at an internal disciplinary hearing today to address the failure on three occasions to take a drugs test following allegations surrounding player conduct on Sunday May 10. “Immediately before the hearings were due to take place the players resigned from the club with immediate effect. “The club regards this as an internal matter and intends to make no further comment.” Bath have been hit by a recent drugs scandal after England international prop Matt Stevens received a two-year ban following a positive test earlier in the season.

THAI RUGBY YOUTH PROGRAM

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Banger Banter JULY - SEPTEMBER 2009

You Will Always Be A Banger

Banger Resident Chef and Food Technologist

TASTE IS OK BUT…ERRR! UST ABOUT EVERY DAY we have Doctors, Dieticians and anybody who thinks they have an inkling about food tell us that we need to eat more healthy foods. This is all very good but unfortunately its easier said than done. For example; as I write this column of enlightenment, I am happily munching away on a chocolate bar. It is a very popular brand of chocolate bar but I’m not sure if it fits into the healthy category. Browsing through the ingredient list on the side of the packet there are no less than twenty ingredients listed, of which emulsifiers and stabilizers account for eight of them…so, my thinking is that maybe it doesn’t

quite fit into the healthy category. Having aroused my curiosity, I wandered into the kitchen to browse the labels of some of the canned foods I keep on hand for those occasions when I’m too bloody lazy to cook something decent. Well, I didn’t have to look far, in front of me was a can of famous brand soup. The label tells me its Baked Potato with Cheddar and Bacon Bits which sounds bloody fantastic. I turned the can around to the ingredient list and all of a sudden I wondered whatever possessed me to buy this crap. It is quite unbelievable, The main ingredients and ingredients that contain traces of other ingredients is a staggering Ninety Four…yes, 94 ingredients.!

Imagine 94 ingredients laid out on a table in front of you…and its only a can of soup for crying out loud!! Even the humble can of Spaghetti in Tomato Sauce has not been spared the bucket chemistry mentality with a list of twenty five bits and pieces thrown together inside the can. Enough of reading can labels, I figured that you can’t do much to stuff up natural, uncooked frozen food, so, into the freezer I went and picked up a slab of prepacked meat. I looked at the ingredient list, which was basically a bunch of numbers situated in a very small space on the side of the pack and…HOLY SH@$%.! The numbers sound harmless enough, as they would, but the following list translates what these numbers mean in plain language – (if you can guess what this lump of meat is before you get to the end of the list I will be most impressed.!) Meat (61%); Water; Salt; Maltodextrin; Mineral Salts [451-Sodium Tripolyphosphate, 450-Disodium Diphosphate, 452-Potassium Polyphosphate]; Soy Protein; Sugar; Starch; Acidity Regulator [500-Sodium Sesquicarbonate]; Antioxidants [316-Sodium Erythorbate, 331-Sodium Citrate]; Stabilizers [412-Guar Gum, 415-Xanthan Gum]; Preservative [250-Sodium Nitrite]; Color [124-Ponceau 4R]. (By the way, Ponceau 4R is an illegal additive in the United States).

Would you believe that this lump of meat was actually labeled as CORNED BEEF. Its a terrible thought that we pay top dollar in Thailand for imported goods, which in this instance, contains 39% rubbish. It should be no surprise that the taste and texture of this lump of meat-like substance was as appalling So, to all you Bangers, if you are on a health kick, it is a good idea to read the ingredient list before you buy anything, otherwise, my advice to you for you to be able to enjoy your next pre-packaged food item…

DON’T READ THE LABEL.!

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Banger Banter JULY - SEPTEMBER 2009

You Will Always Be A Banger

Phuket International Ten’s 2010

The Old Boys and Colts at the the recent rugby tournament in Phuket. One of the tour highlights of the Banger year. The Thai children the Old Bangkok Bangers sponsor through the Asia Centre Foundation. were at the stadium over the weekend.

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Banger Banter JULY - SEPTEMBER 2009

You Will Always Be A Banger

SWEeT SPOT

Clubhouse

Rick O’Shea

Foxy - The Banger Golf Facilitator

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LANNING IS UNDERWAY organising the next Banger Golf Tournament. Expect something different this year. A Magical Mystery Tour springs to mind. More about this shortly, One thing I can guarantee there will be a few suprises. Old Bangkok Bangers just love suprises...... • A recently retired Banger bought a set of golf clubs Thinking he’d try the game, he asked the local pro for lessons, explaining that he knew nothing whatever of the game. The pro showed him the stance and swing, then said, “Just hit the ball toward the flag on the first green.” The novice teed up and smacked the ball straight down the fairway and onto the green, where it stopped inches from the hole. “Now what ?” the fellow asked the speechless pro. “Uh... you’re supposed to hit the ball into the cup.” the pro finally said, after he was able to speak again. “Oh great ! so NOW you tell me.” said the beginner in a disgusted tone

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ALL STREET WAS visited by the Kriel Roosters team from South Africa. Sometimes you wonder what these boys eat. Some massive guys there. The Bangers played them in a friendly for a warm up match for the Pattaya 10’s The yarpies ran out winners in the last quarter. The Lions hosted their celebrity dinner on the 6th June. The Clubrooms had a visit from Owen Finnegan, ex Wallaby enforcer. He was a guest speaker at the dinner. Rather a pussy off the field but would hate to meet him on the field. He had a few “encounters” with Jerry Collins in his playing days. The Bangers have entered for the tour to Cape Town next year for the Vintage Rugby Tournament. Anybody interested in this trip of a lifetime please see me. After years of negotiating to get a team in the Thai Rugby Union competition, the Bangers suddenly end up with two teams in the competition. The Bazil and Boris Riding Academy now use Wall Street as their clubrooms. Their big Anzac week ride went exceptionally well with no incidents throughout the trip. The HD’s managed to.keep up with the Jap boys. A HOG trip is planned in October.

• After a bad round of golf, Robert decided not to go into the clubhouse and go straight home. As he was walking to the car park to get his Range Rover, a policeman stopped him and asked’, Did you tee off on the seventeenth hole about twenty minutes ago?’ ‘Yes’, Robert answered ‘Did you happen to slice your ball so that it went over the trees and out of bounds and completely off the golf course?’ ‘Yes, I did. How did you know?’ Robert questioned. ‘Well’, said the policeman gravely’, Your golf ball flew out onto the main road and smashed he windscreen of a BMW. The car driver lost control and crashed into six other cars and a fire engine. The fire engine was unable to reach the fire in time and the building burned down. Now, what do you intend to do about it?’ Robert thought carefully and responded’, I think I’ll close my stance a little bit, tighten my grip and lower my right thumb.’ The Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club Are Sponsored By The Following Fine Companies

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You Will Always Be A Banger

Chris Kays Memorial Rugby Tens

The Colts travelled down to the Pattaya for this popular seaside Rugby Tens. The lads brought back silverware and found time to party big time in the traditional Banger style

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Banger Banter JULY - SEPTEMBER 2009

You Will Always Be A Banger

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T IS AN ESTABLISHED fact that the positions of the planets at one’s birth control and guide one’s destiny. The following will assist you in understanding and accepting your heaven-decreed personality and your rugby playing traits. Bangers, your game is in the stars! Read on.......

Aries (Mar. 21 - Apr. 20): A disciplinarian, the typical

Aries personality comes to the fore during practice, and when made a team captain he wears down all the forwards with continuous sprinting exercises. The player who constantly shouts is undoubtedly an Aries. Other signs hope the Aries voice gives out but it never does. (And if it does he has a whistle to carry on.) Aries natives usually get their heads stamped on in rucks. Taurus (Apr. 21 - May 20): The sign of the prop forward. Stubborn, bullish and forceful, the typical Taurean would butt his way through a thick oaken door to get to a beer. People born under this sign usually smell like animals, challenging the ability of the second row to bind into the scrum without keeling over from the fumes. Taureans may be playing in other positions, but they belong in the front row. With rings in their noses. Os du Randt is a Taurus. Gemini (May 21 - June 20): The sign of the second row; two gallant players who must bind together to provide the awesome pushing power that is the engine room of the scrum. Gemini natives are ideal players, and impress others with their manliness, Homeric size and all-around sociability in the aftermatch parties. Gemini is obviously the best zodiac sign for rugby just as second row is obviously the best position in rugby. Cancer (June 21 - July 22): Cancer is the sign of the crab. Therefore, Cancerians should always bring talcum powder to matches to avoid crotch itch, otherwise their constant scratching makes them look just like chimpanzees. Cancers usually complain a lot and leave practice early, to the relief of others. Leo (July 23 - Aug. 22): Napoleon was a Leo, and those born under this sign think they have his military skills and charisma. They therefore become referees, coaches and blustering Old Boys. In

reality, Leos won’t play in a match because they are little cowards who can’t hack it. When referees, Leos insist on being addressed as “sir” and demand plaques, cups and other awards and presentations. Virgo (Aug. 23 - Sep. 22): Virgo the Virgin; this is the sign of the prissy, goody two-shoes fuss bag who objects to swearing, smoking and any lineout contact whatsoever. Needless to say, they couldn’t tackle to save their lives. The Virgo player is therefore usually found playing back positions - usually fly-half or fullback. (But Virgo natives born under less than auspicious planetary positions often become hookers.) Natives of this sign iron creases in their shorts and wear hair gel during matches. Percy Montgomery is a Virgo. Libra (Sept. 23 - Oct. 22): The sign of gender benders - that player in the women’s XV who looks and acts suspiciously like a man is no doubt a Libra. And that effete guy in the men’s club who spends a lot of time in the showers is probably a Libra, too. Do you tackle them or not? Do you want to get in a scrum with one, let alone hoist one by the shorts in a line out? Players born under this sign cause a lot of confusion in the game. Scorpio (Oct. 23 - Nov. 22): In many ways the worst of the lot. Scorpio natives are control fanatics and are usually found barking orders to other players all during the game, whether they are team captains or not. Persons under this sign are often found in the smokefilled, dimly-lit headquarters of regional, national and international rugby football unions, raising club dues and issuing ultimatums about player certifications. The guy who introduced professionalism to the game of rugby was undoubtedly a Scorpio. Sagittarius (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21): People born under this sign think themselves versatile but are really a pain. Sometimes they’re flankers, sometimes centers. It goes without saying they do neither especially well. (The only thing keeping them from playing prop is fear

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Banger Banter JULY - SEPTEMBER 2009

You Will Always Be A Banger

and panic.) They feel no sense of club solidarity, either, and are often found at matches offering their dubious service as rugby whores. The Sagittarius rarely wears the same club jersey twice in a row, and must be able to memorize many sets of lineout codes. Capricorn (Dec. 22 - Jan. 19): The sign of the goat, Capricorns are filthy and disgusting. The typical habitat of this type is the muddy patch invariably found in front of the goalposts, or in the very center of the pitch. During the after-match parties, the native of this sign can be found sitting by himself in a booth with spilled food strewn all around. Capricorns always have stains on their jerseys. If you see a player walk over to the edge of the pitch during a lull in the game, belch, pass gas and hoik snot out of his nose while wives, sweethearts and children look on, you’ve found a Capricorn. Aquarius (Jan. 20 - Feb. 19): The water bearer; most Aquarians are utterly useless on the pitch and fit only to fetch the water during half-time. This is the sign of the career field officer. If you see a guy spending a lot of time fetching things like cones and line-making equipment but never ever playing in an actual match, chances are he’s an Aquarius. The Aquarius native is also skilled at walking into the goal posts and stumbling into others during practice. These people are why liability insurance is so important in rugby. Pisces (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20): Since this is the sign of the fish, Pisces natives always reek after matches. But due to a misplaced sense of rugged manliness - or the fact that they cannot convince women to marry them, let alone do their laundry - they refuse to properly wash their kits and therefore smell all the time. They usually insist on hanging around and talking extensively to any good-looking babes who have wandered by to watch the match, causing women to avoid games altogether. Nobody wants to be in a maul or a scrum with a Piscean.

A HEALTHY BANGER

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ABY BOOMERS and rugby players have something in common: Pain. If you can’t play in pain, you can’t be a member of either team. I don’t know about anyone else, but I am getting to the point where I have at least one thing bothering me at all times. Feeling my pain? Have you gotten to where, if there isn’t something wrong with you when you wake up in the morning you feel like something’s wrong with you? Join the club. I wish I could say my injuries were the result of manly man pursuits, rugby or drinking a lot of beer. I can’t. Which is not to say I don’t have manly man injuries. For example, last year I had a shoulder injury rotator-cuff problem. Unfortunately, the similarity ends there. While most the rugby injuries stem from athletic competition, I hurt my shoulder at what you might call athletic competition at the lowest level ... sleeping. I’m not kidding. I slept on my shoulder the wrong way one night and woke up unable to lift my arm over my head. I’m out of pain now, but it took six months. I also tore cartilage in my knee jogging on a grass track. Oh, and check this one out, I once developed tendinitis in my thumb trying to watch too many things on television at the same time. Additionally, I have been injured sneezing and getting up to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Now, I don’t know about women, but if you are a man, there is no way you can explain how a typical baby boomer injury occurred and still retain a modicum of self-respect. Seriously, you’re going to tell the lads that you pulled a hamstring taking out the rubbish? I don’t think so. It’s more likely you’re going to say it happened during an ultimate fighting match, or sking down Mount Everest or engaging in tantric sex. When you get to be a baby boomer, even the truth hurts.

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You Will Always Be A Banger

Contact Cris Dunning for Further Details

The Sideline Eye

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HERE ARE TIMES when we need to sit back and take stock of where we are and where we are headed. Sometimes we leave it to chance or sometimes we strive to make it happen. Either way we never know the outcome and are often surprised by the result. Sitting on the rugby sidelines can be just as exhausting as actually playing, Sure, your not taking the hits, but you can always see what could and should have been. If only he would have passed, kicked, taken the tackle, set the ball up. I think we are all experts when it comes to commenting on the game What I don't agree with, is the abusive way some of us vent our frustrations on the team, the coach and of course the referee.YOU FU%$KING IDIOT, WHAT A DICK HEAD etc etc The players and others, that bring to us the action should be respected for putting up with our scrutiny week in week out by the armchair critics. We are never viewed by millions on TV, written about in the judgemental media. All we do is simply

sit in our drinking establishment of choice, and become critical of a teams performance. No one likes a politician and everyone thinks they could do better. Being a critic is very different than being critical. Enough said. Remember the Sideline Eye is always watching.

GIFT VOUCHER

CHRIS HARTLEY

Player of the Tournament International/Seafood Buffet for Two

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You Will Always Be A Banger

BANGER Humour A WELSH LAD A Welsh lad came home from school and told his mother he had been given a part in the school play. ‘Wonderful, ‘replies his mother, ‘what part is it?’ The boy says, ‘I play the part of the Welsh husband.’ The mother scowls and says, ‘Go back and tell your teacher you want a speaking part.’ A REALLY BAD DAY There was this guy at a bar, just looking at his drink. He stays like that for half of an hour. Then, this big trouble-making truck driver steps next to him, takes the drink from the guy, and just drinks it all down. The poor man starts crying. The truck driver says, “Come on man, I was just joking. Here, I’ll buy you another drink. I just can’t stand to see a man cry.” “No, it’s not that. This day is the worst of my life. First, I fall asleep, and I go late to my office. My boss, outrageous, fires me. When I leave the building, to my car, I found out it was stolen. The police said that they can do nothing. I get a cab to return home, and when I leave it, I remember I left my wallet and credit cards there. The cab driver just drives away.” “I go home, and when I get there, I find my wife in bed with the gardener. I leave home, and come to this bar. And just when I was thinking about putting an end to my life, you show up and drink my poison.” THE CARBURETTOR “The car won’t start,” aid a wife to her husband. “I think there’s water in the carburettor.” “How do you know?” said the husband scornfully. “You don’t even know what the carburettor is.” “I’m telling you,” repeated the wife, “I’m sure there’s water in the carburettor.” “We’ll see,” mocked the husband. “Let me check it out. Where’s the car?” “In the swimming pool.” DRILLING RIGHTS Dick Graham, an oil businessman, went to the chamber of a reputed lawyer. He wanted divorce proceedings against his young bride to begin at

once. The lawyer asked, “What’s the problem Dick. Why are in so much hurry?” Dick: “I want to hit that adulterant bitch for breach of contract,” The lawyer: “I don’t know if that will be OK,” “I mean your wife isn’t a piece of property, you don’t own her!” Dick: “You right advocate, but I had expected exclusive drilling rights STAGES OF DRUNKENESS 0 - Stone cold sober. Brain as sharp as an army bayonet. 1 - Still sober. Pleasure senses activated. Feeling of well-being. 2 - Beer warming up head. Finger food ordered. Barmaid complimented on choice of blouse. 3 - Crossword in newspaper is filled in. After a while blanks are filled with random letters and numbers. 4 - Barmaid complimented again. Try to instigate conversation. Order more finger food. 5 - Have brilliant discussion with guy on the next bar stool. Devise fool-proof scheme for wining lottery, sort out the British Irish Lions defense problems. 6 - Feel like a Demi-God. Map out rest of life on napkin. 7 - Send drinks over to woman sitting at table with boyfriend. No reaction. Scribble out and send message napkins to lady. Boyfriend asks you outside. 8 - Some slurring. Offer to shout a round. Fall over. Get up. 9 - Head-ache kicks in. Think about popping a couple of asprin 10 - Some doubling of vision. Fall over. Get up. Fall over. Impale head on corner of table. Fail to notice oozing head wound. 11 - Speech no longer possible. Eventually manage to find the door. Sit and take stock. Realize you have taken the wrong door and you are out in the back alley 12 - Put in cab by somebody. Give home address. Taken home. Can’t get key in door. Realize you’ve given the wrong address. Generally pleased at way evening has gone. Pass out

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You Will Always Be A Banger

WHAT THE PAPERS SAY

THE GREAT COMEBACK HIS COULD BE BASED on the Lions’ courage

in the previous two Tests and that they played by far the better rugby, but sport pays no attention to sentiment and you cannot say the Springboks did not deserve their victories because they summoned the will and found the way to win. The reason the Lions deserved this win was that, unlike in the second Test, they refused to allow their opponents back into the game after they started with far more cohesion and purpose. Had they not been able to subsume their bitter disappointments and failed again they would have deserved nothing; not for all their undoubted bravery and commitment. IRB must act on armband protest Those who shouted loudest the previous weekend, that any adverse comment after defeat was whinging, have been quickest to claim the Lions beat a Springbok second XV. They forget their pre-match supremacist boasting that their reserves were better than the best the northern hemisphere could offer. Also, that many knowledgeable South African observers thought the multiple changes strengthened their team, particularly in the centres where the Lions had unarguably been superior. Unfortunately for the Lions’ players and entourage, they are aware that within their own hands lay the outcome of all three Tests; it will haunt them for many years and some will say it would have been preferable to have had no chance of a victory. Therein is demonstrated the difference between the participant and the spectator. The latter would not swap the thrills of the last three weeks for any other form of loss. The former will take little from the remarkable tension and excitement, for their loss is personal, not vicarious. The Lions’ players know that their results are now part of the Lions’ story; to be compared with those preceding and succeeding. The greatest sadness of a Lions tour comes paradoxically from the things which produce the

most joy. It is unlikely that we will see again the centre partnership of Brian O’Driscoll and Jamie Roberts. It goes now into legend; joining other temporary combinations such as Fran Cotton, Bobby Windsor and Graham Price. The sweetness of their fleeting brilliance may be heightened by brevity, but its passing is inevitably tinged with regret. Cold analysis of the Lions concept must conclude that the strictures of the professional era make accomplishment more difficult. It was hugely important for the Lions to end a run of seven defeats, to demonstrate that these difficulties are capable of being surmounted. No sporting entity can survive where there is no possibility of it beating its opponent; the taking part is not enough. The benefits gained by the players as a result of being part of a Lions tour are real. These mean not only the individuals private memories, they will return better sportsmen. The four home unions must find a way through the tortuous corridors of conflicting interest to give the maximum possible time and hence chance, for future Lions teams to succeed. More than anything, this tour has reasserted traditional Lions values and ways. It should have conclusively buried the aberrations that made up the dreadful 2005 New Zealand tour and we should all be grateful for that

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Banger Banter JULY - SEPTEMBER 2009

You Will Always Be A Banger

A RUGBY YARN

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T WAS TIME AGAIN to take the annual

pilgrimage to Phuket. This year being older and wiser we decided to send a reconnaissance party ahead of the main group to find suitable training facilities for the team and organize tours of the local Wats as a cultural pick me up. Time spend in reconnaissance is seldom wasted and the four strong recon party soon had everything in hand and suitable sites observed. The main party led by the unflappable Soi Dog arrived at the hotel in fine form on the Thursday evening suitable attired in touring shirt and “chang “hat. To keep fitness up aerobics took part on the bus from the airport thanks to the efforts of DJ Eric. Having sorted rooms out and unpacked in orderly

fashion the tour headed for its club house away from home. The evening was spent quietly discussing line out calls and miss moves in preparation for the next days clash with the mighty Viagrabonds. All to soon it was 9.45 and time for the team to head for home for a well deserved slumber. Up with the lark the next morning for the normal pre breakfast training session followed by a light breakfast of musli and carrot juice .Then off to the stadium. Game faces on we arrived to the raptures of the sell out crowd. Time to defend the Weasle Cup. Straight from the opening kick off the finely tuned athletics thundered down the pitch to retrieve the ball, a couple of re cycles later and the opening score was had. The same result was achieved after the second kick off and the boys had their tails up. After such a opening salvo the Viagrabonds where clearly shell shocked so the Bangers brought on the secret weapon our 60 year old chairmen just to dishearten the opposition. The scoring went on relentlessly and by the final whistle the total was 36 to a valiant 0.The Weasle Cup was safely retained.

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THANK THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS FOR THEIR SUPPORT

S U P P O R T YO U R C LU B S P O N S O R S