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At last our league season has
finished and only the traditional bout of sevens competitions stand
between Windsor and the Canadian tour which launches us into Southern
Counties North for the first time. Finally standing at second in the
league behind Tadley who must be congratulated for their application in
coming straight through the league in only two seasons. However they
achieved their feat it was done at the expense of Windsor who must look at
Tadley to see that the beginning of the season is actually the most
important at this level - Tadley had undoubtedly the hardest run-in of the
top sides but had the confidence of early league points to brush all but
ourselves aside. Apart from beating them the only solace in the success of
the champions is that one of their young backs 'Bart Madison' has
previously held up the Colts County Cup for Windsor before departing.
The future of the Windsor first XV
is safe. With many new
players filling the voids entwined in the top side for so long the comfort
zone of ‘players in depth’ has finally arrived to spoil Windsor’s
former easy selection meetings. Two players of note here are Rob McKinley
and Nick Druitt both of whom have played exceptionally well, as expected,
in addition to completing the sides balance. Rob has provided points from
his boot and added dimension to the former redundancy in the back line.
Nick’s style of play has been met with plaudits from all corners
of the field, which is where he normally heads with the ball – straight
running to Nick only requires that he doesn’t don a feather boa.
Now in probably only the third
season together the club favorites are beginning to gel and, for good
reasons only, becoming taken for granted.
The suggestion here is that we now expect Chaz to score in crucial
moments, Grant to go mental when the team is in low gear and all the back
line to be creating scoring opportunities on numerous occasions – the
sense of expectancy is high. From the many comments flying about the club post game a lot
is said about these stalwarts who remain faithful and play with heart and
vigor consistently – they should be congratulated for providing the
backbone of the success presented to the club.
Once when playing Windsor the
easiest ride was in the forwards namely the front five.
The opposition could plough the Queens garden with the WRFC eight
in reverse – at will they would pluck every ball thrown to towards the
lineout, as it was often directionless.
It is now the case that apart from the odd lapse in concentration
the game was won as soon as the efficiently built (AKA small) Windsor pack
neutralised the opposition (add your own expletive)…..big pack. The
Windsor eight must improve off-season as the ability of the pack has
several cracks without the nous to fill them when it invariably goes
wrong. Shear commitment alone
will not bring a league title – all the players give 110% to win every
game but endemically not enough give 110% to prepare to win.
At least were on the case.
Playing in the uncharted
‘Southern Counties North’ League following a RFU overhaul Windsor can
only hope for the best, this would be progression to South West 2 (no nose
bleeds yet). The more mobile players (the girls) will be parading at a
number of sevens competitions this year as their usual seasonal swan song.
To them this is a celebration of the season and the playing
standard in sevens is normally quite high - maintaining evasion maintains
the tan. Following this
section of the season the top side's (all welcome) will train (in some
way) throughout the season in preparation of the Canadian pre-season tour
and then the season itself.
For training information contact:
For Sevens Information Contact:
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The Players
Chas
Fearnley
Position:
Back Row
Weight:
14.5 Stone
Chas
is one of the more vociferous flankers literally taking it on the chin for
the sake of a Windsor victory. A prolific try scorer who normally gets
Windsor off the mark when they really need it. It is becoming extremely
boring awarding Chas man of the match on a continuing basis.
Grant
Melville
Position:
Back Row
Weight:
14 Stone
Captain
Marvel Melly Mel II is the true grit type of leader who can only lead from
the front and will gladly lead anyone who will follow over the top. His
natural leadership is augmented by a rugged playing style - look at his
bloody head - his scars bear testimony to his 'body on the line' ethos
practiced.
Louie
Adler
Position:
Fullback / Scrumhalf
Weight:
15 Stone
A
strongly built back he'd rather put his shoulder down than run around
opposition - "they are normally faster so why bother do anything
other than knock them on their arse". Educated at Pangbourne Sailors
College he is definitely no violet (possibly shrinking) and likes to roll
his sleeves up to do the dirty work with a few big hits.
Mark
Deakin
Position:
Second row / Number 8
Weight:
17 Stone
-
Weston
Hornets
-
Somerset
Schools
-
RAMC
Successfully
ending the lineout drought within the first team Mark came to Windsor as a
former fly-half-center-fullback learning his early skills on the south
coast. Avoiding inbreeding in the West country Mark was shunned by Slough
and arrived at Windsor to begin his second row career.
Darren
'Shakey' Chapman
Position:
Center
Weight:
14 Stone
No
owner of any green doors but the most sincere Sherman tank type center who
loves route one making him a favorite with the front five. When the chips
are down you can rely on the shakernator to liven things up with a monster
hit or a direct line of running to take him into opposition territory -
and he's a plumber.
Rob
McKinley
Position:
Fly half
Weight:
13 Stone
-
Scottish
Exiles
-
Berkshire
Schools
-
Berkshire
U21's & Colts
An
excellent player in any team Rob has added the efficient link between
forwards and backs that has been missing for many seasons at Windsor. Rob
is a successful place kicker and will make Windsor score points when often
in the past they would not. With the appearance of Ryan Giggs Rob often
has
hoards
of sad blokes asking for his autograph and the sharing of a taxi.
The
"Front Row"
Chris
Gibson
Position:
Tight head
Weight:
14.5 Stone
-
Berkshire
Colts
-
London
Welsh Colts
As
an extremely young player Gibbo has made many old solders look incompetent
to say the least. Only going forward Gibbo is unlikely to pass unless you
scream and offer a brief whereabouts. Always looking for someone to
discuss the aesthetics of pushing (nocturnal or otherwise) Gibbo will do
anything
for you especially if you are a female looking for his fitness training
expertise.
Julian
Phelan
Position:
Hooker
Weight:
15 Stone
A
exceptionally well built person with extensive intelligence and veeeeeery
big feet earning him the nick-name 'Lunch Box'. Julian is possibly the
most popular person in Windsor if not the globe, he has a mass of admiring
women eager to just touch him.
His
chiseled features have required that his Marine Biology skills have been
needed all over the world culminating in the rescue of thirty drowning
kittens - with no regard for his own safety.
Andrew Towler
Age:
24
Position:
Wing/Centre
Weight
: 10 Stone
Submitted
by: Robert McKinlay
Andrew Towler, or "Tolly", has been a long-time member of
WRFC and is now in his 3rd year of regular 1st team action. The
"Windsor whippet", or "Try-Time" is a flying
10-stone centre who is happy playing out of position on the wing for the
greater good of the team. Tolly took top try-scoring honours for the
1sts in 1998/99 and has at times been known to sacrifice basic handling
skills for pure speed - much to the joy of his many female followers who
love to watch his tanned legs burning into the try area.
Jonathan 'Brett' Gilbert
Age:
31
Position:
Prop
Submitted
By: Himself
Accreditations:
-
Vale
of Glamorgan.
-
Cardiff
Schools.
-
Barry
Boys Comprehensive 1st XV.
-
West
of England University 1st XV.
-
First
man on the moon, (that's the moon.)
-
University
of Wales, Cardiff.
Lacking
a kneecap this slightly rotund, dark haired FWB joined Windsor in 1991.
When he smiles, his opposite number knows it's going to be an easy game.
Prefers the 'Open Game', but is not necessarily an advocate of it.
Career
Points: 4
When
playing against Tadley, remember the motto, "Do it for Gilbert!"
Tarek Qutteineh
Age:
25
Position:
Centre
Submitted
By: Brett Lewis
Accreditations:
-
Berkshire
Schools
-
Berkshire
Colts (capt)
-
South
West Colts
-
London
Irish Colts
-
London
Irish U21
-
Berkshire
U21 (capt)
Another
14st Centre with bulldozing qualities. Although lacking more pace than the
forwards, his thinking qualities ensure his is always near the ball. More
of a creator than a finisher he has a pass that has seen him wear the
number 9 shirt on several occasions. A strong tackler who often can be
seen frolicking with members of the opposition.
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