Met Police 2nd XV Return To Duty

Seventy-five years after London’s Finest first picked up a pig’s bladder and ran with it, this sporting life turned somewhat bleak for the Metropolitan Police Rugby Football Club. The advent of professionalism, an extensive formal league structure and police accountability to its community and its budget control flushed the famous rugby club down a seemingly inextricable hole at the end of the last millenium. First to go was a second team as availability became a luxury rather than a right, and the 1st XV was soon mothballed as it dropped through the league structure from the National League to the drudge of Middlesex & Herts and then Surrey’s quixotic lower leagues. Only the old folk kept the club alive. These were men whose pasts became better the longer the years went on; these were policeman who were too arthritic to walk the beat and detectives whose bellies would enter the changing room long before the rest of them even entered the ground. But gradually, quietly and even miraculously, it has begun to turn around. A 1stXV is now well into its inexorablele climb back up through the Surrey Leagues. And, now, on a cold Saturday in December, the Met has put out a 2nd XV.

Teddington taken to the wire by Met Police
The Met Police 2nd XV ran Teddington 3rds close in their first game in over 16 years. Led by former 1st XV regular, Laurence Bolton, the Met showed an exciting brand of rugby that would have pleased the watching 1st XV coach, Richard Hicks, whose exciting brand of rugby is clearly permeating beyond just the senior team and is attracting players in increasing numbers.
Playing on their stunning home pitch, the Met started enthusiastically but the experience and togetherness of the Teddington outfit enabled the visitors to start the scoring and they soon had a two try lead before the Met could get off the mark. For some of the Met players, the advent of a full on competitive game caught them a little cold and the physic was the busiest person on the pitch as the Police found muscles and joints they hadn’t used since the last century. Nevertheless, with some help from the generous visitors, the Met were able to maintain the competitiveness and slowly clawed their way into the game. The Pace brothers were to leave an indelible record on this fixture and it was one of them who opened the scoring for the Police with a penalty goal. Teddington were quick to respond with their third try but Joel Pace and Bradley Pace both crossed for the Met to level the score at 15-15 at half-time.
The second half will be recorded as an equally tight affair, with only Teddington crossing for a converted try and an eventual win by 22-15. In truth, referee Inspector Gavin Bolton, who had worked so hard to get this fixture played, decided discretion was the better part of valour as the Police began to fall to unattributable injuries, and eventually their were no more left in the box. He blew the whistle somewhat early, but it was only to concludee a memorable afternoon on an upbeat note (he should be in the Police Band - ed).
There is no doubt that the game was enjoyed by both players and spectators alike. It is hoped it is the first step on the road to regular second team outings. A follow up fixture is scheduled for 28th January and there is no doubt that, with increased numbers at training but still some problems for players being released from Saturday shifts, the 2nd XV fulfils a very valuable role for the past and future famous Met Police RFC.