Arrive and go into changing room, a wooden shack on stilts bare and desolate. Each player starts to change, going through their own individual routines and preparation.

VNR calls for silence "start and get mentally prepared".

VNR instructs John Edwards to lead a short warm up.

We then listen to Dave Sunderland who speaks about ‘mind psychology’ to be clinical in thought for the upcoming game. For many of us it is the pinnacle of our rugby achievements, etc – etc.
All this is well intentioned but goes straight over my head.

John Edwards leads another short warm up.

Next VNR recites the parable of the woman and the baby crossing a field in a heavy storm, the woman opens a gate to cross to another field, the gate swings violently in the high winds and the hinges snap, the five bar gate traps the young baby underneath, with the heavens black with heavy rain and lightning, the woman struggles, slips and struggles again. Finally she summons all her strength with one last effort to free the baby, the message is don’t give up give your all “blood & sweat”.

John Edwards leads another short warm up.

Final adjustment to kit and toilet visit.

Final worlds from the captain Bob Wadsworth, he asks us to trust each other and look into the eyes of your teammates during a moment of silence.

We then file out, as I am near the door and probably fourth in line to go out VNR says “Roberts” and pulls me to one side and instructs me to punch Phil Brown and make it count, he is my opposite number in the line out, do this at the second or third line out. VNR explains I want all the forwards involved in the scrap, VNR says “I want Walsall to know Burton are here to do it.”

Setting up a new post war record off the number of wins in a season
Winning the Staffordshire Cup
Qualifying for The National Knock Out Cup

P46 W29 L15 D2 For 833 Against 426