The Medics squad took part in an excellent training session last Thursday night, at the Crusaders Rugby Club in Little Melton, led by Mr Nick Greenhall of the RFU. The session was varied and enjoyable and the committee have received a lot of positive feedback. There were a number of new faces and I am pleased to report that we now have a full squad for matches, and are gaining strength in depth in a number of positions. There are a number of female players attending regularly and we are optimistic that with a further recruiting effort, we will have enough players to form a women’s squad as well.
This was our first session at Crusaders, who have kindly agreed to us using their facilities for training and home matches over the coming season. The welcome from the committee and the players at the club has been warm and friendly, and we hope that our association continues to strengthen.
The fixtures calendar is beginning to take shape, with our first match drawing ever closer, away to Norwich IVs on 29th October. Our first NAMS match is 12th November, away to Warwick. This match will form part of a mini-tour to Warwick, in association with the UEA Medics football team and netball team, leaving Saturday morning and returning Sunday evening. Our first home match is 26th November against Brighton, again a NAMS match.
The committee have decided on a slight changing of the structure, as a result of which Mr Savage now changes from President to Chairman, although responsibilities remain largely the same.
See you all Thursday,
The Chair.
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Saturday, September 24, 2005
Southwold Beach Rugby Report
NMRFC Southwold tour, 2005.
Taking multi-disciplinary working to another level, the Norwich Medics Rugby Football Club (NMRFC) avec physio, carpenter et 7 year old kid bravely ventured out of the protective boundaries of Eaton Park Stadium, bound for Southwold to give those rugby oiks a lesson or two in tent-pitching, cow tipping and hand-eye coordination.
We set off from UEA at a ridiculously early hour (10am), chauffeured by one Mr. Greenhall, RFU development officer for Eastern Counties, Captain of North Walsham 1st XV and generally incredibly patient gent still under the impression that we could be of any use medically. Proving once and for all that map reading is probably best left to blokes, the girls managed to pull up at the beach a couple of hours post-kick-off. Fortunately word of these bloodcurdling bandits had reached the ‘organisation’ tent, so their play offs were delayed until last.
After a slightly embarrassing inability to work out the total cost of our team at registration, the day started to perk up. The ‘men’ were out first against the Unthank lads. Armed with only our team spirit and violet flowery head bands, we did battle, coming out with the first win in the rugby club’s history (10-5). After reminding hulk of the non-contact nature of tag rugby, and hence the lack of rationale to dump the opposition, we powered onto our next game. Our second match saw us up against a pink clad bunch with a somewhat unhealthy victorious intent. However, through a special relationship with the ref, and a skill apparently ungraspable by the opposition (playing by the rules…diving…!), we managed to land a somewhat dubious draw. It was after this wake up call, that we decided it was time to unleash our secret weapon: four foot and five inches of raw power: Greenhall jnr. This little machine had a warm up during the girl’s first game, in which some rather good rugby was played, all credit going to Miss. Fraser for her stunning first rugby performance. Similarly dazzling feats arose from our team physio and both the indistinguishable Miss. Greigs, although if we’re honest, the girls we bribed from other teams to play did seem to keep us in the game.
Although only 7 minutes, each game induced severe hypoxia in all, with the desire to be subbed off becoming greater every minute.
The third men’s match was our greatest hour, landing us our most substantial victory of the day, and really allowing us to make the most of the ‘bunker’ in our side of the pitch - when the opposition finally got through our lines, their offensive was rapidly subdued with at least one sprained ankle, and, to our delight, a dropped ball. Hoorah.
The girls managed to secure a victory in one of their matches, tries arising from the likes of Emma, Biggs, Claire & Mandy.
Basking in our glory, we decided to scurry off & pitch our tents before our next game. However, those merry men ‘organising’ the competition decided to call our next game 45 minutes earlier than timetabled, which considering they were running an hour behind the timetable was a feat of organisation, testament to the effect of alcohol on an already overstretched mind. On our return we realised that our hopes of victory at Southwold had been somewhat dashed, and so, with our tails between our legs, we began the arduous processes of drinking games, beach cricket and teaching Mr. Greenhall’s boy discourteous words and rhymes. Our poor spirits were aided by the sight of an attention-seeking young man, bearing all, running across the pitch where a ladies quarter final was in progress, only to be dump tackled by an apparently unamused player.
We stopped in Southwold to do justice to the local brew (or Pimms for those with tolerance issues), and to pester the chap in charge of the trampolines. However, with an under 16s only rule, we had to settle for enviously watching Jnr strutting his stuff. Repeatedly.
Restraining ourselves from heartily singing ‘the driver’s has a few too many’, we made our way back to the campsite to prepare for Kangaroo court and a Wild West theme night, to be greeted by rugby hymns like ‘My name is Jack (na na na na na na na)…’. With Hulk & Shipman presiding, Kangaroo Court saw the trails of Camp America, Gerwanablow et al for crimes including maternal instincts (Miss. Smith…), cutting members of your own team (Dave), Attempting to Disturb the Peace (Terrorism Act 2000 – Parkianathan) & sleeping with the enemy (Parr).
Our Wild West theme night proved to be a success with the ‘random method’ giving success to Miss. Riley and the tragic finding that female rugby players aren’t easy (Mr. Duffield – prior to Sam-Jenga once he had lost all consciousness).
The following morning we returned to Norwich, and en-route ensured that Master Greenhall was fluent in obscenities, and thus capable of conversing competently with any footballer should the sorry occasion ever arise.
So, our training paid off – Won 2, drew 1, forgot to turn up the other.
Taking multi-disciplinary working to another level, the Norwich Medics Rugby Football Club (NMRFC) avec physio, carpenter et 7 year old kid bravely ventured out of the protective boundaries of Eaton Park Stadium, bound for Southwold to give those rugby oiks a lesson or two in tent-pitching, cow tipping and hand-eye coordination.
We set off from UEA at a ridiculously early hour (10am), chauffeured by one Mr. Greenhall, RFU development officer for Eastern Counties, Captain of North Walsham 1st XV and generally incredibly patient gent still under the impression that we could be of any use medically. Proving once and for all that map reading is probably best left to blokes, the girls managed to pull up at the beach a couple of hours post-kick-off. Fortunately word of these bloodcurdling bandits had reached the ‘organisation’ tent, so their play offs were delayed until last.
After a slightly embarrassing inability to work out the total cost of our team at registration, the day started to perk up. The ‘men’ were out first against the Unthank lads. Armed with only our team spirit and violet flowery head bands, we did battle, coming out with the first win in the rugby club’s history (10-5). After reminding hulk of the non-contact nature of tag rugby, and hence the lack of rationale to dump the opposition, we powered onto our next game. Our second match saw us up against a pink clad bunch with a somewhat unhealthy victorious intent. However, through a special relationship with the ref, and a skill apparently ungraspable by the opposition (playing by the rules…diving…!), we managed to land a somewhat dubious draw. It was after this wake up call, that we decided it was time to unleash our secret weapon: four foot and five inches of raw power: Greenhall jnr. This little machine had a warm up during the girl’s first game, in which some rather good rugby was played, all credit going to Miss. Fraser for her stunning first rugby performance. Similarly dazzling feats arose from our team physio and both the indistinguishable Miss. Greigs, although if we’re honest, the girls we bribed from other teams to play did seem to keep us in the game.
Although only 7 minutes, each game induced severe hypoxia in all, with the desire to be subbed off becoming greater every minute.
The third men’s match was our greatest hour, landing us our most substantial victory of the day, and really allowing us to make the most of the ‘bunker’ in our side of the pitch - when the opposition finally got through our lines, their offensive was rapidly subdued with at least one sprained ankle, and, to our delight, a dropped ball. Hoorah.
The girls managed to secure a victory in one of their matches, tries arising from the likes of Emma, Biggs, Claire & Mandy.
Basking in our glory, we decided to scurry off & pitch our tents before our next game. However, those merry men ‘organising’ the competition decided to call our next game 45 minutes earlier than timetabled, which considering they were running an hour behind the timetable was a feat of organisation, testament to the effect of alcohol on an already overstretched mind. On our return we realised that our hopes of victory at Southwold had been somewhat dashed, and so, with our tails between our legs, we began the arduous processes of drinking games, beach cricket and teaching Mr. Greenhall’s boy discourteous words and rhymes. Our poor spirits were aided by the sight of an attention-seeking young man, bearing all, running across the pitch where a ladies quarter final was in progress, only to be dump tackled by an apparently unamused player.
We stopped in Southwold to do justice to the local brew (or Pimms for those with tolerance issues), and to pester the chap in charge of the trampolines. However, with an under 16s only rule, we had to settle for enviously watching Jnr strutting his stuff. Repeatedly.
Restraining ourselves from heartily singing ‘the driver’s has a few too many’, we made our way back to the campsite to prepare for Kangaroo court and a Wild West theme night, to be greeted by rugby hymns like ‘My name is Jack (na na na na na na na)…’. With Hulk & Shipman presiding, Kangaroo Court saw the trails of Camp America, Gerwanablow et al for crimes including maternal instincts (Miss. Smith…), cutting members of your own team (Dave), Attempting to Disturb the Peace (Terrorism Act 2000 – Parkianathan) & sleeping with the enemy (Parr).
Our Wild West theme night proved to be a success with the ‘random method’ giving success to Miss. Riley and the tragic finding that female rugby players aren’t easy (Mr. Duffield – prior to Sam-Jenga once he had lost all consciousness).
The following morning we returned to Norwich, and en-route ensured that Master Greenhall was fluent in obscenities, and thus capable of conversing competently with any footballer should the sorry occasion ever arise.
So, our training paid off – Won 2, drew 1, forgot to turn up the other.
Friday, September 02, 2005
The New Season Dawneth
The new season is approaching, the first full season for our club. Next week we welcome the freshers to the medical school and hope to draw from them a boost in player numbers, both for the fifteen a side squad and the touch rugby sessions.
The Fixtures Boy is working on a programme for the season that should see the first XV play a minimum of 8 matches, three of which at least are part of the National Association of Medical Schools (NAMS) Rugby tournament. Towards the end of the season, there will also be two major sevens tournaments, the Medics Sevens and the Royal Society of Medicine tournament, as well as the UEA Sevens in May. As with last season, the culmination of the season will be the RFU Beach Rugby tournament at Southwold in Suffolk. A report from this year's tournament, where the Norwich Medics made quite an impact, should be available online shortly.
Coincidentally, Fixtures boy is also charged with arranging social activities, so we expect to hear from him shortly regarding his proposals for an introductory function to enable club members and freshers to meet and get to know each other.
I would urge all members to check this site regularly for updates and information which will appear over the course of the season.
I hope that this first season will be interesting, successful but above all enjoyable for all members, player and social alike.
El Presidente.
The Fixtures Boy is working on a programme for the season that should see the first XV play a minimum of 8 matches, three of which at least are part of the National Association of Medical Schools (NAMS) Rugby tournament. Towards the end of the season, there will also be two major sevens tournaments, the Medics Sevens and the Royal Society of Medicine tournament, as well as the UEA Sevens in May. As with last season, the culmination of the season will be the RFU Beach Rugby tournament at Southwold in Suffolk. A report from this year's tournament, where the Norwich Medics made quite an impact, should be available online shortly.
Coincidentally, Fixtures boy is also charged with arranging social activities, so we expect to hear from him shortly regarding his proposals for an introductory function to enable club members and freshers to meet and get to know each other.
I would urge all members to check this site regularly for updates and information which will appear over the course of the season.
I hope that this first season will be interesting, successful but above all enjoyable for all members, player and social alike.
El Presidente.
Tuesday, May 31, 2005
UEA Sevens Review
On paper, the Medics results from the tournament are pretty bad. We were comprehensively beaten in each match, but there is always more to the story and here we make our case.
The first match, against a team going under the name 'Duff Mivers', was a slaughter. General bewilderment, poor positioning, no sense of what to do with the ball when it arrived in our hands, and missing tackles, conspired to see us spend the entire match in our half, most notably in our own 22, but somehow despite it being the worst Medic's performance of the day, it was the defeat with the smallest margin.
Second up was the Village team, comprised largely of UEA players and one of our own committee members who shamelessly refused the passionate red of the Medic's Sevens kit in favour of the grey of his team last year. Gifted several free kicks on the half way line as a result of the Village kicker repeatedly failing to clear ten metres at the kick off, the Medics were finally able to play rugby in the opposition half and string together sufficient phases for attacks to build up. Some vastly improved rugby was played, but our undoing was in our inability to retain the ball in contact and a lack of set-piece proficiency, meaning that the Village could easily recover the ball and ship it out to their fast backs who ran in the tries.
Our final game was against another team comprised of UEA players, this time the Prader-Willi's. Again there was a step-up from the Medics, but unfortunately the PWs also had one or two quick backs and from the same mistakes, the tries came. The highlight of the day had to be in the closing stages of this match when Ben 'Skippy' Clayton scored a well taken try under the posts and slotted the conversion with a neat drop kick.
This tournament was the first competitive match for some in the squad, and others had not played for some time. The squad gelled very well and everyone had some game time. We had a great day out and all left thirsting for more. There is of course much work to be done, both in terms of fifteens and sevens, but there is now definitely the nucleus of a committed team. The level of the improvement from match to match on Saturday was quite something, and unfortunately not reflected in the results, but the fact that we kept our heads up and kept working at it is a positive.
Everyone enjoyed it and we as a squad are looking forward to the next opportunity to play together, and the training between then and now which will hopefully help us to make the scores look a little different next time we run out.
Well played to all the Medics squad and especially to Skippy for making sure our account was opened....
The first match, against a team going under the name 'Duff Mivers', was a slaughter. General bewilderment, poor positioning, no sense of what to do with the ball when it arrived in our hands, and missing tackles, conspired to see us spend the entire match in our half, most notably in our own 22, but somehow despite it being the worst Medic's performance of the day, it was the defeat with the smallest margin.
Second up was the Village team, comprised largely of UEA players and one of our own committee members who shamelessly refused the passionate red of the Medic's Sevens kit in favour of the grey of his team last year. Gifted several free kicks on the half way line as a result of the Village kicker repeatedly failing to clear ten metres at the kick off, the Medics were finally able to play rugby in the opposition half and string together sufficient phases for attacks to build up. Some vastly improved rugby was played, but our undoing was in our inability to retain the ball in contact and a lack of set-piece proficiency, meaning that the Village could easily recover the ball and ship it out to their fast backs who ran in the tries.
Our final game was against another team comprised of UEA players, this time the Prader-Willi's. Again there was a step-up from the Medics, but unfortunately the PWs also had one or two quick backs and from the same mistakes, the tries came. The highlight of the day had to be in the closing stages of this match when Ben 'Skippy' Clayton scored a well taken try under the posts and slotted the conversion with a neat drop kick.
This tournament was the first competitive match for some in the squad, and others had not played for some time. The squad gelled very well and everyone had some game time. We had a great day out and all left thirsting for more. There is of course much work to be done, both in terms of fifteens and sevens, but there is now definitely the nucleus of a committed team. The level of the improvement from match to match on Saturday was quite something, and unfortunately not reflected in the results, but the fact that we kept our heads up and kept working at it is a positive.
Everyone enjoyed it and we as a squad are looking forward to the next opportunity to play together, and the training between then and now which will hopefully help us to make the scores look a little different next time we run out.
Well played to all the Medics squad and especially to Skippy for making sure our account was opened....
Tuesday, May 24, 2005
BEACH RUGBY
The Norwich Medics will be entering a team for the Eastern Counties Rugby Union Beach Rugby tournament on Southwold beach, the weekend of 29, 30, 31 July 2005.
The cost is £17 per head, this includes camping, transport from the campsite to the beach, and entertainment. Saturday night is a wild-west theme night, there will be barbecues etc.
For more info, contact the committee or click here:
The cost is £17 per head, this includes camping, transport from the campsite to the beach, and entertainment. Saturday night is a wild-west theme night, there will be barbecues etc.
For more info, contact the committee or click here:
NMSRFC enter the UEA Sevens competition
Saturday 28 May sees the Norwich Medics rugby team entering their first tournament since the club was founded, the UEA RFC annual Sevens tournament.
Training is as usual on Tuesday evening, with an additional contact session planned for Wednesday at Colney Lane, time to be arranged.
Those interested in playing, please contact the committee and attend the session on Tuesday evening. Shirts will be provided by the club, you will require a gum shield, shorts, socks and studded boots of your own.
Check back for more news........
Training is as usual on Tuesday evening, with an additional contact session planned for Wednesday at Colney Lane, time to be arranged.
Those interested in playing, please contact the committee and attend the session on Tuesday evening. Shirts will be provided by the club, you will require a gum shield, shorts, socks and studded boots of your own.
Check back for more news........
Friday, May 13, 2005
Welcome to the news section for Norwich Medics
You may have found this blog by accident, or you may have accessed it directly from http://www.nmsrfc.org.uk, either way welcome to our news pages where we will aim to keep you updated with events and news from the club.....
There has been great demand for this rugby club from students at the Univeristy of East Anglia School of Medicine and finally, due to the efforts of the committee, it is taking off.
Please check back regularly for updates and info, and also check http://www.nmsrfc.org.uk
There has been great demand for this rugby club from students at the Univeristy of East Anglia School of Medicine and finally, due to the efforts of the committee, it is taking off.
Please check back regularly for updates and info, and also check http://www.nmsrfc.org.uk
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