Four years on from the last leap year and the Baltic Exchange Rugby Team's last fixture, much has changed on the political, shipping, and global landscapes. However, what hasn’t changed is the enthusiasm and appetite of those involved in the shipping industry to lace up the old boots and toss around a rugby ball. A collective squad of 25 individuals from the maritime industry descended on the grounds of the Honourable Artillery Club (HAC) in late February for a game against the HAC Occasionals.

Click here to see the full gallery of photos and videos from the fixture.

Having not trained, and with the majority of the team having not met before, there was a sense of nervous anticipation as the team bundled into a changing room the size of a shoebox. After exchanging pleasantries and shirt presentations, the team ventured out onto the hallowed turf of the HAC. The warm-up touch rugby game beforehand was electric; it was clear to see that there was some serious talent within the Baltic ranks.

After some poetic words of encouragement from the Baltic Captain, Oliver Hale (AXS), the team was ready. Kick-off was quickly followed by a knock-on, but unbeknownst to the opposition, this was all part of the plan. A front row mixed with youth, experience, and Chilean flair saw Will Biles (Clarksons), David Lawrence (Pacific Basin), and Phil Bucknal (Lloyds Register) pack down. This, coupled with some serious ballast in the second row from Simon Allan-Clarke, AKA Chunk (Oil Brokerage), and Charlie Witcome (Lloyds List), saw the Baltic take one against the head, setting the marker for the rest of the game.

The first quarter of the game resembled a heavyweight boxing match, with both jabbed sides testing each other out but cracks within the HAC defence started to show. The Baltic's scrum halves, somehow managing to feature in the first 10 minutes due to some wardrobe malfunctions, started testing the gaps around the ruck area. There are not many more dominant sporting brothers than the Barber brothers of Thurleston (Jon, Harry, and Will Barber). Jon, the quarterback pulling the strings from fly-half, putting away his speedster brothers Jon and Harry out on the wing. Alas, our first try had nothing to do with the Barber brothers but some great interplay between Andrew Evans (Clarksons) and our Captain Ollie Hale (AXS), allowing Ollie to trundle into the corner, securing the first try for the Baltic Exchange that was then expertly converted by Jon Barber (Thurlestone).

The HAC was quick to respond, going over in the corner despite some heroic defence from our number 8, Andrew Cornish (AXS). The conversion drifted wide, and the scores stood at 7-5 at the first water break. With the water break came a bench emptying and essentially a new team deploying in the second quarter with only two players from the backs remaining, Rob Chapman (OMV) and Ben Crowder (Oil Brokerage).

A leap year, when viewed through the lens of lunar activities, presents an interesting interplay between the solar and lunar calendars. With Rob being the solar and Ben the lunar, these calendars were certainly in sync, leading to the Baltic's second try. With Ben Goggin (FFA Consultant) adding his 50 plus years of experience into the pack, the scrum remained solid, allowing good set-piece ball for Ben Crowder (Oil Brokerage) to take the ball to the line. With the forwards running all sorts of lines, often not drawing any attention or deception to the opposition defence, somehow the HAC defence parted like the Red Sea for Rob Chapman (OMV) to dive into the corner. With the try successfully converted, confidence within the Baltic camp was rising.

Halftime came at just the wrong time for the Baltic Exchange in terms of momentum but perfectly for those looking to catch their breath. More changes at halftime saw the addition of George Bath, Ryan Groves, and Sam Roberts, all from E.A Gibsons. All three played in the centres but all three ended up in the back row. Despite this shakeup, not a single tackle was missed in the opening 15 seconds of the second half. Baltic Exchange Rugby Club President Ed Scott-Bowden (E.A Gibsons) was so proud of his colleagues he decided to put himself on. He promptly cut his lip open from trying to catch a ball and took himself off again.

The second half was one for the purists of rugby community, those who love the darker arts of the game. Scrums were usually followed by scrums, and tactical kicking from both sides allowed Hugo Rogers (Lloyds List) to really start to pressure the opposition lineout. With the HAC pressing on the Baltic's line, the defence shown in the last 15 minutes was heroic. Calum Healy (Fulmar) put his body on the line, causing a turnover allowing for an opportunistic breakaway from Andrew Evans (Clarksons). With the line in front of him and the opportunity for Andrew Evans (Clarksons) to secure the victory for the Baltic he well full bore towards the line. The wind however was knocked out of Andrew's sails as the full force of the missed tackle from the opposition full back startled him so much that sadly the ball was knocked on. All was not lost as the knock-on led to a scrum, and with the starting team back on the pitch, the Baltic knew they could make amends for the knock-on. A scrum penalty was awarded. In the spirit of a friendly game, Olle Hale (AXS) decided to kick the three points rather than going for the try.

The final score was 17-12 to the Baltic Exchange, with all 25 players playing, many for the first time in a long time. The game was genuinely played in the best of spirits, and it was a pleasure to be a part of. Our deepest thanks to our wonderful opposition from the HAC who not only put on a great game but also hosted us in the Officers Mess after the game. My thanks to all those from the Baltic team that made the effort to play, and I look forward to our next fixture.

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If you’d like to be a part of the Baltic Exchange Rugby Society, please email Ed at Ed.Scott-Bowden@eagibson.co.uk or contact him on 07708296783. You can also find out more about the club on its official page here.