POWERFUL

TUPTON 93 CLEETHORPES 0

COUNTIES 3 MIDLANDS EAST [NORTH] AT NORTH SIDE

18 FEBRUARY 2024 --- 2.15PM

TUPTON V CLEETHORPES AT NORTH SIDE

[Score update was made on England Rugby site from 91-0 to 93-0 which was the the final score the blog calculated but went with the official declared 91-0 as explained in the blog, this has now been changed so the blog has been updated]

A totally dominant performance from Tupton with a points total to match saw them keep up the pressure on the top two in the table on a damp North Side pitch that thanks to the efforts of the club and its volunteers allowed this game to go ahead.

Yes after another week of rain and more rain the local sports fields were once again at the top of their water levels and with games called off on grass at the level of football the blog watches it was 3g again or a chance to revisit Tupton Rugby Union Football Club.  As Bob Curry told me at half time I'm only down here when the weather is bad and of course he his right, promise to make some nice weather rugby Bob, if there is any before the end of the season of course.

The short walk to the game is always a blessing no frustrating travel and a quick return at the end making it a delight I clearly should do more often.  Todays visitors are towards the wrong end of the table but have long journeys most weekends non more so than around an hour and a half today so you have applaud their fortitude.  Tupton meanwhile are having a wonderful season having just recently completed the double over neighbours Chesterfield Panthers.  Indeed the last time down at North Side was for the home fixture versus the Panthers in late October.

It was all very wet pitch side as well as the playing area but if you are not making use of the excellent clubhouse and viewing platform then you will probably know where to stand to avoid the worse of the underfoot conditions.

Since the last visit the horrendously wet winter forced the cancellation of the clubs fireworks night event which has happened for the last two season a major disappointment because like many things this club does they base their beliefs within the community they play in which make them a credit to Tupton.

During the game it was good to acknowledge two former junior school colleagues and get a lovely picture of my former teacher Roger Kench who was off to referee the seconds game on the adjacent pitch.  Of course you never forget teachers at school do you?  During the visit to the far side of the pitch it was also great to catch up with football mates and Nigel a regular down at the club.

It was around this time that I managed a chat with Mr Curry jacketed and with a beverage in hand, I don't think it was a coffee, always a pleasure and the Bristolian is always welcoming to visitors, shaking hands at the end with the match referee and Cleethropes captain but its what Rugby is all about.

Today also saw the club hosting the Old Tuptonian Tipple Club run by the vice president it did of course offer a selection of alcoholic beverages, I know its a surprise a rugby club and alcohol.  

So to the game and I'm not making a mess of describing all these point needless to say the visitors after the opening three minutes soon fell under the Tupton grasp with the first try and conversion coming as early as the fourth minute.  After this it was a steady stream of Tupton crossing the line and by half time they lead 47-0

The second half saw the onslaught continue with pace and breakaways to the forefront of the try's allowing many to be touched down behind the posts.  Added to this the sheer strength and powerful determination hopefully captured in the pictures allowed these to arrive.

By full time Tupton had notched up 91 points without reply, I even had it as 93 but must have given them a bonus conversion ha,ha.  [Update, the England Rugby site has now changed the final score to 93-0 so the blog has been amended].

Totalling out at fifteen try's and nine conversions from Sammy Cooper bringing the total to 93-0 as issued to the England Rugby website.

Lets take a minute to thank Cleethorpes a long journey to play a club clearly in form but they gave their all and were as ever in this game gracious in defeat, I hope somebody got them a drink afterwards.  But the spirit they showed is what this game is all about.  As one of their players commented as they lined up behind the posts in the first half waiting another Cooper conversion attempt 'were seeing this through were are not going anywhere'.

With the short walk back to base this had been an enjoyable afternoon, again, spent around this superb community club.

Time for me to shut up now and hopefully you can enjoy the further pictures from the game.