Match Reports are written immediately after the game and are a representaion of what happened on and off the field. Other information such as players, reserves, points and scorers are also included along with previous game reports from matches against that team with photographs and videos if available.
Trouty's Back!! Trouty's Back!! Trouty's Back!! I'm not saying that had anything to do with the score or anything. Truely.
While Trouty was indeed back, what was more obvious was who wasn't there. 21 Keiths turned up today to play (though only 20 got on the field). 20 Keiths decided to stay away. "But I was away Duck Shooting!" Yes, we know and that's OK. These things happen. "But I am injured!" As were 6 of your fellow Keiths who played and suffered further injuries instead of laying down on the couch eating chocolate fish and watching Michael Bey DVD's. Being injured doesn't mean you stop being supportive of your fellow players and team mates. Some of you understand this already, but a lot, it seems, do not. And it made Trouty mad. Even Mum got a bit upset.
Nevertheless, those who were there played their hearts out. Some played their hips out, others the fingers and ankles. Unfortunately Andy broke his finger and Gaz pretended to break his in sympathy. Phil reinjured his hip and Kev had a not quite up to par ankle. A.J. gave his ankle a whirl and came away unscathed. Uli did something Uli-ish playing at number 6 and came off to give refereeing advice.
Webby mentioned to me that I usually write a load of crap, but we both agreed that when I name players for good work, it's because it's deserved. So in that vein, I name Dagan, Liam, Paddy, Seamus, Webby, Mark and Brett who today I thought played exceptionally well. New Boy Nick also will prove a valuable asset.
Trouty will be demanding all Keiths attend training on Thursday, injured or not. And i recommend you follow his instructions.
Depending on which ground you go to, the earthquakes can still seem quite real. Sydenham Park is one of those grounds. The remains of the Church still piled high across the street; the staring, vacant sections along Colombo St bring it home that rugby is still very much a release from the stresses of life in this city.
The Saracens, who appear to have gotten younger since last season and also appear to have discovered the use of Grecian 2000, put up a good effort but quite honestly, only just beat us to the finish because of our own errors and dearth of back up for the ball carrier. Much like last week. And that will need some work.
Chief celebrated his 200th game with a full blown 80 minutes and his usual full blown effort. But once again, others pushed themselves to their limit. Col and Baz proved they were real hard men and the New Boys and not so New Boys gave us Old Coves reason not to despair about the future. I do, however, despair for my own mental health. I feel like writing all this shit is no longer the joy it used to be and lots of other shit is making me doubt myself in all aspects of my life.
Brian and Brett put the boots on. Dagan and Andrew put their jumping shorts on. And lots of other people did lots of other stuff blah blah blaah wank.
After an early morning downpour, steady but not heavy rain made conditions slippery but not impossible to play with. What gave us concern, however, was the numbers and the key positions missing key players. Particularly front row and locks. But with judicious and inventive substitutions, we managed to complete the game.
Not that Christchurch were interested in playing fair or by the rules as several of our players can attest (Brian, Uli, Psycho, Brett and others). High tackles, stomping and attempted face gouging seemed to be their preferred method of stopping our advances.
Even off the field threats of violence against non-players seemed to be their modus operandi to get what they wanted. They got their final whistle score they wanted, but not everything went their way.
Toad got inspired by last weeks ambulance coming over, so he decided to dislocate his shoulder and hitch a ride via ambo to the shoulder undislocation clinic.
I just want to make special mention of New Boys Andrew who's playing his guts out, Brian and Brett who are reading the game from the back with skill but so far, one Keith is standing out, for me at least, and that's Paddy. I'm not sure what happened, but that recent return trip to Ireland seems to have done wonders for his rugby.
I've known these two particular Keiths for many years, one of them 2 decades, and still they panic about numbers ten minutes before anyone's supposed to be at the sheds. But that tells me that they still care and still want the best team on the field every week. But I do suspect the Uli and Toad will welcome Troutys return from the United States.
Low numbers meant we had a shortage of front rower and locks, but luckily, Div 2 lent us their Chilean import, Phillippe who deservedly won the MVP. He was everywhere, man. Goober, who wasn't slated to play, shocked his hand again, while Kevs ankle showed him it still wasn't ready. Sonny Phils hip gave him trouble (from last week) but thankfully, Psycho's cuts and bruises did not prevent him from playing in the front row.
Returning to the fold of the forward pack was Freddy and H who looked older, but played wiser.
The backs had moments, but mostly faltered due to lack of support. The forwards too had very little second phase help, but that seemed to not be so serious a problem in the second half.
Having New Boy tactical and place kickers in the team has given us an option that we were not able to fully utilise last year and it's taken the pressure off our part time kickers.
What made things easier on both sides, and made them able to sustain the effort being put into the game, was a referee who knew what he was doing and could control the play well. So the low score does not necessarily reflect a badly run game, but reflects the strong and determined attack and defence of both teams.
Unluckily, Suburbs suffered a horrendous loss of one of their layers via ambulance right when they were putting pressure on our line.
Unusually, some Old Coves came out to watch; Chops, Crack, Soak and as usual, Boner, although it turned out they were watching Blind Man's team play further on down the fields.
Countries from where Keith Members have come from.
KEITH INCORPORATED
Incorporated [1499581] 29th March 2004 Secretary - John McKEAGE
Affiliated with Christchurch High School Old Boys' RFC (Incorporated [219862] 19th October 1960) Secretary - Geoff FALLOON
CLUBROOMS & PLAYING FIELDS
The H.S.O.B. RFC Clubrooms are located at 10 Riccarton Avenue with changing rooms at 5 Ayr Street. Playing and Training Fields at Bob Deans Fields, North Hagley Park and Training Fields at South Hagley Park
TEAM OFFICIALS
Head / Forward Coach - Phil KEARNS Back Coache - Cal DALL
Manager - Peter HADDOCK Keith At Large - Steve JONES Financial Controller - Kristen CURRIE Clothing Officer - Damien BREEN
TEAM OFFICIALS
Social Media Officer - John McKEAGE
2018 Anniversary - Peter HADDOCK
Committee - Isaac ARAPAI, Damien BREEN, Kristen CURRIE, Cal DALL, Peter HADDOCK, Bruce HALLINAN, Steve JONES, Phil KEARNS, John McKEAGE, Bevan WEBB, Kevin WILLIAMS
Bob Deans Fields
