Chapter 3

We got to the comprehensive school, St Anne’s, and we were met by their games master, who introduced himself as Derek Bevan. He led us into our changing room and showed us where everything was. We had a good two hours before the game, so I got the lads out onto the pitch and got them warming up. We started with stretches and a warmup run.

Their heads seemed to have dropped during the drive over to St Anne’s. I tried to rekindle the excitement in them. Tried to build up some spirit. I knew that if you are off to play a team that always beats you, why would you be upbeat? It was my job to get them up for the game with a positive mental attitude.

The lads from the other team were warming up; they had some big units in their team, and they all looked handy with the rugby ball. I exchanged a few words with their coaches; they seemed to have three or four. They seemed nice enough and eager to chat, but I used to get that a lot, having been a pro player.

The referee came over and had a chat with me and the lads. He was a teacher from another local school, and he seemed clued up. He was eager to see that the game was played well and fairly. He seemed to know all of the St Anne’s coaches on a first-name basis, which was worrying.

A couple of the younger lads were sorting out the subs bench, filling the water bottles and stuff like that under the watchful eye of Jo Page; she was there sorting out her first aid and medical stuff.

Then I got the lads hitting the tackle bags before I split them into backs and forwards to do specialised training. With twenty minutes to go, I called the guys into the dressing room, and I did my coach’s speech to them.

I told them to stick to the game plan, to look out for one another, to keep the ball alive, and to enjoy the game.

Then I left Barnes to do his captain’s speech, and I went outside with Jo Page. She had all her stuff sorted. I looked around and saw that the far side of the pitch was ringed by a large group of kids from our school, plus many of the teachers, including Brian Carothers, Mr Bones, Mr Chips, and Natalie Norbury, as well as a few I had yet to meet.

Even Professor McClusky and Miss Green were there to watch. There was also a guy who looked just like McClusky but ten years younger. I guessed he was the brother I had heard so much about. He was engaged in a deep conversation with our headmaster.

The lads came out of the dressing rooms and got into position. The opposition came out and they looked well up for it. The referee tossed a coin, and we lost; they would kick off to us.