'CRAYOLA 3 AGRICS 0'

What a game! The Venue: The Medics Ground, Heaton. The Date: 13th November 2002. A day that will live in our hearts forever. The story of what unfolded on that mild autumnal afternoon will be told for generations of Crayolians, and will never be forgotten.

Crayola arrived, in dribs and drabs, at the Medics ground. A strong squad of 20 brave warriors preparing for the task ahead. James Hinton....no boots! Back to Henderson he went. The rest warmed up regardless. The warm-up filled everyone full of confidence. The line-outs were crap, Hutch's passing was poor to say the least. Things were looking good! James arrived back with his boots and the stage was set. Back in the changing room. We were fired-up, we were NOT going to lose this.

15 Crayola Warriors took to the field, sporting black armbands as a mark of respect to the late Drew Kirk, and prepared for battle. Mark won the toss and elected to kick. James hit a beautiful hanging kick off, an Agric caught it and was greeted by 8 fired-up forwards. "Get into touch you f****r" blasted from Andy Reid's mouth. Crayola stayed camped in the Agrics half for the first 5 minutes coming close on a number of occasions but coming away empty handed. The tables turned and it was the farmers who took the initiative. Camped on the Crayola line, and being held up 4 times, the Agrics pushed for a try, but Crayola stood firm. An organised (yes, organised) defensive line never looked like being broken, even under immense pressure. That is a credit to Crayola. A clearing kick from James, and it was Crayola who were on the attack. Yet again Crayola piled on the pressure but failed to cross the Agrics line, and the Half Time whistle was blown. 0-0. Crayola gathered round for another inspiration teamtalk and a well-earned breather, then back out for the second half.

Crayola yet again started well and spent long periods in the Agrics half. But it was the farmers who dominated the second period. They came close to scoring but that Crayola defence was not going to be beaten today. We could have played until midnight and they wouldn't have crossed that line.....maybe not! They got a penalty, opted to kick at goal. Their kicker, obviously the least talented of the two of the field (the other being ME!), duly missed an easy 3-points from 20m out. Crayola got fired up and again began to press the Agrics. Then, a penalty....on the half-way line. "I'll have a stab"...proved a bit over-ambitious as it fell just short. A farmer caught it and somehow dodged through about 4 Crayolians. That was until he met 'The Machine'. Ian Spafford was awarded Man of the Match, just for that tackle. I couldn't have given it to anybody else, and I don't think anyone will disagree. The poor farmerboy must have thought he'd been hit by a train, and took an absolute age to get up...I'm not surprised either!

The Agrics were again on the attack. The Fly Half slots a cheeky grubber kick through, only for Mark Holmes to produce arguably the best kick he has ever done. On the volley, torpedo, 50m down field. Pure brilliance....pure fluke. It was greeted by Tom Hartley's worshipping and the statement "I bet you can't do that again!". I bet I can't. Crayola were back on the offensive. Penalty....roughly the same distance as last time, but the ref marches the Agrics back 10m for mouthing-off. 40m out.."I'll have a stab". Mark Holmes line the ball up, on the tee, the usual routine (arse scratching, etc). An awful connection followed. Everybody watched as the ball headed towards the posts. Silence. Will it make it? Of course it will. Holmes had turned away ages ago, never in doubt! It clipped the crossbar on the way over, but 3-0. Crayola lead for the first time ever! 3 minute to go. Will they hold on? The Agrics pressed and pressed. Penaly, Scrum, Penalty....Knock-on!! Get in! "Last Play". The ever reliable scrum won the ball and Hutch whacked the ball backwards and over the dead ball line a good 3 miles! Crayola had won!!! The celebrations started. A 20 man dive across a muddy field pleased the groundsman, but the night was still young! And what a night! The chants rang around Newcastle. It was truely a day we will never forget. Well done lads. Great stuff!

Mark Holmes