With our rugby season in a state of mild disarray, a friendly game against Shirley Colts was arranged after the Assassins withdrew and lost by default because, I don't know, they all went home to mummy and daddy because they had a week off? Anyways, instead of the U19 helping out, we had 4 excellent examples of CBHS 2nd XV showing us that the future of rugby is in good hands. Thanks very much to Ben, Cody, Corban and Gus. We'll have you back any day.

Jack made his return game something awkward. He's already a New Boy but went overseas and became a New Boy all over again. More New Boy beers for us i guess is the result. Oh, he played OK too. But just because he scored doesn't mean he can start slacking off for the rest of the season.
Keeping it celtic, Muzz scored twice to keep us closer to Shirley than if he didn't score which was nice of him. Cam only managed 1 conversion out of three attempts, which was better than the zero conversions from 9 attempts Shirley had. Someone needs a bit of practice.

Even though it was a friendly game, we didn't slacken our efforts by too much. Our experience counted where it mattered, but their speed and agility saw them through the gaps. 19 year olds can do that against 40 year olds. Darwinism. Notwithstanding the result at the end, highlights were Tam and Kev being excellent, with Dirk also being excellent at 10 minutes in the bin.
Flannel and Nic and Cam let themselves express their rugbyness all over the place. Nic also expressed himself behind the posts for 10 too. Balance.

Was good to see Scooba return and Sonny Phil as well. And not just to bulk up the numbers either.

Hopefully next week we can return to normal scheduling and have a competition game for once.

Our old way of thinking started to rear it's slightly ugly head at the start of the game. A bit of a panic about numbers started to creep in and concern, bordering on paranoia about Burnside Div3 players running out for the Blackadders. These are minor distractions that can be put aside until the after match beersies and training next week. I do put my hand up for making the coach aware of the situation, but we calmed down soon enough to focus on the matters at hand. Such as not giving up the Challenge Shield.
As I said to Chief after the game, if we start to focus on individual players in individual positions, then we lose sight of the fact that we're a team with depth and cunning and guile and the ability to fill any position with any player. Maybe not as well as some players are typically in some positions, but fill them we can and will.

Tam had a blinder of a game for his 50th club appearance and a well deserved MVP. Even taking over from Chief as lineout chucker in person didn't prove problematic. Chief however, had problems of the "Burnside at Burnside Curse" variety. The last three games against Burnside at Burnside Park he's done his calf. We may need to call in an exorcist.

Dene was Dene, but Dirk was Dirk on steroids. I am so disappointed that Muncher was not there to see him score. It was lovely to behold. But then, it was also nice to not have Muncher there lumbering about awkwardly getting in everyone's way. So it all evens out. Alex seems to have managed the transition from front row to Number 8 without problems and his efforts on the field are inspiring if you feel yourself flagging in energy. His efforts off the field are also valuable and good for the team.

Lopeti is playing in typical New Boy style, eager to claim an award at the end of the season, but he does have competition from both New Boy forwards and New Boy backs. Rowdy surely at this early stage must be up in contention for an award, as are probably Gus and Alex and maybe Jack. Or maybe not. Hard to play rugby when you're out of the country.
Speaking of, it was Toms last game for the year as he returns to the United Kingdom for an extended time. So naturally he celebrated with some high tackles and a bit of argy bargy costing him 10 in the bin. Nothing unusual there. As mentioned, Jack has gone for a few weeks, with Muzz also disappearing to be with family overseas. Not the best of excuses, but the one he's going with. All will be back for next season, or so they say.

Injuries are a wee bit of a worry, with a couple who've just gotten over a twinge, giving it an extra too hard of a push making recovery even longer. With no game next week due to Queen's Birthday Most hopefully should recover in time to play against Suburbs. If not, we'll work it out. We always do.

There's a few milestones still to come this season. 250, 200 and 100 games are, baring serious impediments, going to be achievements worthy of remembrance to follow on from Muncher and Kev's 100 and Tam's 50. Looking forward to the piss up. If the prision bar staff allow it, that is.

Training this Wednesday as usual.

There was talk, as there always is about a new team, right from the start of the season about what sort of game we'd have against the Heroes. There were theories from the less enlightened that took their cue from their grandparents generation of how rugby should be played to theories that normal regular people have about rugby and sport and life in general. All of them postulated that we'd absolutely demolish the Heroes on the scoreboard, and no one was wrong on that. However, don't let the final score fool you. They are good opponents with a lot to learn, but they never held back in their tackles or attacking runs.
Exactly what you'd expect to see from rugby players eager to learn and grow.

Kevin trotted out for his 100th Keith appearance in the same manner he trotted out for his 1st. Never one for the limelight, but always noticeable on the field. All for good reason. Powerful crashing runs with ball in hand and a shock of flowing luxuriant golden hair. Although golden is now greying. Congratulations Kev on the milestone.
Helping celebrate were Toad and Poacher and Leyts whose skills still are with them even in their advancing years. Trout came prepared to play but only if someone gave him a pair of boots which he conveniently didn't bring himself. To his great chagrin, a pair was produced, but he never managed to get on the field being even older than I am.

Speaking of getting on the field, the Heroes only managed to bring 14 to the game, due to a high level of injuries, so we kindly lent them Colin who had driven down from Nelson to play with Kev, not against him, then Sonny Phil, Flannel and Mossie also pulled on the rainbow jersey and showed them what's all about, albeit, out of position. Kudos to them for helping out the opposition and here's hoping it's not a regular occurrence.

One part of the game that didn't sit well with us was the golden oldies scrums. Our front row didn't eat all those pies for nothing, so it was a bit disappointing to not see our scrummaging fully in action. But safety first I guess.

I should probably talk about the elephant in the room. Thomas "something shiney distracted me" CLARKE and Nick "my kids aren't watching me so it doesn't matter" PERCY both coughed the easiest of tries. All they had to do was fall forward and hit the ground but somethings are more difficult than at first glance. I wont mention at all how Kev coughed the easiest of right out in front conversions as that would take some of the gloss off his centenary achievement. But here's a photo of his attempt.

Not everyone scored today, but 16 tries is still a lot. Rowdy getting 3 with Perce and Tom almost getting a 3rd each was good to watch. Alex got 2 with a shit ton of other boys lining up for points. It's good to score but better to share.

After the match in the packed clubrooms we chatted and mingled laughed casually about rugby things with our opposition who it seemed, appreciated it. But in all honesty, it was not more than what we do for any team who comes back to share in a beer or two with us.

Looking forward to the re-match next round.