The afternoon started with a highly motivational speech in the dressing room from Skippy Si Layton (pictured below). Even stalwarts like Gary Paul, in his 50th season for Oldfield were brought to the edge of tears.

This made the lacklustre start to the game all the more suprising and after 10 minutes Oldfield found themselves 14-0 down. Some semblence of order was restored when the dominant Oldfield scrum gave Farmer Patrick the platform to pick and go, his feed to Birdy was then rounded off as youngster Bunti came back on the angle and skated in under the posts - a try of breathtaking beauty.

The Oldfield side was a real mix and match with Grimsby born Milly strutting his stuff at Fortress Shaft Road for the first time in ages. His claim to being Welsh lies in the fact that 'I married a Welsh bird didn't I' Yes, well done Milly you did, but let's face it, you were still born in Grimsby!!! Alongside him in the centre was Skippy whose hair resembled iron filings on a magnet - something that the flying Forest Gump on the wing was also keen to emulate.

In the pack the decrepid Gary Paul was a rock of granite and even Murph managed to get his kit on and make the pitch. Perhaps more surprising was the fact that Murhp actually hit his lineout jumpers and when you bear in mind one of them was the aged Jerry Burns you'll realise that this was something of a shock to all concerned. Adie Wynes finally proved that he is more than just a bouncer, as he made some telling contributions, though quite how a 17 year old, 6 stone weed managed to turn him in a tackle, is one for the Physics Department.

Andy Harrison was outstanding throughout and a hard fought game ebbed and flowed as the sides exchanged points. Tries from grisly Jack Burns on the wing and Andy Taylor, who was carried over the line in an armchair by Milly, brought Oldfield back into the game. This was topped off when Rocky Burns tripped at a line out and flopped unopposed on to the ball, after his oppo had slapped back a loose tap at the lineout. In the dressing room afterwards Burns was waxing lyrical about how he soared in front of their jumper, gathered the ball and sprinted in from 40 yards - nice one Jezzer!! With just 5 minutes to go Oldfield had edged in front 25-24 and then in the last play of the game one of the Downs young threes was intercepted by the ever youthful Barry Quintin who belied his years and scored under the posts. His watching son Chris could only applaud - you know when you've got it you never lose it, unless of course you never had it, or whatever. 

This was the Vets first game of the season and to beat Combe Down 2nds was a great result, especially when our aged warhorses were up against a youthful side, who were in large part Bath University students - back to the books lads, if you were any good, you'd be playing at Oldfield!!! 

Tries: Andy Taylor, Jack Burns, Jerry Burns, Pat Bunton & Barry Quintin

Conversions: Pat Bunton (2)

Penalties: Pat Bunton