CONTENT4th Quarter : October - December 2008 THE BIG CHAIR 12 TEE TIME 4 Words of wisdom from the Chairman Report on the recent Banger Golf Tournament from \ Graham Fox BANGER NEWS A GRUMPY BANGER 5 Overview of Banger activity during the last 19 Spam and how its spoils the day quarter 6 THE mOTS Du cAPTAINE 22 GEOFF THE CHIEF Message from our energetic club captain How to build and cook a Haggis Jean Francois Klentzi 7 BURGESS 23 WHAT THE PAPERS SAY Words of wisdom from the finest coaches in Its still a players game. Captured from Thailand the english papers 13 14 21 9 BANGER YouTH RUGBY DeveLOPMENT Andy Campbell’s tongue in cheek review of his crusade to promote youth rugby in the provinces. Magic stuff - BANGER BANTER OCT - DEC 2008 BANGER NEWS ONLY NINETY SHOPPING DAYS TO CHRISTMAS his quarter is busy are busy. Training has moved back to Patana after a stanza at the riverside Shewsbury International School Tground. Pete and Jeff seems happy with the numbers at training each weekend and with the number of new players that turn up for a run each Sunday. The annual Banger Golf Tournament was a great day. It did not look to good at 5.00am with torrential rain threatening to destroy the event. However, the Bangers are a resilent lot and after the usual early morn- ing Bloody Marys, they made their way to the Bangkok Golf Club. The day went down hill from there. Andy Campbell has been very busy with his rugby coaching clinics in the provinces. Great turnouts at all venues. Already a number of schools lining up to get involved, This is an amazing achievement and unprecedented in Thai youth rugby development. The Banger have a “new” newsletter. Jeff roles out his weekly new- sheet to Banger members each Monday. A good read. Another great rugby dinner a couple of weeks ago. A brace of Welsh rugby legends entertained punters with stories from the Welsh glory years. The Bangers played matches against Rangsit University, The South- erners and the Mossman RFC from Sydney. The Southerners match was special, with the Colts playing a brand of rugby that blew the op- position off the park. Tom Watters the evergreen Banger is currently planning his “Testicle- monial” match. It has now been delayed till January. The Bangkok Sevens are on in November with the Colts and Silver- tails entered in this long standing tournament. A 10 kilometer fun run is planned in November at the Ancient City. Another Bangers family BBQ in December and then one of the highlights of year, the Banger Christmas Party at Tenderloins. The calendar is full. A special thanks to all the scribes that sent copy each quarter for the Banter during the year. Without you the newsletter would is not be possible. As usual, if you have anything you wish to add to the Banter, please send your offerings to [email protected]. EDITORIAL Andrew McDowell, Tom Walters, Doug Ozanne, Brian PHOTOGRAPHY: Johnn Jean “Jeff “Francois Klentzi, Peter Sinclair Thompson, David Smith, Jaspers, Robert Brewer, Andrew Burgess, Andy Campbell, Rick Mike Laloli McDowell O’Shea, Andrew Tatam, Geoff CONTRIBUTORS Paul Hollings, WEBMASTER: Jason Manning McKenna Tom Kerr The Banger Banter is published quarterly for the Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club, for distribution to members, sponsors and friends of the club through the club web site. Club members contribute both editorial and photography. The layout and design is provided by Ruck Graphics - a member of the Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club Are Proudly Sponsored By - BANGER BANTER OCT - DEC 2008 THE BIG CHAIR WE ARE NOW INTO THE LAST QUARTER OF 2008 nd half way through the Bangers year and with a number of successes already. The most recent of which Awas winning the Soi Cup back from the Southerners, two weeks ago. Last weekend we played Mossman from Sydney and although we lost by 10 points it was a good game. Since the last Ban- ter we have participated in the Pattaya & the Phuket 10’s and coming up soon are the Bangkok International 7’s and the Tour to Ankor Wat. The committee is doing it’s best to arrange as many games and social events and this year is looking good so far. Before Xmas we will have the usual Carol Karaoke and in January Hamish’s 60th Testiclemoanial Game and family BBQ. This year the involvement of the Bangers in Youth Rugby De- velopment has taken off, thanks to the efforts of Andy Camp- bell. I have personally attended the clinics in Prae and just last weekend in Loei. There were others Udon Thani in Surat Thani, both well attended and supported by Bangers. These weekends are enjoyable but more importantly the Thai children learn new skills and the improvement in their playing ability from one day to the next. is very clear to see. Typically 10 - 250 children turn up and come from a number of prov- inces surrounding the chosen location. If you have time please join in and support this very worthy activity. Lastly, the Old Bangkok Bangers is in the process of join- ing the Thai Rugby Union. We should be a member in a few months. Don’t forget if you have any suggestions for the running of the club, please let me or any of the committee members know. Go the Bangers! A McDowell Andrew McDowell Chairman Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club Are Proudly Sponsored By 4 - BANGER BANTER OCT - DEC 2008 BANGER NEWS BANGERS HIT GOLF COURSE a great afternoon. The Bangers Annual Golf Tournament 2008 was again a COLTS THUMP THE SOUTHERNERS great success. The two silvertail Bangers Foxy and Jake, The Banger performance of the year. The Colts tore the past masters at organising sports events, ensured the day Southerners apart in a rugged encounter in the Soi ran smoothly. There were no winners. A day of camara- Challenge Cup. The forwards were all over the opposi- derie, frivolity and bonhomie. The buses of well lubri- tion grinding them into the ground and the backs took cated players arrived back at Wall Street in time for the every ground making opportunity given to them. Great Wallaby - Springbok match. tries scored by forwards and backs. Final score Banger EVANS MET HENRY 8 Southerners 5. Justice done, after so many close en- Its just come to light, that earlier this year, our club Cana- counters with our Soi neighbours dian international Eddie Evans, attended the BC Rugby MOSSMAN BRING COLTS DOWN TO SIZE Coaching Clinic and Professional Development Course After the recent thrilling win against the Southerners, in Vancouver, Canada. Eddie was amongst a retinue of the Bangers were taken down a notch by the north shore past and current greats of Canada’s national program Sydney club. Mossman RFC. Mossman were very invited to attend. Graham Henry, the All Black was the strong defensively and blunted the Banger attack all guest coach for the event. In the social events that fol- afternoon. The Sydneysiders secured victory, with well lowed the days activity, Eddie met Henry over a beer or worked tries from loose play. The Colts did not give up two and offered him advice - free of charge naturally. and twice drove the ball, inches from the Mossman try YOUTH RUGBY CLINICS A SUCCESS STORY line. Final score. Mossman 10 Colts 0 Andy Campbell’s rugby training clinics in Udon Thani, TRI NATIONS ATTRACTS BKK PUNTERS Phrae and Surat Thani have been a real Banger success The Tri Nations match in Hong Kong has attracted in- story in Thailand. A credit to Andy and the team of Bang- terest amongst members. A number have bought tour er volunteers who assist by giving up their weekends to packages or secured tickets through sources in Bangkok. help run the proceedings. The next clinic is in Loei with Should be memorable excursion to one of Asia’s great Graham Spence coming on board to help the club. Andy cities. also gives his time coaching Rangsit University. SAIGON DIRTY GECKOS TO PLAY VETS CLUB CIRCULATES ANOTHER BROADSHEET The Saigon Dirty Geckos will be in Bangkok next month “Jeff” the resourceful club captain of many talents, has to take on the Old Boys at Patana School. The coach and started a new mini newsletter. A great read and fill of in- Colts Captain has recommended it would be good idea teresting club information. The Bangers must be the most if a silvertails got “their arse into gear” and turn up for informed rugby club on the planet with two newsletters training to prepare for the game. and top notch web site YET ANOTHER RUGBY DINNER RANGSIT UNI TACKLED BANGERS The recent rugby dinner at the J W Marriot, was a great The score was irrelevant. The recent run around with the night to wallow in nostalgia. The welsh stars from yes- Rangsit rugby lads exposed gaps in the Banger game. ter year Steve Fenwick,, Mike Watkins and Gareth Davis The young Thais played their hearts out and on a number entertained the punter with stories from the great days occasions brought their bigger opponents to grounding of Welsh rugby. Superb food, acceptable wine and good halt. At end of the day size and experience did matter company put a gloss on a fun evening. All profits from with the Bangers won unconvincingly. A useful hit out the night went to Father Jo for his underprivileged Thai before the match against the Southerners. The post game children foundation in Klong Toey celebrations with the students at the Red & White ended Old Bangkok Bangers Rugby Club Are Proudly Sponsored By 5 - BANGER BANTER OCT - DEC 2008 THE MOTS du CAPTIANE ca y est les vacances sont finies h oui, depuis un moi déjà nous nous retrouvons de nouveau tous les dimanches a Patana, pour se dé- fouler et boire quelques bières bien méritées.