January 2009 Archives

Global warming kicks in and the pitches have been frozen for weeks, several games have been postponed and I couldn't be happier. Four weeks ago we endured the disastrous Macclesfield game that we lost after our starting back row were injured. Jake Lyon our 6 was crushed at the bottom of a ruck whilst bridging and his knee gave way to the pressure tearing his medial ligaments, a lengthy break for rehabilitation was required. John Sewell our number 7 was second to leave the field of play with a broken forearm after a clash with an elbow during a tackle which required an operation to put in a plate to keep it together and 8-10 weeks was the predicted break from the game. I went on to survive until 70 minutes before dislocating my thumb and breaking a bone in my hand. I have since had an operation to pin my thumb in place and a pin to hold the broken bone. The pins came out on Tuesday and I am now working to be fit to play.

So far I have missed only one league game thanks to the unusual weather but have had the chance to watch my younger brother play for the first team in several 1st XV games. He more than impressed stepping up for the first time and I am sure he has a bright future ahead...however, he thought I would be lonely on my return trips to the hospital for check up so thought he would join me by almost breaking his leg whilst playing against Kendal just before Christmas. An ambulance was needed as the visiting doctor also thought he had broken it, but what was thought to be a break turned out to be severe ligament damage and he is on his way through rehab with the rest of us.

A dark winter was made worse by injury but the games going un-missed thanks to the weather makes me smile a little and confirms Christmas as my favourite time of year. Another year has rolled around and Caldy are in a solid position having lost top spot to Nuneaton due to the games missed, I for one hope that we don't just return to the top spot but fulfil some of the potential we have shown glimmers of over the last year. We have beaten teams playing poorly, we have lost to teams playing awfully, we have stepped up when it has been a big game but we run the risk of being caught out in games that must be won but are not billed as 'league winners'. If our potential is realised and we hit our top form, nobody will stop us, if we do not then we will be just another team playing in National 3.

Eric Burns once wrote, "Greatness is more than potential. It is the execution of that potential. Beyond the raw talent. You need the appropriate training. You need the discipline. You need the inspiration. You need the drive."