WITHOUT PREJUDICE

All the water troughs were drunk dry at Kings Park on May 27, as the Valley RFC Knackered Nags trotted undefeated through the Veterans Tens.

Things could have transpired very differently, and were not looking good for the Nags ten minutes out from kickoff…. The Seven Nags resplendent in their mixed silks - which Brad had taken the time to collect - were a worried herd… would it be another understrength Nags team to take on Hong Kong’s most experienced? Was Boozers move to a Stud Farm in the Waikato something we would regret - though it had put a big grin on Boozers face…. Would Clarkey show up before the final game… would he show up at all?

Talk of of an under strength team & the whereabouts of the Pui O Gelding stopped abruptly …. out of the left field cantered a new (long) face… “Donde esta los Knackeered Nags?” Raul the Andalusian Stallion had arrived…

First up were a Kowloon Ten, who to be fair looked more Knackered than the Nags - from the Kickoff there was only the Nags in the game - ably lead by Brooksey back from pasture in the New Forrest, and with Shetland Ponies Koji & TC leading from the front the Kowloon Ten were en route to the Glue Factory… I think five tries to none conceded was the final score favouring the Nags.

Next up was Sandy Bay - the Steeplechase proving too much for the team from Pokfulam - Lukas, Felix & Raul running through the opposition at will to put points on the board - whilst the steely defence of Gary & Brad kept the Nags points conceded at zero.

These last few furlongs had the Nags blowing a bit. So the sight of Trey Deavers Valley Chairman, a Shire Horse with a big thirst from the Deep South, at the top of Kings Park Hill was welcomed.

As the Nags had gone undefeated through these early rounds, it had not gone unnoticed that a troupe of thirty show ponies from the Hong Kong Football Club - well known artificial inseminators - were also on the scene… watered, towelled down & nose bagged after each each game by their team of trainers, groomers & handlers (sic) they too had emerged undefeated through the early rounds..

Before any game with the Artificial Inseminators could be entertained an appointment with the Hong Kong Police awaited. Finely tuned from chasing ninety year old Cardinals & candle waving children around the streets of Hong Kong this would be no easy task for the Nags - and so it proved, a tough game with the Nags emerging 7 - 5 victors… and losing Brad in the process, to an old school stamp to the head… a side bet did follow on how many stitches he would receive..

So to the ultimate winner take all, losers take nothing finale between the Valley RFC Knackered Nags & the HKFC falling sperm count artificial inseminators (and support crew)…both undefeated up until that point.. an encounter that was all done & dusted in the first three plays - three Nags kickoffs which were regained and resulted in three quick tries for the Nags… from then on, despite at least one 10 player rotation the HKFC were playing catch up … unsuccessfully… though they did manage a consolation try..

A great evening for the Nags - which got better has we retired to the water trough for some well deserved rehydration… to be joined by the refs & organising officials - Many thanks to all who took part - particularly Brooksie for the thankless task of organising, Brad for sorting the kit, Cloughy for organising the event - and his big contribution to the Nags on the field, the refs n officials plus anyone forgotten - with the Nags sometimes things are forgotten but no one gets left behind (for obvious reasons)..

William Shakesbeer.