Keith vs Marist-Albion
Ground: Middleton 1
Time: 2-45pm

Team List


Forwards
Darren MOKE
Greg BROWN
Ian COWAN
Hayden ROBINSON
George PHILIP
Colin GRAVETT
Hayden SMITH
Kevin WILLIAMS

Backs
Kelly HOANI
Nick BROWN
Paul CRICHTON
Rob FOLEY
John LUXTON
Brendyn LAWSON
Leyton HUNT

Reserves
Peter HADDOCK
Kristen CURRIE
Phil KEARNS
Richard BRACEY
Scott THOMPSON
Jamin PIPER
Matt YATES
Jon BAIRD
Adam JOHNSTON
Blair MacINTOSH


Points: 5-0, 5-5, 5-10, 5-12, 10-12, 10-17, 10-22, 15-22

Tries: Hayden SMITH (2), Colin GRAVETT
Conv:
Pen:

Player of the Day: Rob FOLEY

Photographs here: http://207.191.227.90/~keithpic/2010/20100821/


EVERYONE GOT THEIR RABIES SHOT? GOOD. LET'S PLAY SOME FOOTYFUCKGETTHATDOGOFFMYTHROAT!! FUCK!!

We all knew something dodgy would happen when we got to Middleton Park. The ground conditions, of course, were to be expected; unkempt and as boggy and congealed as three day old porridge. The trip through miles of back alleyways to get to an old shed to change in didn't bode well for our personal safety, as Bravo found out later when violence was threatened against his person by the 'owner' of the dog that mauled his face earlier. And I thought my side of town was the dodgy side.

The game itself was played in reasonably good spirits, probably because everyone, including the sideline, needed to concentrate all their energy on staying upright in the mud and not getting sucked down into the mire never to be seen again. Personally, it wasn't the worst ground conditions I've seen, but

for a final, something a bit firmer could have been found.
Marist's rather strange looking backline, or should I say ring in backline, made it difficult to read as in previous games, but we did our best.

Our best was also required in the forwards, especially in the lineouts. But, sometimes we slipped and made it even harder on ourselves. Not that it was all doom and gloom, far from it. We gave fierce opposition when needed and fierce attack when opportunites exposed themselves. The fact that we were only one try away from victory for most of the match showed how close both teams were, which is what it should be in a final.

It was a shame a couple of players integral to the team getting to the final weren't able to be there, and also a shame that also a couple of players who've given a lot during the season didn't manage to get on the field and equally shameful that one of our most longstanding and consistant players was brutally savaged by a Marist supporters dog.

Special mentions must of course be made, but first a big thank you to every Keith who turned up, particularly those who turned up at the beginning of the season when our numbers were very very low and stayed turning up. Without you there wouldn't have been a season at all. And our Guest Players who filled the ranks when needed, former Keith players and Colts and Division Three guys who still had the energy to play a second 80 minutes. Thanks.
As I said, special mentions and thanks go to Trout and Lars for their coaching and team selections. A difficult job and one often under valued by those who've never done it. To Phil, as manager. Thanks for the 'extras' you were able to provide us to go along with the usual managerial things that you did. A big effort considering your other responibilities as Club Captain.
New Boys. Where would we be without them. We'd have gone the same way as the Saxons and the Craniums many years ago. Colin, Tom, George, Bertie, Jon, Nick, Richard, Kelly, Adam & Jaye well done and congratulations for fitting in so well and so easily.
Thanks to Toad and Phil for turning up to every game with boots on and gear ready. Thanks to Hayden for stepping up and leading by example. Boner, Maria and the kids turned up most weekends as did Doug, but Yvonne was the star supporter, again, as usual, perpetually. Cheers Mum. You're a star.

So the season is over after 20 games, but it doesn't end there. There's the Annual Keith Sportsman of the Year Awards and Dinner to come, Club Prizegiving and hopefully, Kokatahi. We'll see you then.