The Game Of A Hallam Ranger

THE GAME OF A HALLAM RANGER

A game of two halves, a band of brothers and a ball.

Meeting the boys in the changing room.

Exchanging banter with your ‘brothers’., encouraging each other for the 80 minutes ahead.

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Cleaning what’s left from the week before off of your boots, making them almost brand new. They’re ready to be in the same condition by the end of the game, dirty with a wretched smell.

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Putting on the kit, taking pride in the colours you fight for. Making it your job to respect the colours and do your best to secure the win and make the team proud.

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Making sure to bring your gum shield; One of the few pieces of armour you can use in the sport you call Rugby. Played by the kind of men who don’t care for the safety of themselves, just plan to inflict fear on the poor souls against them.

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Making sure the ball is brought out. The most vital part of the game, without the ball there would be no aim, no order, to the mayhem of the game.

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You leave the changing room, game faces on, taking inspiration from the cleverlyplaced quote. To remember why you’re there, to help you remember what you’re fighting for.

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Walking out, you’re faced with a big green sea of opportunity. The team is ready, the atmosphere is so intense it’s warming the air. It is giving the team a taste of victory and it’s too sweet to lose.

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Feeling ready, you huddle with your band of brothers, hearing the captain demand excellence, and push the team to greatness.

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The dreaded bench is where you reside, for the first half at least. It’s out of your control. It’s up to the brothers you rely on for now.

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You’ve witnessed a nightmare, the opposition score a try and convert it. They lead by 7 points. You try to motivate your team, you don’t want their heads to drop.

We must move on.

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Your team has managed to pull a try back.

Unfortunately, we can’t convert. We trail by 2 but we are determined. We can see the victory.

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The referee settles the half. He’s saved both teams from a battle; it was sure to be a good one but we must calm our heads, focus on the second half. Still trailing, our mission is to act like a brick wall of defence. We can’t lose this.

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Now’s your chance, the coach has called you, time to show you belong on this team.

All the training and efforts are down to this. you push the team to put the first half behind them. You are ready.

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There’s a ruck five metres out. You need to be ready. This is to win the game. You call for the ball and charge for the line.

You collide with your opposite, coming off better you leap for the line. Touching the ball down on the line. You’ve done it. You’ve got the try.

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Your team gets the conversion, you lead by 5. Surely it’s too late for the opposition. The team has surely won this.

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The referee calls it, the 80 minutes are over.

The team has won, as a team, as brothers.

You have managed to overcome the opposition, overcome their early lead. It won’t be long before the team is basking in their glory in the clubhouse.

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The atmosphere booming, the crowd cheering. The boys chanting as you all walk down the tunnel.

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Back in the changing room, the team is happy. The showers are hot, the banter is flowing. The victory will only get sweeter.

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They boys are decked out, suited and booted. Ready to take on the night after the day’s victory.

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The team celebrates the win in the clubhouse, downing pints and some questionable chat. You’re in your element, you’re with your ‘family’. You’re about to start a night of partying and bonding and you can’t wait, you love playing rugby.

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