Rarely do you get the honour of contesting a trophy modestly named after someone who is still alive, but the Ian Watson Cup is one of those occasions. Whits had retained the cup earlier in the season with a close 18-16 win away from home so were looking to do the double over Old Freemens.

In front of a gammoned-up crowd, some of whom even came out of the bar in time for the start, the Jazzers kicked off playing down the pringle. After a scrappy start where we drew penalties but struggled with continuity Mr Positive, JL, slotted a well-earned penalty. 3-0.

This pretty much opened the floodgates.

Straight from the kick-off the Jazzers strung together 6 or 7 phases which included touches from nearly the entire team to eventually send Petschi over in the corner. 8-0.

Minutes later, and after mounting pressure on the OF (the club, not the website) line, some lovely hands from Alex Smith put JL in for a try unopposed. This time the conversion was successful. 15-0.

From the kick-off, Smit flicked a lovely inside ball to 18-year-old back rower Ollie Pace who powered through the defensive line. After making 50 metres and to cries of “noooooo” from the balcony he looped a lefthanded pass over the top to find young second-row Ted. To even louder cries of “noooooo” Ted decided that this situation needed a grubber kick, so daintily dropped the ball onto his foot. He’d clearly been studying the career of veteran Jim Ryan as the kick sat up perfectly for George to dot down what might be the most ridiculous try ever scored at the Whits. JL added the extras. 22-0.

The remainder of the first half saw OF apply some pressure inside the OW’s 22 but to no avail. Some great defence, including some turnovers from Petschi and James Wood. 22-0. HT.

Freemens scored early in the second half but did little to change the flow of the game. 22-7.

With the front-row ‘bomb squad’ (props aren’t inventive) doing some excellent bending over and pushing, newcomer of the season, Jay, hit a good line to finish off a lovely team try. 29-7.

As the only stats-driven team in the league… moving former 4.4-rucks-hit-per-game-flanker Charles Petschi to centre was always going to work. And it did from the kick-off. Following his break, he even passed the ball to DL who selflessly put his brother in for a second try. Or maybe he didn’t have the lungs to make it. The jury is still out. 36-7.

OF, who had been a lot better than the scoreline, had now suffered a few injuries and gaps started to emerge everywhere. Another spectacular long-range try was scored, this time by DL who chipped the fullback before just getting to the ball before it went dead. 41-7.

Two further scores were added by Ollie Pace (my MoM) and JL. At this point, an OF supporter stood next to me and declared, “I don’t think we’re winning this”. Possibly fair. 53-7.

Freemens 10 scored his second try with the final play to finish things off. 53-14. FT.

Great performance from the Jazzers to retain the Ian Watson Cup which the man himself presented along with £20 after the game. Inflation busting prize money at Croham Manor Road.

Thanks to Freemens for what is always an entertaining game played in good spirits.

Elsewhere… England. But more importantly, the inaugural Old Whitgiftian girls’ team played on Sunday against Dorking, and won! Congrats to all involved on an amazing achievement.

UTmfG.