Pack of Girls - first team training

As I pulled up to the Old Boys Rugby Football Club on Friday night to meet President Mike Lee, the memories quickly came flooding back.  

The stomp of rugby boots on the gravel as the boys ran towards the impending 80 minute war ...
The clink of beer bottles being loaded up behind the bar ...
The smell of linament smacking you in the face as you walk through the door ...
The laughter of kids as the excitement of the game builds ... 

Bliss .....

I unload my rugby gear into the club and go on a quick tour with Mike.  

This is my first time into the showers and changing rooms despite spending years at this club - these places were always so sacred ... or so I thought ... as soon as I saw the showers my elusions of sacredness were quickly diminished.  

Mike quickly finished his beer to depart before the 'thespians' arrived.

Cue actors.

Cue 'Head Coach' who heads straight to the kit bag to check out the jerseys - we must've passed the test because with a brief grunt and nod the gear was left to the actors and Head Coach 'PooLoss' was off to get the linament.

As the actors slowly and trepidly get changed the sun sets and mist starts rolling in.  The flood lights get flicked on and then it's time to enter 'the zone'.

As each actor runs past me with a disgruntled look shooting my way I wonder if they are starting to regret their decision to audition.

But any initial fears of mine are quickly put to the side as screams of laughter erupt from the field as PooLoss puts the cast through the paces.  

After an hour of grunting, grinding and mud fights it's time to head back to the showers.

Quick change and bite to eat and its time to hit the stage ...