The Battle of Toc: Part 1 of 4

On a day sculpted for the gentleman’s game – blue skies, soft ground and a brisk wind to cool the brow as it perspires under the pressure of battle – it felt as though the foundations for a classic were set, for the unassuming Old Bedians ground was to play host to their bitter rivals: Didsbury Toc H, a club steeped not only in rugby talent, but a deep history which enriches the league in which they play.

The anticipation for a strong Bede’s performance against the first of four meetings this season with the local rivals was palpable. Bede’s fielded their strongest side this season, with a long awaited 2nd XV return of Full Back Jack Johnson, an exciting new centre pairing of Anthony Dell and James Tupp and Leo Carroll shoring up the pack.

Led out by the steadfast Captain Cook and buoyant from their emphatic win last week, Bedians received kick off and immediately imposed themselves upon the match.

Keeping the ball tight the forwards found valuable early territory, gaining the upper hand and providing the backs with good ball to test their opposite numbers.

With the territorial Bedians deep in their opponents half, their well worked rush defence caused an error from the usually composed opposition and led to the first try. A wayward pass was pounced upon by David Denton whose neat football skills hacked the ball behind the oppositions defence – a race for the line was on! As the oval shaped ball twisted and turned tantalisingly close to the grasp of the Winger’s hands, the chasing pack were able to haul him to the floor before the line. Thankfully the ever present James Tupp was on hand to pick up the pieces, who cleverly tapped the low pop pass from Denton over the line with his boot and quickly incubated the egg to pick up his debut try for Bedes. Swede adds the two points - game on!

However a team of the opposition’s calibre cannot be quietened easily and some solid play produced a try, levelling the match.

With Bede’s deep in enemy territory again, the seconds try was only a matter of time. After a number of solid phases, the ball was shipped out to James Tupp who spotted the flat defensive line of the opposition - presumably a tactic to stifle the running rugby which had flowing through the Bede’s team. The resulting space behind the defence was exploited with a delicately placed grubber kick to the far corner. A touch of déjà vu is upon us as Denton once again rushes behind the defence to pounce on the loose ball. A skilled left footed touch helps the ball over the line and another try ensues to put Bede’s ahead at half time.

As the second half got under way, Bede’s went through their worst spell of the match, conceding two soft tries as a refreshed Toc H gained in confidence. However the heart and commitment of the Old Bedians Rugby Club shone through as they re-set themselves and pulled off the move of the match – a move which started with the forwards, drawing the opposition’s numbers in, sucking the defenders in like an unstoppable blackhole sweeping across the pitch; and finished with a slick demonstration from the backs as the ball glided from one side of the pitch to the other, finally ending up in Denton’s hands. However space was now at a premium. Cutting back inside, Denton navigated the swarm of Toc H defenders, desperately trying to rescue some kind of organisation, to find James Hennigan who coolly secured Bede’s third try and set up a nail biting last quarter. Swede adds the two points.

Even the heart and spirit of the Bedians 2nd XV could not compensate for the inexperience we showed in the closing quarter. Guilty of silly errors and unnecessary penalties, the opposite number 10 put in a strong performance with the boot scoring 6 penalty points in the last 15 minutes, putting the game just beyond the reach of the young team.

The final score ended 19 – 25. But this was not a performance to be disheartened with – this was a performance which has set the foundations; the foundations on which Old Bedians can construct a faster, stronger, hungrier and more passionate team than ever before; for we may have lost the battle, but the Toc H war is far from over!