Surprisingly, we had a ref who was doing everything he could do help us win. Not that we you know, did win; but it was the thought that counted.

Some of the boys had trouble reading A) directions B) street signs C) a map to get to a park we'd never played at before. But then again, most of the Keiths have trouble reading a clock so I wasn't overly surprised.
I was surprised, however, by the condition of the park. As Sheldon is usually still a quagmire a month after a light shower, Englefield was a firm clean and delightful field to play on. He's hoping we can use it again.

This was, of course, a must win for us if we were to advance into the final, but with Belfast's track record this year of zero losses we knew we had a struggle to get to our goal. We did not though lose heart because of the statistical disadvantage we were under but played tough upfront rugby which sent Chief off the field early and one of theirs off in an ambulance.

Ross lead us out in his 50th Keith appearance which no doubt spurred the rest of the skitteries on. He played his usual tactical and running game, never afraid to get into the middle of things, which the Michael Collins Trio of Georgie, Shane and Mossie tried,
but could not beat. They were in to it all, but have a lot to learn from the Flying Scotsman.
Talking of whiskey drinkers, Murray played his last bearded game also with his usual modus operandi of getting stuck in, and Cal donned the boots to prove his shoulder isn't a broken as he wants Fiona to believe. I think it's a ruse to get her to take out the rubbish bins every week instead of him.

With the influx of Tongans into the loose forwards, Kev and Andy are to be seen more and more cuddling up close to Dirk, which hitherto had only been seen during Kokatahi trips. But they seem to be coping ok in the locks which is giving us great choice for 6,7 & 8.

Overall, a good but not great performance against Belfast. Overall, a good but not great referee. Overall, a good but not great time playing against guests of Her Majesty.

Choices for positions in the past few weeks have been going to those who turned up to training and to the games and we've been spoilt for that choice. Huge numbers of reserves even when players were away on holiday and up watching the Lions cheat their way to a win in the second test. Today, however, was a different story.
15 men starting (many out of position or injured) and 5 reserves to call upon. Luckily only Isaac seriously injured his non wanking hand, but others played through all the usual end of season niggles and aches and pains.
Before the game started we'd heard the sad news from Dunedin about Lars and an emotional but determined Chief gave us the option of playing as team or not playing at all.
We played as we have always played, as a strong team during difficult times.

And no one played stronger than Laina. "Get out of my way. I need to be where your puny body is standing" was his mantra and boy did it work. Thrice he crossed/fell over the line due to determination and a few Keiths up his arse supporting his forward drives.
Unbelievably, Dirk became inspired and also scored in similar fashion, albeit with less strength but with more guile. 2 tries in 137 games. Who would have guessed?

Jones, Steven, Mr reached his peak Keithliness by telling Chief he couldn't play this weekend but after being told by Chief he was mistaken and was playing this weekend for a full 80 minutes, he did so without too many lineout errors to bring up his 50 Keith games. So that was nice.

Tommy, in the backline, played like he used to play; which is to say, with better focus and intensity than otherwise of late. And he was probably the stand out back today. Toad gave all his considerable body could, with Ross and Muzz proving they will always be starting lineup material.

The scoreline gives an accurate representation of the effort both teams put in to this match and it was only towards the end that Suburbs started to lose their grip on discipline, to our advantage. And how good was the ref? best we have ever had in a very very long time.

Thanks to the Ref and to Suburbs for gracing us with a minutes silence before the game.

Back at the clubrooms we were of course jubilant, but subdued and those that were there, especially Ross, enjoyed watching the Test.

I've always been proud of this team, even when Dirk is my Lawyer, but I was very proud to be a Keith today.

And that's what a team under pressure does. Wins with style (except for Webby), wins with grace (except for Webby), and wins without players we thought we couldn't do without (except for Jones). Last week Christchurch defaulted to Linwood because they had guys up in Auckland for the Lions test. This week we had guys up in Wellington for the Lions test. But we hardened up and stuck it out showing just what sort of resilience we have. Plus, Webby brought half the freezing works with him.

We jigged the forwards about in different positions but with no untoward results, but a lot of New Boys in the back line made running calls difficult so the plan became simple. Kick, pass and run your way through an opposition like they were a team which we kicked, passed and ran through regularly. Class players will always adapt to an unusual situation and we adapted well.

Webby wanted to prove his alpha dominance at the works so in front of all his boys he scored first, albeit on the back of some excellent running play from others before hand. After that display, Trent nipped through a gap and ran 99 metres down the sideline unopposed to score on debut. Webby, in lieu of anyone who could kick (even Cal) missed the conversions by a huge margin ending the half 10-0 up.
That doesn't mean we had it all over Christchurch. They pressured us in the scums and our lineouts weren't always straight down the middle and the referee was a typical Classics referee. Good and bad play from both teams was the norm with a slight penalty count in Christchurch's favour. They, however, could not capitalise on any advantage they were given.

Chief gave a good half time speech, and after the second half started Christchurch scored. Make of that what you will.
Ross then became more Ross like and scored of which through a fluke of the wind Webby's conversion attempt went over. Pressure, constant pressure became our watchword from then on with Paunga scoring from good solid forward play.
Ross then sought medical help via nicotine intake to sooth his injured arm, but he was generally the only casualty of the day.

It's become clear at this sharp end of the competition that team work under arduous circumstances bring us results and bring us together more and more. Hopefully teamwork like the last few weeks can bring us glory when it counts.

Two hard games left in the competition round so let's all be Keithly and do your bit.