King Penguins at York RFC
21st August 2015, Clifton Park, York

The first “home” fixture undertaken by The King Penguins since their formation in 2009 following the Clubs’ 50th Anniversary match at Twickenham, coincided with the 70th birthday weekend of KP co-manager John Zimnoch. It is no coincidence therefore that the beautiful city of York was chosen for this fixture, given that it is JZ’s home town and was his chosen place of habitation prior to his exile to Toronto.

Following the usual level of meticulous organisation and planning the “Shambles” tour begun with the KP troops assembling in the excellent clubhouse facilities of York Rugby Club at Clifton Park, around 5.30pm on a sunny, warm summer’s Friday afternoon. As is the norm, considerable effort was made by the twenty-five or so KP’s in attendance, with men travelling from as far afield as Vancouver, Hong Kong and Geneva in order to make the match. The usual contingent from Edinburgh was in attendance along with a handful of new boys - and a very welcome addition to the ranks they are - all the way from Redcar. Several travelled up from London and the South East and other from Cumbria and the North West. With an Aussie or two in the ranks, a South African taking the field and our token Kiwi and Club Chief Executive Craig Brown in attendance, we were, once again, proud to be represented by men from all over the globe, continuing the truly international spirit of the club.

Two matches were arranged for JZ’s weekend. The first being an over 55’s, 20 minute run-around, with little to no contact……or so we thought. The match commenced with York kicking to us, and, with the ball safely fielded and shipped swiftly out to the wing in seconds through unerring hands, the first big hit of the match took place -their muckle, bald, snorting centre the culprit, our classy, Melrose 7’s winner’s medal bearing winger Paul Raeburn the unsuspecting recipient. “Jeezo-by-crikey” – or words to that effect – was the cry, “I thought this was the non-contact match”.

So, the scene was set and gloves were off early, the match continuing in fine spirit from there on with only the three yellow sou’-wester-hat wearing contingent of 70 year olds spared the physicality. The turn of events actually suited the KP over 55’s who revelled in the full-contact environment, scoring four converted tries to one unconverted touch-down in reply in the 20 minutes or so prior to the whistle blowing to end this period of play. 28 – 5 the final score and the KP seniors left the field beaming from ear to ear at a job well done.

The over 35’s took to the field with much expectation and under some pressure following the senior’s display. However, a perfect blend of hardy forwards based around the boys from Redcar and silky backs from around the globe, didn’t let us down.

The initial fifteen minutes or so was somewhat of an arm-wrestle, the truth be known, but eventually, the KP forwards began to assert their dominance and space became available for the sleek backs to exploit, and the tries began to flow. In total some 13 tries were scored across the two matches, all but two of which were converted. Redcar’s own youthful 35 year-old, Richie Young led the honours bagging four, Tim Barlow dotted down three times and Graeme Smith smashed over for a couple. To augment this, the forwards chipped in fittingly through “The Duke” himself, Neil Young, who grabbed one, as did all-action second-rower, Richie Barker, and the “rucking-machine” Bruce Fair who crossed the white-wash for one as well. Completing the scoring with another try was Andy “the enforcer” Douglas. Conversions were knocked over by Harris (x4), Warbrick (x3) and Richie Young and Barlow (x2 apiece).

The standard of rugby at times was quite remarkable given that the team had never played together prior to that match. However, with Richie Young and captain Ian Warbrick combining seamlessly from the outset in the important, standard-setting, half-backs positions, and with the undoubted class in the centre brought by Graeme Smith and Tim Barlow complemented by a back-three rotating between Paul Raeburn, Adam Lowles, John Kerr, the hard-running Rob Bryce and Conan Sharman, much was expected. Fortunately, much was delivered, somewhat to everyone’s relief. Indeed it would be hard to find a scratch team at this level with a higher calibre of back-division taking to the field.

The hard work, as usual, was done up front where the Redcar props consisting of the immovable Jason Nichols and the gritty Paul Beal sandwiching the effervescent Gordy Dickson at hooker, collectively making up a hard and formidable – if not bonnie - front-row. The engine room was not to be scoffed at either, with Redcar’s Richie Barker having a barn-storming match in harness with the mighty Andy Douglas who brought his usual blend of bulk, muscle and tenacity to the party. The back-row was led by the swash-buckling “Duke” Neil Young playing 8, in combination with a lot of mongrel from “Bruiser” Bruce Fair at 7 and a combination of the classy Andy Tait, the legendary Adam Buchanan-Smith and (eventually) our leader Craig Brown rotating at 6, and making up a pack not to be messed with.

A special mention goes to two players who earned their King Penguins “wings” in Cumbria’s own Jason Patrick and JZ’s lad Hans Zimnoch, neither of whom had played much rugby prior to this occasion, but both of whom took to the field in the “big match” and showed up well, having already played a full part in the first match.

Following the success on the field, a presentation of club ties to the new players and the subsequent presentation, received from, and reciprocated to, the good men of York Rugby Club all took place within the fine facilities of their club-house. Following which the squad – resplendent in club shirts and ties – and understandably requiring refreshment and rehydration, took to the town of York and, it can be said, equally successfully achieved the task at hand as set by King Penguins Honorary Judge and nutritionist-in-chief, Keith Wallace. In said task the squad was assisted by Torrie Callander and his stag party, whom, having spent a quiet day at York races, turned out to support the KP’s for the duration of both matches. Featuring within the ranks of this shambles were former Penguins skipper, Marcus Di Rollo – who wasn’t persuaded to take the playing the field on this occasion – and the aforementioned former Penguins flying winger, Conan Sharman, who was.

As they had done during the matches, Buck and the Young brothers set the off-field standard outstandingly high during the rehydration session, a standard which they remarkably maintained for the remainder of the whole weekend.

Saturday was a special day indeed, being the commencement of the celebrations for JZ’s 70th birthday. The squad, plus the stag party, congregated at York RFC clubhouse at around 11.00 a.m.to undertake a short-ish “magical mystery tour” of a bus trip through the beautiful Yorkshire dales via Castle Howard to the Earl of Harome’s country pile, for delicious beers and nibbles. Youngy delighted the whole party throughout the pleasant drive, with his in-depth, if somewhat slightly unusual, knowledge of the local countryside and surrounds.

Refreshed and replenished through the generosity of the Earl and his most-tolerant wife and family, Redcar Rugby Club was apparently “only a stones-throw away”, and the party set-off in fine fettle for more arduous hours on board the damned coach. With the boys ever grateful to JZ, Redcar was eventually reached and a short-detour along the promenade offered the chance to (at last) set eyes on the much heralded, legendary Redcar Vertical Pier.

Next stop Redcar Rugby Club where the beers flowed and the generosity of welcome knew no bounds. Fish-suppers – breakfast for some – preceded the court session during which our indefatigable Judge Wallace excelled, with misdemeanours recounted in detail and fines given down liberally. The culmination of a fine afternoon in the summer sun at Redcar was the trip back to York RFC to watch the World Cup warm-up match between France and England. The journey passed quickly as Patrick introduced the party to an interesting new song and Buck demonstrated the intricacies of skydiving. Another good night in the clubhouse, following which the party dispersed to head home, to bed, presumably.

The fine weekend was rounded off on Sunday afternoon at JZ’s abode for his birthday celebration and BBQ. Entertainment was provided by the Ebor Brass-band and Youngy and a wonderful afternoon was had by all.

The King Penguins next gather for the trip in June/July 2016 to Prague for a match in celebration of the Czech national team’s 90th anniversary, and to support the (main) Penguins who will play The Czech team.

Team

Squad to York 2015:
Paul Beal, Gordon Dickson, Jason Nichols, Andy Douglas, Richie Barker, Andy Tate, Bruce Fair, Neil Young, Adam Buchanan-Smith, Craig Brown, David Harris, Keith Wallace, Hans Zimnoch, Richie Young, Ian Warbrick (Captain), Paul Raeburn, Graeme Smith, Tim Barlow, Adam Lowles, John Kerr, Conan Sharman, Rob Bryce, Patrick Jackson, Ciaran Trainor, John Zimnoch, Peter Ray, Paul Worthington

King Penguin Manager: David Harris

Photos