For the first time since 1993 a senior Grimsby squad went on the tradional rugby tour at Easter. With two fixtures to play, against Percy Park on Good Friday and Scarborough on Saturday, the squad knew that judicious drinking, a high dietry awareness and plenty of rest would secure comfortable victories in both games.
A tight knit squad of 20 set off from Springfield Road, dressed in the days theme of "Tennis Couture", and with dogged determination managed to dispense of 6 crates before arrival in North Shields. Percy Park is a very impressive location, with great facilities and a good bunch of players who joined in the spirit of the weekend well. The game was played in a mostly friendly manner, with the home side boasting some skillfull players, especially the ex-England U19's fly half. Percy Park managed to score more points than the Grimsby tourists, but a moral victory was assured as Scott "Stephi Gash" Barker scored under the posts. The final score was somewhere in the region of 38-7, not a bad showing in all consideration.
As the group checked into the hotel for the nights entertainment in Whitley Bay, one could sense a cracking weekend was unfurling. The night passed without any unseemly antics, but with all the party having a right good knees up in the Hairy Lemon.
Saturday started well, with a tasty breakfast, but soon went downhill! Our hosts for the day, Scarborough, currently languishing in the depths of Yorkshire 2 and looking almost certain to be Yorkshire 3 next year, were putting their 1st XV out, and touting the game as a full fixture against a Midlands 3 side.
As any sensible rugby players knows,
a) touring parties are never a1st XV fixture
b) 2nd day on tour is the start of the end!!
Unfortunately the home side had decided that they needed a morale boost, at any cost.
With the tourists suffering from a combination of injuries, alcohol poisoning and general intoxication, it was no surprise when the team was steamrollered 73-0 . The only shock was that they couldn't manage to score over 100!
The night passed amiably with the many watering holes of Scabborough being visited and sampled, until Zebedee said "Time for Bed". Unfortunately this meant the end of the tours association with the Scarborough president, who worked in a food processing industry, and seemed keen to gather recruits for fudge packing!
Sunday saw a gradual return to home base, and a date with the Hanging Judge himself, Justice John Pickles. Many suitable punishments were handed out and then the tour was concluded.
A great weekend, with the full group contributing to some memorable events. Special thanks must be given to both "Party Boy" Bristow and "Trampoline" Saunders for being the exceptional tourists!