Not the Festive Christmas cracker of a game we were all hoping for but at least the result finished deep and crisp and even.
The Chairman’s XV, directed by Ebeneezer Stokes, was drawn mainly from the Development XV and so contained a fair sprinkling of Prince Charmings whereas the Club Captain’s side, guided by Rudolf the red-nosed Macey, was mainly made up of Ugly Sisters and wicked stepmothers.
With much pride at stake, the two sides tore into each other with all the vigour of shoppers at a Woolworth’s closing down sale.
After just 6 minutes, Craig Addy sent two of Santa’s reindeer on the attack. Prancer (Josh Bayliss) and Dancer (Matt Wood) pranced and danced their way through the vets’ defence for Bayliss to score near the left corner flag.
The conversion was no problem for Wood whose kick arced over the posts like the star over Bethlehem.
Martin Ottey’s penalty attempt 9 minutes later caused the sizeable crowd to mutter “Donner and Blitzen” as he missed to the left.
It looked all over for Macey’s men when Wood kicked an easy penalty 3 minutes into the second half to get the lords-a-leaping at 10-0.
However, just 6 minutes later following pressure in the Chairman’s end zone (!), Pete Reynolds forced his way in like the Ghost of Christmas Past. Matt Cummins kicked the conversion and it was a 3 point game.
Each side had two kicks at goal in the last 20 minutes. Wood scuttled one and then was just wide with his second. Sandwiched inbetween were two attempts by Cummins and he was successful with the second to level the scores.
The role of Pantomime villain was played by Dame Darren Brindley whose continual moaning at referee Ian Finch prompted the crowd to hiss and boo in traditional style.
With the temperature falling, mercifully referee Finch called a halt 5 minutes early and players and spectators retired to the clubhouse for a night which was far from silent.