A New Alliance

JOSEPH CURRIE

We tell ourselves that we’ll prepare for Downlands the same way we do for any other game, but we’re lying to ourselves.

As a young TGS rugby player, all you want is to be part of the 2:15 pm fixture on Grammar - Downlands Day and win the O’Callaghan Cup.

We had a tough loss against BBC in round one of the GPS season, the week before Grammar - Downlands. Despite this, every player in the squad came into the week’s first training session prepared to win. Unfortunately, I tore my abductor during the BBC fixture, which was far from ideal. But I had my mind set on Downlands. The energy and excitement were tangible as we prepared for what was potentially the biggest game most of us would ever play. Due to my injury, I didn’t train all week, but I didn’t think I’d be sidelined. There were news cameras and reporters at training, and after several media interviews, lunchtime war cry practices and training sessions, it was suddenly the night before the match. The team had dinner at The Curry Hut; it helped take our minds off the game. We then went our separate ways to prepare. This year, I have been fortunate to be the apprentice coach for the 13As, which allowed me to be at the School bright and early to support their match; they helped distract my thoughts from the upcoming game.

When it came time, we were in a good mood and confident in our preparation. The team was super excited in the sheds, but the nerves were obvious. The warmup was sharp and energetic, which was a good sign. However, I struggled to get through it due to my injury. I spent most of the pre-game with the team physiotherapist, Mr David Veal, trying to get to a point where I could play confidently. The walk from the sheds to the field was powerful. We heard nothing but the noise of our tags on the concrete before we were met by our blue and gold brothers. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t in pain, but walking through the tunnel lifted me, I suddenly felt invincible as we prepared for kick-off.

The start of the game was frantic. After an early yellow card and Downlands’ penalty kick, we took confidence in our defensive structure. The following 70 minutes of footy will forever be a blur. It wasn’t my ideal match play, and I was frustrated that I could not move how I usually would, but that’s footy. I had told myself in the sheds pregame that I would finish the match and do my job for the team, so I bit down on my mouthguard and did what I could, where I could. Even when we were down 8-0, it never crossed my mind that we would lose. Watching Charlie Wigan streak away to score under the posts for the final try will be a memory I will hang onto forever. The whistle blew, and it was job done. 24-8.

To see the jubilation of the crowd on The Terraces made it all worthwhile. Singing the war cries with the boys is what it was all about. I probably shouldn’t have played, and I was immediately ruled out of the following week’s match, but I will forever be grateful that I was part of the game and made those memories.

Joseph Currie 1st XV Vice-captain