The date is February 1st 2014 and one of the most famous rugby tournaments in the world is about to get underway.
The famous rugby league challenge cup sits upon its freshly erected plinth as the teams file out of the changing rooms, but this isn't a club such as Leeds, Hull, or Wigan in rugby league's northern heartlands, this is Chiswick on the banks of the River Thames in London.
The hosts are South West London Chargers and the visitors Torfaen Tigers in a first round tie that pitches the best amateur side in London against the best amateur side in Wales. There is barely a Northern accent to be heard during the warmups as shouts of "oh butt" and "yes Dai" from the Welsh camp intertwine with the more exotic Australian accents from many of the London Players.
Such is the importance of the tie to the RFL as they seek to expand "The greatest game on earth" to all parts of the UK, that as well as the famous old trophy they have also sent a Media Team to cover the match. The Media guys are very friendly and open as I spend much of the buildup to the match chatting with them and Chargers Chairman Cameron Paul.
The cameraman's car is full of all kinds of goodies that catch the eye of Cameron and myself as we revel in the buzz of the big day, and while the expensive camera equipment is very impressive, it's the two Official Tetley's Challenge Cup branded match balls that we are both instantly drawn to! I'm sure at a higher level of the game few people would bat an eyelid at something so basic and simple as a ball, but for us they are something special, they make us feel part of something bigger and symbolise that we have stepped up a level from our regular "any ball will do" matches. The Media guys see our excitement and the their credit agree to look the other way at the end of the match so we could each keep one as a precious souvenir.
A buzz is in the air as the kick-off approaches, the fans have filed past the famous old trophy and their Camera Phones have been passed around as they each seek to be the envy of friends and family with a new Facebook profile picture.
Now it's down to business. I set myself up behind the posts that Torfaen are attacking and much like an Emperor at a Roman Colosseum I sit back to observe and cast a critical over the battle played out before me, knowing full well I myself would be struck down in the opening moments of such a brutal conflict.
I see little of my 13 Champions in the first half as they bravely stage a backs-to-the-wall defensive effort on their own line for what feels like forever. I contemplate moving camp to the other end of the field, but the prospect of missing a possible length-of-the-field breakaway try by my favourite player Tylon Mafi causes me to stay put and hope for the best.
For all the London side's pressure in the first half, the one thing that shines though is that neither team has played for five months and rustiness is all too evident in basic handling errors from both sides. The Tigers' defensive effort meant they were just 4-0 down and could push on for the win if they could get some good play going in the second half.
Alas the second half went much the way of the first and it was safe to say that this my 213th match would not be a classic. The Chargers scored a converted try and penalty edging the score to 12-0 before the Tigers walked in a simple try in the final minute, by which time the result was decided and the Chargers celebrated knowing the conversion would be the last kick of the game and they were safely in the hat for round two.
Ultimately this was a great occasion for the sport in non-heartland areas if not a great game. The Chargers progress to the next round with my best wishes, while the Tigers are left to reflect on what might have been.
The Tigers will be attempting to qualify for next year's competition by defending their Welsh Premier Title in a highly competitive league this summer starting with the annual Scott McRorie 9s on May 11th. Check in with www.WalesRugbyLeague.co.uk for all the latest information.
Paul Hart has been a Photographer and Media Officer at the grass roots of Welsh Rugby League for six years. Over 300 of his best photographs are featured in his excellent hardback book "The Heart and The Art of my Rugby Photography" which is available for just £10 at www.PaulHartPhotography.co.uk as well as via Amazon and eBay plus at Celtic Cameras in Bridgend Market.
Published in the March 2014 Edition of the Official South Wales Rugby League Magazine.
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