Keith vs Belfast M (Final)
Ground: Sheldon Park 1
Time: 2-45pm

Team List
Forwards
Darren MOKE
Isaac ARAPAI
Phil KEARNS
Kevin WILLIAMS
Callum BOWMAN
Colin GRAVETT
Freddy BROADMORE
Barrie GIBBS

Backs
Bevan WEBB
Brian GRIFFITHS
Brendyn LAWSON
Rob FOLEY
John LUXTON
Paul KENNEDY
Richard POWER

Reserves
Mark Van GROENEDAAL
Ian COWAN
Karl HADDOCK
Bruce HALLINAN
Stuart HERRIOTT
Liam KELLY
Lachie McPHAIL
Brett McNEILL
Paul CRICHTON
Gary RICHARDS
Adam JOHNSTON
Blake BUCHAN

Points: 3-0, 8-0, 10-0, 13-0, 13-5, 13-7, 13-10, 13-15, 13-20, 13-22, 13-25

Tries: Freddy BROADMORE
Conv: Brian GRIFFITHS
Pen: Brian GRIFFITHS (2)





Player of the Day: Colin GRAVETT
Most Valuable Player: Darren MOKE & Brian GRIFFITHS

Photographs here: http://gallery.keith.org.nz/2013/20130817/
Videos here: http://videos.keith.org.nz/2013/20130817.html



SO LONG, FAREWELL, AUF WIEDERSEHEN, ADIEU ADIEU ADIEU TO YOU AND YOU AND YOU



In this, my last post for Keith Rugby, I had hoped to congratulate everyone for the win and the holding of the Classics Trophy. Unfortunately, I can only congratulate you all for a season well played and well fought. But that's often the nature of finals football.

The desperately muddy and slippery conditions proved early on that Sheldon Park is in fact a shit hole to play on, but that's simply an excuse we like to bandy about. We started with a hiss and a roar, but finished with a fart and a whimper. And you can't win finals footy by not playing to the conditions, and we couldn't quite master the mud as well as Belfast.

I wouldn't want to be a coach for love nor money, as team selection has as many options, and as many opinions as there are players, and for me, I would have made different choices at different times, but the 38 other Keiths who were there would have had 38 different configurations, so thank God Trouty made the calls. He's inspired us and kept us together as a squad and provided us with a team every week and I thank him on everyone's behalf.

Others who also need thanks are of course Lars as back coach and clothing co-ordinator, Phil as manager who I can tell you from experience, has done more than you all know. Uli and Kearnsy and Andy and Toad who have helped with training and coaching also need our thanks.

New Boys this, as they do every year, made their mark. Obvious to all were the Irish Mafia of Richard, Liam, Damien and Paul; but also stamping their mark on Keith were Bruce & Frankie who defected from Linwood, Brian, Paul Dagan, Brett & Nick and the fiesty trio of Lachie, Blake and Andy. Hopefully none of them got scared off.
We need them because of some big changes next season. Lars, Uli, Phil, Lumber and myself will no longer be in the squad which will be a huge loss and a difficult job to replace them.
Yvonne, also, is leaving us. She's been as integral to the team as any coach or player and she will be missed very very much.

The nights entertainment was provided by Speight's Beer who gave us singing, dancing, boat races, possum sculls (mostly wastage) and general all round good times. Even mum got her tits out, but it turns out they were fake after all.

There'll be touch rugby still to come which Freddy and Phil will deal with, and plenty of occasions to get together until next season.

I wish you all well, and I'll take my leave of you.