The London Skolars Vikingly Inspired session of #TheBlackRednGreen U12s/13s in N22

 

The weather remained arctically chilled, the Perth road pitches were ideal for a session of inspirational Rugby League discovery.

The training area prepped and meticulously coned. The players arrived en masse and on time and THEY unleashed their skills to light up N22.

Each station was approached with the same great attitude, effort and listening. There is no “I” in Skolars Rugby League just “Team”. Each one of the youngsters giving it their all and best effort in temperatures that were dropping quicker than a Viking catching a ball!!

The winds picked up, the wind chill cooled the breeze, the session was picking up pace and with some fantastic hands in traffic would see the guys through the next phase of the morning.

These pre-season sessions can always prove tricky with numbers and improvement of skills. There is nothing disappointing here, no negatives all Nordically positive and the post session smiles say it all. Even after the final two minute run throughs the smiles and enjoyment continued to grow.

With the final effort complete, the team warm down and huddle produced the biggest smiles of the morning before departing for home

These children haven’t come down to the Home of Rugby League in N22 for nothing, they have come to give it their all, listening, learning and being inspired by all of their newly found friends and team mates.

This is Rugby League . . . This is London Skolars . . . #BlackRednGreen!!

The Inspirational Return to N22 in the form of the All Tanning Viking @LondonSkolarsRL

It must have been one of those days. For our journey was fraught with DANGER!!! Before we even traversed the wonder that is the A406 some fool in a people carrier would carve us up within a foot of the front wing. Not to be outdone though, we would eventually join the movement of vehicular flow as we began our journey proper unto the once fabled Lush land of N22.

Once more the outside lane resembled a parking lot as the driver of a Monster Range Rover decided to keep his throttle at 40mph, whilst just as we joined the outside, the Mother in another people carrier decided just to pull right in front of us nearly removing the front bumper. Not to be outdone again though the mug in the BMW zigzagging and chopping and changing lanes would soon be carved up by another driver himself, Karma’s a Bitch, but nevertheless enjoyable to watch!!

All of this before we hit the Edmonton underpass and all this at only at 9.20am!! Staggering!!

What a Journey of Discovery this was likely to become. We finally entered the realm of Black Red n Green back where we, the Viking and Son, belong. The pitch looking evergreen, the foxholes now fully filled. However, there was a darkness sweeping the land and that darkness was of Saturday morning football. A darkness we would see grow throughout our short but greatly enjoyable session.

Giselle, “The Punto”, now parked up, the boots laced, the conage laid out as only the Sensation of the Viking Nation would. A small but visually noticeable area nowhere near any roundballs, but this would come at a price during this session of patience and well being.

Although small in number we would begin with some simple pass n catch, simple for the player, not so simple for me!! This would lead into a nice kick n catch tester, the High bomb against the grubber, knees up, body turn and hands reaching for the stars!! Oh how great that looks when executed so well.

The time wore on and as luck would have it all of the equipment would be together but appeared to be a magnet for random football parents as their stop off point to have a look in wonderment as to what the oval shaped balls were used for. Not only that but it is now commonplace to wander through a coned off area with the ignorance, not to offend the four legged beast, of Herefordshire Blue just going about their feeding upon the grassy knoll.

Time and again parents and children would wander through ignorant of what was going on around them to the point where one family’s daughter began to delve into the coaching bag. Shock, horror, I asked the young lady to leave the bag alone as it did not belong to her to which the accompanying adults asked me, What did you say to my daughter?? Your daughter shouldn’t be going down other peoples belongings to which they got agitated. Is it me or do people think they have a right to go through somebody else’s belongings!!

This event did not detract from the enjoyment the session was having. Even though wave after wave of ignorant football parent would continue to stroll through where we practising our drop kicks from outside the 22 yard line, to the left and the right and then wrap up with some fine goal kicking, but hey, it’s only Rugby, the GREATEST GAME IN THE WORLD!!!!

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I feel sorry for the young lads having to play to that baying crowd. All I could hear were the Coaches screaming at the U8s/9s. The parents dribbling their usual tripe and to top it all just before we departed after some great play the balls one of the coaches was incapable of walking around the bag and had to jump over it!!!Peanut!!!

In one 30 minute time continuum I saw why our National game is in the toilet. Football is a disease and does not bring about the best in people, whether at U8s level or Professional. Let’s kick it into touch!!

This is why I love our game. Whether League or Union I would never allow my players or parents to behave in this manner. Our games are the Ultimate family sports in this country and I cannot wait for the up and coming matchups that will show all players displaying the ultimate respect for their team mates and opponents. Having just watched Cook Islands against Tonga and then England vs. New Zealand on November 7^th the Rugby will just keep on getting better and better!!

Many thanks for your time, your patience and your viewing for these are the words of a pent up Inspirational Sensation on a mission to build the Brand of Rugby into THE National Game.

Enjoy the Sport!!

London Origin – The Pride of the Viking and his “Northern” Horde at the Stead of Hemp

This was it, the final time that the Blues of the “Northern” Horde would join up as one impenetrable unit of Rugby league force looking to go out with a bang and go out having enjoyed a tremendous experience and series.

The journeys may not have been pretty, the weather has been kind, sometimes too kind, the attitude has never been better and the pride from the Coach was there for all to see.

This was always going to be a tough Battle to prepare the Mind, Body and Soul since we had wrapped up an U13s series win. The lads all arrived looking, wanting to play the Greatest game. The warm up was as intense as previous sessions. Having seen the warm up acts previously on Super League Thursday and Friday now was our time to shine.

The effort on the warm up was bang on. Every player listening and unleashing. The hands crisper than a McVities Rich-tea, the footwork smoother than a Twix covering. The tackling . . . more powerful than a Dyson upright and the defensive line a wall of Daz Blue n White.

This series of Origin Rugby league has been a fantastic experience for all of the players and the Coaches, the mood pre-game was extremely relaxed and played into our opponents hands from the off. Some errors would lead to the Blues having to do some dogged goal line defence. In the first five minutes we defended 18 tackles and finally we were broken though.

This worked only to pump the team up and with some powerful running from our pack this would lay the platform for our backs to spread the ball and would score the equalising try. GAME ON!!!

The South were matching us tackle for tackle, set for set. Eventually though we would unleash another successful attack and go in for game leading score. As the halftime hooter blew some of the boys were gassed but the enthusiasm was still in the huddle. Knowing they could perform better we had just played our worst 25 minutes but were still in control of our own “Northern” destiny.

As the team prepared for the second half a few nerves began to appear, but these were soon blown away by some fantastic attacking rugby. Quick ball from the forwards again released our backs and again we were in under the sticks.

However, this would play into our opponent’s hands who suddenly found their A-game. We took our foot off the throttle and gave away some cheap penalties which would see us pay the ultimate price and a comeback score.

This game was still ours to lose and as we pressed forward another error led to our ultimate downfall and for the first time in the series we found ourselves behind. This would galvanise the team and as we looked for the comeback score another penalty would seal out fate.

The minutes ticked down, the final whistle blew, the match was lost but we could hold our heads high as we had won the series 2-1.

This is a very special group of lads. They played the game to the maximum of their ability; they played just as their Head Coach envisaged. They planted THE biggest hits in the entire series and scored some of the best tries. I tip my hat to a “TEAM” of U13s who came together in the last five weeks, and when the chips were down, came out fighting for their team mates.

For they will come again and again. For they are extremely respectable young men who listened all the way through, enjoyed their Origin experience and are already looking forward to coming up against me in the 2016 season.

Therefore on that note all it leaves me to say is thank you one and all for the experience and for the parental support and kind words and feedback.

A thank you must go out to Alex and Damon who backed up this afternoon and played exactly how I wanted them to and to Patrick and Charlie who came down to support their team mates whilst injured and to Cameron, Dylan and Dan who all played their part and of course not forgetting Isaak, Elliott, Harry, Owen, Liam, Euan, Thomas W, Tom L, Jacob, Rory, Thomas D, Matthew, Alex, Toby and Tommy F  who all played their part in our Vikingly toptastic series win!!

GET IN THERE THE “NORTHERN” HORDE U13S – 2015 Series winners, until next time always remember NOBODY DOES IT BETTER than the Viking and the Blues of the “Northern Horde”

http://tinyurl.com/pp6agzd

London Origin – A Chalice of Destiny awaits the U13s “Northern” Horde

The expectancy was rewarded; the Blues of the “Northern” Horde would arrive, the training session delayed due to unforeseen circumstances beyond Nordic control. However, we would inspire, we would lead and we would unleash a Rugby League timebomb of suntanning proportions on the Green fields of Brentwood for Training Day 2.

The Tetlow and Quill roadshow rocked up to CM15 looking to improve on the previous week’s victory and how to keep this group of talent on their uppers. This would be no mean feat, but with a little coaching belief and a soupson of Scandinavian faith we would take the boys on the next part of their journey of League discovery.

For the evening before there was possibly one of the biggest Rugby match-ups of the season having been played out, yep, you’ve guessed it St Helens and Wigan, the ultimate Rugby derby!!

The Viking always takes inspiration from his beloved Redvee and would leave nothing to chance. The session would be delivered under a clear blue sky and lush green fields. The lads were dazzled by the light but were prepared to lay down for their pals and give it their all and in the meantime left no stone unturned in their search for Origin glory.

Our minds and focus would now turn to the day in hand. Another journey down south to test the very fabric of one and alls being. Questions would need to be answered,

How would the boys react to another long journey?

How would the late kick off affect their preparation?

Could the Viking lead his troops to unabated and victorious glory?? For we would see over the coming 50 minutes of heart wrenching, heart pacing, nervous tension laced Rugby.

The warm up may have been a little early, but the pre-game huddle would prepare the mind, the body and the “Northern” soul. For these lads are no ordinary lads, they are prepared to back their pals in any given situation no matter what it takes. The team was prepped and ready to roar. The pitch set. The first whistle would blow, it was GAMETIME!!!!

The boys exploded out of the blocks on a mission to destroy all that would attempt to deny them their glories. A great start would see us complete the first set and unleash the pressure of mass onto the oncoming attackers. Each runner was met with a huge boom back, time and again, boom!! We had them and were turning them around. The lads were playing rugby as the Viking and Tetlow had intended, power plays and subtlety of hands. The teamwork in support was of enormous proportions as we began to take control. The spirit within the team was everywhere, the subs bench, the stand and in the mind of the Coach watching, anticipating, salivating at the prospect of the first score and it wouldn’t take long as we began to press home our advantage. The forward power was immense; the backs distribution was crisp and the try all the better.

The boys have been setting improving standards week in and week out and this was another step up. By the time we had two scores on the board the South could barely draw breath. Camped inside our 10m line they thought this would be their golden opportunity. I think not, for these boys would defend with their last breath and did they did together. Twelve tackles on our goal line, no way through, “Northern” Horde bodies throwing themselves in to stop the attack, wave after wave would see us gain the ball back to the roar of the watching crowd and the bench. After some changes the team played an even more expansive game and really began to look the business.

The South couldn’t catch a break as we unleashed wave after wave of attack making positive yardage at will. As the half time hooter blew the boys sprinted into the huddle. The game was not won yet, the mood in the huddle was as expected, and the boys led the chorus of how to improve for the second half.

This is why the Greatest game is always a game of two halves. With the sun beating a path to our door and the bodies gasping we couldn’t make inroads and allowed the home side to gain the upper hand as they made metres forward. The tackles being made were non-stop body-sapping and our boys play with such passion that the adrenaline was beginning to run out. Some more great defence kept the South out once again but they managed to pierce a gap. Once more we would unleash but just couldn’t close out the piece and once again the home team pulled another back. The final minutes of an enthralling Origin matchup were now upon us!!

The heart was pounding, the final talk was dealt, how would it play out? The Viking strode to the halfway line and about turned to see the team had made their decision and the right one. For the kickoff was a grubber the forward pounced and we had the ball. Or did we??

Scrum down to the South; this was it for the Blues of the “Northern” Horde. The last stand was here. The play the ball, the pass, the defensive line speed unleashed all of the might and rugby nous to cancel out the potential threat. The final whistle blew, the smiles covered the pitch, the roar heard around Historic Medway for we had come, we had seen and we were victorious!!

This is a special group of young men, they play a game I love to the max with pure enjoyment running through every sinew of their makeup, and they want to be part of this great experience. They are respectful and polite and show me the perfect attitude in which to play this the Greatest game.

Until next time my beloved readers, viewers and inspirees I give you my boys of the “Northern” Horde!!

I will leave you with a taste of the mood in the camp post game as it left me feeling . . .

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These lads have taken me, as their Coach, to a new plateau of coaching enjoyment and experience. I am proud to be part of their Origin journey and their Head Coach and they are truly a credit to you as parents for they have taken the tools we have given to them and are setting incredible standards of Viking Proportions of Scandinavian Sensationalism and I for one and truly humbled by it.

Yours in the Greatest form of the Oval ball as presented by the Boys from the Blues of the “Northern Horde!!!

London Origin – A Rugby League Destiny for the Boys from the “North” #SouthernHeartlandRL

Viking history in the making. As a Coach you always look to have an opportunity to work with the best and thanks to London Skolars RL they have given me that chance. At first I thought I would be asked to be assist one of the many talented Coaches we have at U13s, but no, they would ask for more, and the coaching journey of discovery of the greatest game continues to lead me to new and unimaginable destinies.

For this would be THE greatest opportunity thus far and that of leading a group of young men as their Head coach into Battle against the Best that South of the Thames has to offer. What an opportunity, the Best of the “North”, as if it was feted along with my passion for gravy on my chips!!

You never know what to expect from young lads, but the attitude shown was exactly what the coaching combo of Tetlow and Quill were after in our week One get together. A tough session for each and everyone of them, a quick get to know one another whilst looking to build a team spirit that will engulf one and all and lead us to the promised land of victory.

Having had the pleasure of coaching against many of the boys this season I knew that together they had something special that we would see develop during the series.

The effort and commitment to the cause was unending in the opening training session, a tough ask as today would be the opening game of the three match series.

As we all arrived after a long journey down south it would be upto the Combo of Nordic flair to inspire and uplift the lads. Everyone of the team willing to listen, everyone buying into the gameplan set out last week, everyone of them awaiting the next instruction. The boys were prepared. The warm up was attacked with vigour, the skills were silky, the hands top drawer, the tackling beastly!

By the time we hit the runthroughs this team was ready for action and were awaiting the first whistle to unleash the “Northern” Beast!!

Pre-Kick-off the boys listened intently to the words of the Inspirational combo, we owed the “South” for our journey, we would not be denied victory for this was our opportunity, it was our destiny to become victorious, now would be the time to grab with both hands and a shoulder!!

The roar was set, the chasing line set, and we kicked off!!

By the time we had reached the first quarter the boys had played some power Rugby League and the crowd were loving it. The first two attacks resulted in two scores. The passing was crispier than a Rice krispy cake, the support better than a Jeremy Corbyn town hall meeting, Rugby league as inspired by the Sensations of the Coaching combo!!

The South were not going to sit back and unleashed their own beasts and the game was now matching up well but thanks to our early forays we would lead at the half.

The mood in the huddle was bustling, the boys wanted more, and the next 25 minutes would give it to them. The South brought their A-game and notched a couple of scores soon after. Not to be outdone we would play Rugby as the Viking intended, the hands were silky smooth, the support play immense. From one side of the pitch to the other. We would force our opponents to go the length of the field to score, but with some awesome defensive displays there would be no way through the wall of Blue and White.

As the final whistle blew the boys released their smiles knowing there is still a job to do and that their destiny is now firmly in their own hands. We can only give them the tools to execute a gameplan. These lads took that gameplan, unleashed it, tore it up and made it even better.

I am one very proud Coach of these lads; we are one extremely proud Coaching team. The lads have set their standards high and we intend to keep them up there as one impenetrable unit of “Northern” Power.

On that note I will bid you good evening and wish you a great weekend!!

Yours in Rugby league

The Ever Tanning, Awe Inspiring Viking of the New and Improved Scandinavian “Northern” Nation!!

Return to THE #BlackWhitenBlue Pre-Season Positivity Sessions of Power @ChingfordRFC #VikingRugby

The Ever Tanning One would still be feeling the effects of gloom post Saturday and recurring daily visions of THE drop of the game. That said the Viking is nothing but resilient in the face of adversity and will always return for more and this night would be no different. Sure, there was the odd drop but just not as often as previous incarnations.

After some early warm up touch leading into some quick fitness and stretches to smash the nerva-system releasing the endorphins of a Scandinavian Horde that would propel one and all into the challenge of pass n catch propensity. An early test of whether the hands would be willing to accept receipt of the pass, whether in P1, P2, M1L, or just simply Nordic hands!!

By the time I had defended on the Bags of Brutality the body was lacking oxygen and agua purificada but would nevertheless call on the reserves of the mind the body and the soul to give it his best, that of course would include a new drop, but nowhere near as big a clanger as previously!

A great beginning, but only a beginning for we would be straight into full pitch work and see how long it would be before another ball would be dropped. Based on early sightings it could be a while. The one thing the Ever tanning Nordic has in abundance is the ability to avoid juggernaut hits and uses his John Travolta like footwork to side shuffle out of trouble. Never had it been called upon so many times during the evening session.

Not only that but went onto to lock up the ball, produce some offloads, and even help out at the rucks!! Get in!! For a while it may not have been the standard required for London North One, but the gloom was slowly beginning to lift thanks to the lads of the Black White n Blue building the confidence!

When working in Coach Murph’s  group with the King of Dance, Bill Mackie, the Grenade himself, Dave Duffus, Magic  Mike Watson,  my inspirational Biggy Chrissy Smalls and of course Maaa Maaaaan Lukie with vocal support from Pipes you cannot fail to unleash the dancing feet and soft hands whilst being coached around the paddock by the team!!

The mood was definitely improving and by the time we “Guarded” up for Coach Starlo’s Mano e Mano it would be time to put it all into practice in the final matchup!

Non-stop, full blooded, unleash the beast contacting, 22 to 22, the pace was unrelenting, the heart racing, the hands ready, the body bypassed for this was Ching training at it’s very best. Full pace, bludgeoning opponents right down to the ground. BISH, BASH, BOSH!!

Therefore on that note of positivity I leave you to your Bank Holiday weekend in the knowledge that I will be booting up for the Skolars over 35s at the home of Rugby League on Friday afternoon looking for that one true elusiveness of catch and pass and who knows I may even get to cross the whitewash!!

Enjoy your long weekends one and all and I will see you upon arrival as we return to the Home of Rugby in E4 and the Hallowed Fields come Tuesday!!

The Summer Finale’ of the Inspirational #VikingRugby FunCamps 2015

The time had arrived, the final swansong of the Ever inspirational, the always fun, not necessarily in the sun, oval ball led Vikinglytastic Rugby fun camps at the Hallowed Fields of Ching. Two days of indifferent weather as changeable as my ever improving suntan. For the following two days would not be where one could improve the redness.

Post precision-cone setting up the heavens would deliver a waterfall of Odin tears. This did not deter the Viking, nor the committed young band of young men who upon arrival were looking for just one thing . . . FUN!!.

No matter what the weather the Inspirational chorus would sing from the highest height and unleash the Rugby beast against the wettest weather of the month!! Game on!!

Nevertheless as each opportunity would present itself in the form of a period of non-precipitation the crew of the committed would grab it with both hands and would be straight into a nice little warm up.

Plenty of pop passes, try scoring, Reaching for the sky, and this to prepare the hands for the days challenges that would greet 11 young Vikings.

The ol’ favourite of Rugby netball was first up, end to end hands and even more smiles; even with a little rain it didn’t stop these lads from having fun not even another downpouring of heavenly waters. This would lead us into an early feast to avoid another soaking.

On the otherside of the soaking the skies would dry out for long enough to get some Rugby cricket going, two innings each that would set the afternoon tone whilst ignoring the wet conditions.

From this the heavens opened once more but as ever the cones had already been professionally set out for Rugby tennis that turned into a true Battle Royale.

The match was all square at twenty a piece, end to end, kick for kick; catch for catch what a great matchup!!

Just when they thought it was all over into the final run out and a Game of touch. Non-stop action from second one, end to end stuff, the old’uns being stepped by the young uns. The young uns diving for the score, the old uns gently placing and Tommy Makinson corner diving too!!

A great way to end the First day that would set us up nicely for the Final day of this summer fun!!

Upon arrival we would see a major contrast to our arrival the previous day!! SUNSHINE!!! How long would the joy last . . . We would see . . .

Blue skies and the sun shone across the Hallowed Fields, the young Vikings arrived for the final day of the summer fun with the Ever Sun tanning Nordic. Bags away and they were off, some chatting, some passing, some kicking with the ultimate goal of hitting the pitchside fence crossbar. Many made it, some tried and kept trying for this would be the beginning of the last day’s journey.

Straight into a simple little warm up that would see plenty of passing, plenty of scoring, and chip kicking and even more importantly plenty of catching!!YES I KNOW!!!

This would set us up for the first game and ten passes, a most natural lead into Rugby Netball, which would give us an even more natural introduction to Rugby Basketball.

The best was yet to come. As previously mentioned the cones of Ching having been previously scattered precisely, the space of enormity with a hint of subtlety and we would give these young Warriors an introduction to what many Antipodeans class as their number one sport, that of Aussie Rules.

For we would unleash the beast. A truly mesmerising spectacle for all. Non stop running, non-stop kicking, diving, lifting, carrying and scoring that would see us into a well earned lunch break and the Final Summer camp Chicken, Pasta, Salad feast.

Unfortunately, at the time of scribing said feast had been devoured so no photographic evidence.

Young ones will be young ones and polished off their own versions of the Nordic Feast and were soon back out on the lush green fields of Waltham Way enjoying each other’s company whilst the Inspirational Tanning Sensation of the New Scandinavian Nation would enjoy his chicken whilst casting an eye over the post feasting fun!!

The children are full of surprises on my Camps. Just when you think they’ll kick the rugby balls all over the field they all end up sitting down having a chat, a catch up and making new friends.

Once again we had an age spread from 6 years to 13 years, all enjoying each other’s company, which as the Viking inspires me even more to give the children these rugby experiences in the future.

With the feasting finally completed the kicking cones would be set and ready for strategic Goal kicking, angles, height, the return of the “Charlie” 50 pointer would tempt one and all to go all out for the Post/Crossbar combo with the concentration of a counterfeiter, the Gang would be ready for action!!

We had gotten through the first third of the kicks when, yep, you’ve guessed it a little precipitation would turn into a minimalistic downpour into a full blown deluge of water. The call went out, the legs drove, the arms pumped straight back to the confines of the Casa de Viking and the Team Huddle!!

The driest place in all of E4, Feasting tables laid out just as you would expect to the nearest millimetre. Bags, cones and balls all out ready to begin the drying process. Some would chat, some would play. Always tough when the weather is playing havoc with well laid plans. These Vikings are extremely resourceful and use all tools at their disposal to keep the fun going in torrid conditions.

Nevertheless, the smiles were still big, the enjoyment still flowing and the rain even heavier but would not put a dampener on the final minutes of a Great two day extravaganza that would introduce the selfie to the World of the Viking and his Merry band.

This summer has been a great experience for myself, running these camps, and for all those that have attended. To get these off the ground when surrounded by Football all across the region is a massive bonus. I would like to begin by thanking you the parents for supporting the Vision of the Viking and bringing the children down to experience something different other than the main sports.

Children have so many more opportunities than when I was a young Nordic but as the Costner Film once mooted, Build it and they will come. The Ever inspiring VikingRugby Fun camps will be around for a lot longer and will look to explore the skills side of things too so I will keep one and all informed of all future developments.

On that note I will say Goodbye for this Chapter of our Journey and hope to see one and all very soon and as ever I will leave the final few words to Carly Simon to sing us out, take it away Carly . . .

http://tinyurl.com/pp6agzd

OH YES!! Like I would ever let that happen!!HAHAHA!!

I am the Viking, you are the believers, go forth and enjoy the rest of the summer for being the Suntanning Scandinavian I predict come September there will be sun, there will be warmth and there will be Blue sky!!

Positive Redemptions at the Hallowed Fields @ChingfordRFC #TheBlackWhitenBlue

The mood of the Sunning Sensation of the Nordic Nation is not in its usual inspirational and upbeat mode due to an earlier total eclipse of the hands error this afternoon. However, I feel it only fair that I share with you a few musings, scribings if you will, that will begin to build the Momentum of said Viking once again.

http://tinyurl.com/nnkctnf

I give you  . . . GAMEDAY at Waltham Way!!

The sun rose, the sunshine burned through the early morning haze to reveal unblemished skies over E4 in readiness for the visit of Rochford RFC to the Home of Rugby in E4. The Viking was quietly hydrating and not to forget preparing layer after layer of sun cream for we were about to experience a steaming hot late morning arrival at Waltham Way.

Upon said arrival, the Fields of dreams were displaying lava like temperatures, not ideal for one who becomes a magnetic star for random sun rays. As the mercury rose, the redness got a little redder. No midges this afternoon just suntan lines, potentially!!

The arrival of the Mighty Ching would produce more than thirty five lads willing to commit to the cause of Murphy and Starlo, all ages, all experiences, all ready to back up in the Mediterranean heat.

The tribute to BBS was ready, the white long sleeved compression, all set for action. The warm up would begin in the midday sun and having prepped pre-arrival the first thirty minutes would be crucial to the Vikings survival.

Once complete it was upto the individual’s own accountability to prepare for the team run throughs, the hands would quicken, the pace would increase, the heat would attack but no abatement for the Black, White n Blue, the agua purificada on standby for what would  become a monstrous warm up in the searing sunshine of E4.

The lads stuck to their guns, the faces reddened, the footwork began to outshine the heavenly rays. The eyes now beginning to sting from previous applications of the suncream would be put to the back of one’s mind as the final run-throughs would lead us to the moments of clarity pre-kick-off.

The time had come, the time was now, both teams vying for territory and the standards now set we would see who would become victorious in the Heat Bowl of Ching.

The Ching looked very good in the early exchanges, some speed out on the edges, the forwards dominating, the ball sticking in the hands like cement and bricks. By the time the teams had their first break for the nectar of the Gods it was wholesale changes and the exact opposite occurred, we were being dominated. As both team calmed and exchanged scores, we were deep into the third quarter of the match and it was time for the tanned one to unleash the Nordic beast. There wasn’t long to do it and from second one the ball would work its way across but just couldn’t get into the hands.

Nevertheless the game was still on a knife-edge tooing and frowing. The opposition fly half had kicked into touch every penalty. The challenge had been offered as the ball would be hit long and towards the Viking infield. What was about to happen would cause mental chaos in the mind and turn the whole day upside down for this was not to be as the ball moved and was knocked on, huge personal disappointment. If caught you would have been reading about the catch and run for months, for now just gloom.

However, there was a light at the end of the tunnel, the forward pack would deliver a massive defensive lesson of Chingford scrummaging to the opposition, the back line blitzed their opposites with awesome goal line defence and turned the Vikings error into a huge stand of defiance, so my friends I thank you one and all who stepped into the breach of the Scandinavian.

Therefore on that note, enjoy the England France match-up and I will be on a rebuilding mission for the foreseeable days and weeks.

Farewell, so long, Auf Wierdersehen Goodbye, GOOOOOOOOD BYYYYYYYYYYYYYYEEE!!

Until Monday!!

The Pre-Season Ultimate Penultimate trainer @ChingfordRFC with @fatboymurph #VikingRugby

After a torrid weekend of defeats across the Rugby Nation of the Viking it was time to return to the home of Rugby in E4 and the Mighty Black, White, n Blue of the Ching. Always keen, always enthused to be part of this, the Pre-seasonal instrumentation of Power at the Hallowed Fields!!

Never a dull moment, always effort, always power, always lit up like a Catherine wheel on Fireworks Night!!

To open proceedings and the subject of the early discussion, the catching ability of the Gilbert alongside the aging Hammies of the All tanning, now All Suntannningly improved Viking. The hammies maybe tender but OH WHAT A NIGHT!!!!

From minute one it was always going to be tough but a complete and utter blast. Great laughs and effort from the off would see the Viking opening holes up for fun, sidestepping like Wayne Sleep on steroids and even getting amongst the contact!! I KNOW!!

The tyre challenge was immense, the human ladder, challenging but the best would be saved for a little while later, for this would display the Human carnage that is the Gauntlet run. However, pre-Gauntlet would be the physically demanding and mentally building two or three minute drill. Every sinew of every muscle would be worked to its most maximum output, not once, not twice but thrice and boy was it worth it for the recovery time was a blessing of heavenly proportions.

With the Return of Big Ben ready to light up one and all and Big “Z” waiting in the wings to smash n bash now would be the time for a stretch. NOT TODAY!!!

The Power of the Nord would unleash the speeding beast, at the very heart of the oncoming booming defence would still get ball after ball away. By the time we hit the double channel of destiny holes were opening up quicker than a models tights and unrealised would lead to another discovery that the ball would not be put down!!

By sessions end and the Bib exchanges that matched the quality of the Aromatic spices from the Edmonton recycling plant on a warm evening we had just put in a great shift and what makes it all worthwhile every Monday and Wednesday.

This is why the Ching beats from within, giving it your best, being peeled off the grass after being wiped out but knowing you’ve given your all. Working alongside more experience and youth and learning from them, unleashing your full repertoire and enjoying the feeling of a full power session at the Hands of the Black, the White n the Blue!!

Nobody does it better than you guys!! Who wouldn’t want to be part of this great group? This is what it’s all about.

For now my friends, readers, inspirees I bid you Good evening and Good night as I prepare for another days coaching dans le Matin and look to inspire even more.

For now though I am the Inspired one and I thank you all for that.  These are the words of the ever tanning, ever inspired and dangerously scribing Sensation of the Scandinavian Nation.

Come one, Come all, Come Wednesday!!

The Pre-Season at the Home of Rugby in E4 @ChingfordRFC #VikingRugby #BlackWhitenBlue

To begin, I would just like to apologise for not making two out of the final sprints due to the Hammies becoming a little tighter than I would have preferred. A later than advertised apology for not running the length of the field the other night when I saw young Aiden in my rear-view and last but not least a hello to young Stevie G for “Giving it a go” this evening!!

I sit here whilst perusing my chicken and pasta pre-Emmerdale viewing, trigger happy index fingers astride the keyboard of destiny. Ready to unleash the scribing beast of the Ever tanning Viking and share with one and all this evening’s session of Power ably led by THE Coach Starlo, inspired by Dave “the Grenade” Duffus and backed up by a cast of purist Black White n Blue!!

The first session for the Viking on a Wednesday evening was a great opportunity to catch up pre-session with some old faces all of whom gave the thumbs up. Straight into touch would unleash the lads. It was great to see the Bullet Ball Smith, BBS, the Newly Married Danny B, the returning Bear and course not to forget the Legend of the Dance young Bill. Onwards and upwards.

Hands, as always is the name of the Starlo game and tonight would be no different. One page I have taken from his Coaching manual is the constant pass n catch THAT WORKS!! Alright I realise I fluffed my lines once or twice but the feeling of Scandinavian Redemption became all the sweeter, for a draw of said defender, a drop of the silky shoulder and away on my toes, even the pass came off. An extremely satisfying feeling even for one like myself.

By the time we reached 4 vs. 2 I was flying, inspired of course by the Brothers Hollis, Big Dave, Young Henry and Lynchie on a Mission and how could I fail. With so much support around why would you not want to get down to the Hallowed Fields and give it your all for these lads!!

Sessions like these help the Viking to develop and become a better player and by the time we encountered Pitch length Parramatta I was Nordically sparkling. Fast feet, soft hands and lightning speed around the edges unleashing the Viking Beast from within. A moment’s notice would see us through to the final pitch fitness which I have to say I had forgotten about but felt like the proverbial brick over the head. With these lads anything is possible.

This game that we love is for the younger man but thanks to all of your support thus far in pre-season you spur me on to become fitter, stronger and more skilful. For this my friends I will give you my best week in week out, so for now all I have to give are two words for you  . . . THANK YOU!!

I bid you Good evening, safe travel and enjoy your weeks end and weekend Viking Style!!