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Dead
Ants vs OBU Yardies
Saturday
19 July
Result:
Dead Ants WON 8-5
Conditions:
VERY Heavy
Another very muddy game, with the
difference from last week being that the mud didn’t carry the same
stench as Ian Galloway Park.
Players from the two teams were pretty
much indistinguishable after about ten minutes, which had the smartarses on
the sidelines yelling ‘scrum to brown ref’ whenever he blew the
whistle.
While it doesn’t taste too good,
the muddy conditions seem to be suiting the Ants well, perhaps slowing the
game down to the sort of pace that we are comfortable with – removing
any sort of pace or dexterity from the required skill set and making tackling
almost a pleasure.
Against a Yardies outfit of roughly
similar size – except maybe a few fatties up front – the Ants
forwards dominated the first half in both possession and territory.
Some very sensible 10 (or maybe 11) man rugby kept the Yardies pinned down,
often in their own 22 and the Ants were unlucky to finish the half with only
3 points to show for their dominance, with Paddy shaving the upright on a
couple of other attempts and some close but no cigar moments from the boot of
Pedro (Quinny, give up smoking), though it looked like 5 pointers were gong
to be hard to come by.
In the third quarter the roles were
reversed, with the Yardies holding on to the ball for long periods and
putting the Ants under a lot of pressure. Playing into a steady breeze,
the Ants defended strongly for 20 minutes as the Yardies battered away at the
line. The Ant forwards smashed runner after runner, leaving many
Yardies dazed on the ground and often dislodging the very slippery pill. But
the referee usually took the play back to a penalty for an earlier
infringement, usually by our heroic captain Jared. Like all good
loosies, he plays right on the edge of the laws, or something like that.
Jared did such a good job of killing and slowing the Yardies ball that he was
almost POD (only denied because he’s always POD) and many on both sides
were amazed he managed to avoid the referee’s cards. (Asked in the
changing room afterwards, the ref admitted that had he sent Jared off, one of
us other slack jawed morons would have to take over the captaincy and he
would rather deal with Jared.)
As the Ants defensive effort took its
toll, the Yardies finally broke through, spotting that the Ants were short of
numbers on a big blind side. The Yardies celebrated their try
(unconverted) like they had won the world cup, seemingly convinced that 5
points was going to be enough. The Ants did not panic, knowing that the
remaining 20 minutes was more than enough time to strike back.
Back on the attack, the Ants worked away
at the Yardies defence, working their way up the sideline, with a series of
smart kick and chases from the base and Pads at 10. (Notwithstanding the box
kick from Pedro that actually drifted about 10 meters toward our own line and
earned the little big man the DOD award).
With clean ball to Paddy on the Yardies
22, he opted for an astute grubber in behind the constantly-offside Yardies
midfield. Despite having a chaser taken out the Ants re-gathered and from the
ruck, quickly spread the ball through 4 or 5 sets of hands to exploit an
overlap and put Rob W over in the corner.
Having previously considering the game
won the fight went out of the Yardies. The Ants kept them pinned in
their half for the remainder of the game and victory was ours.
Another good whole team effort, with good
commitment shown by all, especially the pack, who didn’t take a
backward step all game.
Player
of the Day: (Gus)
Dick
of the Day: Pedro (A bit harsh as he was the only one who made an
error that was memorable, otherwise awesome game)
Dead Ants vs J-Ville
Cripples
Saturday 12 July
Result: WIN ! 15 - 5
vs. J-Ville Cripple (half time 15-5)
Point Scorers: Steve Rodgers (1 Conversion & 1 Penalty),
Scott McManus (1 try), Mike Horn/Dan Coup – unsure sorry (1 Try)
Injuries: Chris McHoull#6 (ankle ligiments, possible dislocation), Mark
‘DM’ Sutherland#1 © (strained neck muscles), Peter
‘Crispie’ Chris#14 (jarred knee).
The ANT’s Players have been
playing through on a shocking losing ‘spell’ of 13-out of a 14
games. Not since Saturday 17th May had the team tastes victory
– this day tasted sweet with a fair portion of dank sour mud and washed
down later that evening at the Cambridge Hotel with Kurt
‘Ambrose’ Gross magic brew!
DM led the side out with words
spoken of ‘pride for the team jersey, not contacting Jared of another
loss, remembrance to Gavin with victory last on same field. The kick-off from
Chip was as he played for the entire 70-minutes ‘spot on’. Team
committed for a win in wet, boggy and later cold and bluster winter
conditions.
The tactic’s copied from
Teddy Bears the week before of rotating subs each 10-minute interval was one
way of ensure the intensity (both for the position and warmth) of play for
70-minutes. Also perfect introduction of new synthetic tops with 3kg less mud
to carry for 60 odd minutes hence our scrum pack was 25 kg lighter than the
J-ville smallest prop sill heavier than ours Matty – O! We were also up
in-the-line in defence, with first tackle at least setting the next ANT to
‘collect’ before the advantage line. On attack options of the
kick, pass or fend saw player of the day Gus and Beast (shared # 8 position)
have several line breaks from our 22 when supposably on defence, and off
loaded to a 80-yard runners in Dan, Mike or Scotty. Chris ‘Paddy’
Paterson
solid as usual at second five giving Chip and Mike great support in attack
and defence. Backs where involve through out with support in the
rucks…you could tell cos their heads always sticking out on oppositions
side (warmer?).
Our line-out is our strength at the
moment, near 9 from 10 on our take plus 50% spoil/take of oppositions –
great having 4-6 Locks in the squad and solid lifters. Tackling from loosies
– Lil Pete, McHoull, Beast, Gus and Will Biss payed amends from display
against the Bears – thank you, and Jared our faith is restored!
A real class act on show this
day..Chip Rodgers#10 display of control with passing and kicking and
double-footed jump up ‘onto’ type tackle..this is not the same
Chip of yester year, but a fitter, older and as skilled! Can’t
say too many more good things or my emails will be blocked around the
pacific/Australian region. Bloody great game Mate – Max was watching in
awe. He was just a little too cold in just his rugger kit only to show it
– CYPS reported.
Two bottles of nitrous oxide later,
Chris McHoull has damaged ankle ligament (possible dislocation) and tender
from news that this will his last game of 2008. Also DM (co-Captain) and was
fully recovered from bustle leg in 2006, has a neck injury after running in a
station butt cheek of the ‘Crips’ prop of a ruck! – fella
hope this will be on the mend and may get another game out of you as reward
for your tireless efforts on the paddock this year (most committed Player!).
We are down to a fit playing squad
of less than 20, from a season high 42. Appreciative to the sideline support
of Kurt, Tom Clark from those recovering – Burner and various family of
the new Players. Also old guard out….nice to see ‘Grant
‘Grunta’ Richardson (Manager 1994 – 1996) and Addie Boy to
‘lob’ a few compliments to Chip and Matty-O – oh to be born
in the 60’s to appreciate the jibes.
Days of old at ‘The
Bridge’, boat races, stacking jugs, few more drinking games, occasional
‘leer’ at the gals! Test rugby & league on the big screen,
few more drinking games…season back on track
Players-of-the-Day: Justin ‘Gus’ Adamsom#8 and Mike ‘Beast’
Lees#8
D-o-t-D: Dan Coup twice juggle ball before try line no-one near, then dropped
it over the line.
Dead
Ants vs. Teddy Bears
Saturday
05 July
Resultlost
5 -26 (half time 5 -26)
Scorer: Scott McMannus (1 try)
We are a varsity team, the
‘best-of-the-rest’ team of 21-years, so a bit of brain-power
would be fair to say in our team. We discussed the game plan – first 10
minutes, even the middle third. We talked of the tactics required on attack
and defence plus the option in covering positions (5 reserves). We’ll
‘fukc’ if we had a brain-drain at the very moment the ref put his
pouted lips around that harlequin tipped whistle!! …we dropped off
tackles around in the mid-field and kicked ball away (not even from restarts
the 10-metres). And with golden-oldie scrums, we took 30-mins before we
worked out how to effect a tackle given the Bear backline sat back in the
pocket and ran onto the ball at depth/pace. We lost in the first 25-minutes
…score then 26 - 5.
Commendable individual performances from
Rob Walker#14 & DM#1 with cross field cover tackling, Will Biss for a bit
of ‘mongrel’ aggression and verbal spite. Chris
‘Paddy’ Patterson#12 marking-up on a talented second five, and a
passing game to three-quarters. Mike Horn#13 ‘bullocking’
straight runs given has (tendinitis of the elbow) and not to play! Peter
‘Chrispie’ Chrisp#11 whom ‘bulked up’ by carrying the
water bottles for the first half..at 75kg (including bottles).
I was a spent man, after a morning of
‘logistics’ to ensure this game went ahead (third ground transfer
in 18-hours again). Game may not have meant as much to a few ole timers.
Acknowledge that Bears were more passionate to wing than we! 7 ANT rookies of
the 19 Playing squad. Matty O & I have only lost twice in 14-seasons to
the Teddy Bears. , Been a part of two RURU challenges and the ANTS won, RURU
shield defence and the ANTS won! So I’ll just have to get over it and
not spend another 4-years sulking – there our fellow college and
friends, what happens on paddock stays on the paddock….Matt Woolley
come collect your 5 jugs next Saturday at the Cambridge!. We’ll meet
gain soon, for our TEAM pride sake!
Player-of-the-Day: Rob Walker#14
Dick-of-the-Day: Ref for meek handling of the game. Debacle of allowing golden oldie
scrums, sending wrong guy off, and sore shoulder whenever a Bear infringed!
Dead Ants vs. Upper Hutt J8”s
Saturday 28 June
Result: 10 – 26 Loss (half time 14-10)
Points: Jared ‘Thompy’
Thompson#6 (1 try), Dan Coup (1 try)
Another determined effort from the
18 Players whom took the field. More than could be said from the WRFU whom changed
the grounds 3 times over 18-hr period though the final choice far superior to
the bog of Ian Galloway – Porirua Park No.3 (top field). With 19
Players informing me prior to being away, the balance were well-informed and
committed to a good length run of code.
We won the toss, we scored first
and within 10 minutes from a deft kick through by Burner, with a leg cutter
and full-back unable to gather, handing a relieved Captain - Jared his first
try for the year. – Unconverted. But then that ‘losing’
psyche commenced in that dreaded mid-third period. Is it our fitness or lapse
of mental concentration with no screen or blocks around the rucks giving
first of 4 soft tries to the ‘aged’ J8’s backline from
30-metres out to be even untouched under the posts. A moment of spontaneity
from return kick-off by Linesy caught the J8’s still high-5ing on the
opposite side of field. Then an equally jubilant (own up who?) scoring in
opposite corner.
This 21pts was not reflective to
the concerted forward driving mauls 10 - 20m yardage with 2 scrums to ANTs
for ball held-up over oppositions try line. The ‘confidence’ of
the team (not individuals) was evident with unable to convert set piece moves
to tries only 5-metres out.
Tight five of DM, Andy Bennetts,
Matty-O, Andrew Maguiness, Thompy and McHoull had resulted in two tight-heads
and able to push the sizeable (sub Poneke size) pack back the RG 1-metre on 2
occasions. Justin ‘Gus’ Adamson#7 tackling strong and for the
full 70 minutes.
Next week we play our perennial
fav’s the ‘OBU Teddy Bears’. This will be the
best-of-the-rest of the OBU teams (4 others in Div 2), always a grudge match,
cos well they try to hard to be ‘tuggers’ when it only come
natural to them – we are mates off the field!
An appreciate ‘thanks’
to Chris ‘Silks’ Silcock, Mike King#5 and Chip for running
sideline whilst Oscar again having a brief spell with the whistle and canter
on the wing.
Player-of-the-Day: Jason Lines#12 defensive marking and
mid-field dashes (would have been also Dan Coup, but he subbed off to
left Oscar have a run).
Dick-of-the-Day: Jamie Brundell
unable to find the touch line on 4 consecutive penalties
Dead
Ants vs. Stokes
Valley
Saturday,
21 June
Result: 14-5 lost (7-5 half time)
Points: Rob Walker#11 Try
Was not as a ‘daunting’ task
to front up to Stokes Valley…this next generation had 5-fingers, could
count them off, swore in pigeon inglish….and proceeded to show the ANT
a thing or two about WINNNING. Stokes
Valley came second on
round 1….so this grade is the taking. We need to realise that winning
is a part of our game, we have consolidated team numbers (19-22 each
Saturday). Excellent leadership in Jared and DM, and 10 games against some
better teams (training and experience together). I assure you we will be in
the semis in 8 games time…and we will now what it is like to WIN big !!
Individually, several Players are showing
some experience – Jack Glover#14, strong fend and speed around tackler,
Dan Coup#13 went
‘large’ in mid-field running ball back and 10-20mgains past the
advantage line. DM#1 leadership and keeping the rolling mauls shape.
Jared even ½ cut from his ‘head-wetting’ tackling and turning
ball over. Will Biss playing like a 4th loosie. Mike Burns#10 tactile kicking game and Player of
the Day – Dom for his positive sniping around the fringes and bulling
runs.
The newer fella’s same some real
effort and ability from Mike Wulff
securing 4 opposition lineout throws. Mike Lees#8
taking on responsibility at the hit ups and tackling. Mike
King#5 open play around the blind, and our youngest Player
(3rd season) Peter ‘Lil Pete’ Clark#7
recovering from knee injury to clean-out the rucks
Welcome back Matty O#3 – as there
is now a shortage of ‘grazing kai’ in the Bay….our longest
serving ANT is back for 2008 season
We are thankful for a good ref., as young
as Lil Pete and as knowledgeable – thank you WRFU!
Apologies to our Manager, Quinny#6 for
not getting a run, Craig was as busy as usual running sideline logistics and
organising a shike load for the guys to enjoy your code each Saturday (thanks
Bud - sorry). Craig is attending a ‘computer gaming’ tournie in Auckland…oh to
be…30? …hence I didn’t want to him to bruise a digit finger
etc.
Player
of the Day: Dom Viles#9
Dick-of-Day: Mike Horn – Last Saturday
was invited to Chrispie’s mates (Will Biss#4) place, then proceeded to
inquire which team Will played for….one too many free beers on thinks!
Injury: Roy Seabrook#7 (Achilles tendon tear)
Dead Ants vs. Poneke Hammers
Saturday 14 June 2008
Result lost 58-7, 22-0 half time
Weekly Wrap Up
…….a picture tells a
thousand words (see attached), cliché’s keep flowing, but the scoreline
was flattering!
In mild conditions, the 18 ANT
Players gave a much improved and rewarding effort against the well drilled
(trained) Hammers. Our forward pack repelling several on-the-line charges
with better yardage from broken play. It was the % completion of line breaks
converted into tries being the difference between our lads and the
‘turn-coats of 2003’.
Ant’s points coming from Rob
Walker#14 kick down sideline, resulting in ‘DM#1’ following up in
true Fitzy fashion and pouncing on the loose ball in goal area – a try!
to a man getting his 20hrs accumulative sleep per week (in 2hr increments of
course)! Conversion by Burner#10.
ANTs return to Division 2 this week
with the commencement of Round 2. The ANTs start with realistic goals to win
each week, win well and secure a finals berth 7 games from now!!
Players of the Day: Pere
‘Pedro’ Rodgers#9 and Mike ‘MP’ Plivelich#4
D-o-D: Johnny
Curtis#7….thanking the ref for his contribution to
the scoreline
Dead Ants Vs Johnsonville Cripples
Date:07th June
Result: Loss 3 – 26
Weekly Wrap Up:
If only the game went for 35 minutes, we would have wasted them 3-0.
Unfortunately with a 30 point hurricane at our backs in the first spell we
were unable to capitalise and put more points on the board. We did show the
opposition though just how powerful we were at kicking the ball, managing to
kick it dead from just outside our 22 on around 4 occasions. The
first spell was a bit stop start with changes having to be made
early through injury to key positions Chris #8 Calf and Chip #10 ankle.
Quinny was dynamic in the scrums securing 3 or 4 tight heads before kissing
the opposition prop on the cheek and commenting on his lovely man
boobs!
Dan and Horn displayed a lot of powerful running in the backs,
while Burnsy showed his diversity swapping his No 15 jersey for No
6 and leading the way in a few lovely forward charges.
The second half saw some great ball retention by the Ants
stringing together 3 or 4 phases, unfortunately were unable to bust through
the Cripples defence to put points on the board. Chrispie was looking
dangerous with ball in hand using his jaw to try busting through tackles,
before getting back into position nicely to take a high ball. Unfortunately
he miscalculated just how heavy those oval balls are and ended up flat
on his back in middle of the pitch earning the right to wash the team jerseys
for next week.
Go easy on the fabric softener mate! A couple of lapses in
concentration saw the Cripples run in a couple of soft tries, with the rest
of their 26 unanswered points coming from the boot.
All in all it was a game of two halves, rugby was the winner on
the day and full credit to Oscar for standing up and blowing the pea out of
the whistle. Thanks to the ladies for the eats.
Injuries: Chip#10 (rolled ankle), Chris
McHoull#8 (wrenched knee)
Player of the Day:
Jared 'Thompy' Thompson#6 (Captain)
Dick-of-the Day: Peter 'Crispie'
Chrisp#14
Dead Ants Vs Poneke H-Islanders
Date: 24 May
Result: Loss
10-32
Weekly Wrap Up:
Once again we have come up against this
big side of which I couldn't tell if the person was a prop or winger as they
all shared a common theme, size. The score was perhaps a little unfair and
doesn't show the good game we actually had.
The Dead Ants took awhile to warm up once
on the field and this resulted in an early try for Poneke, however with some
stern talking to from our Captain , Mark 'DM' Sutherland#1 the boys
lifted there game and passion. From here the Dead Ants went from strength to
strength, being able to dominate in the Lineout’s and scrums.
Ruck’s and Mauls were left to be
desired with quite a large penalty count against us, including the author
whom was trying to protect his head and kill\slow the ball down.
With a solid defence the Dead Ants took a
punishing with attack after attack from the Poneke players. The Dead Ants
backline had an impressive run down the sideline using their skills and
speed to run around the prop/winger/flanker and offload right down the
backline, result was a try in the corner after some fancy work by all.
The forwards were relentless with Chris McHoull showing some brute up front. The
Dead Ants scrum (approx 700- 800kgs including Ben 'Ben-G'
Gardiner) versus Poneke’s ( 900kg+) was unusual as the Dead Ants
on more than one occasion were able to push the Poneke forward pack back.
After halftime the Poneke lineout plan was to contest for the ball once the
Dead Ants had caught it, the locks showed some formidable styles that saw the
forwards secure a lot of the Poneke throw-ins.
Although error count was low against the
Dead Ants, the penalty count was high. Not releasing the ball was the biggest
culprit.
Linesy making a few more breaks for
the Dead Ants, alas we were not able to finish them off due to running into the
Poneke forwards coming back from the previous ruck/maul.
Overall what we lacked in size we made up
for with skill and teamwork. The end result, as said before, did not show a
fair representation of the game played. Poneke is currently top of the table
and we showed some tremendous courage and skill to put these guys on the back
foot.
Injuries: Mike Wulf#4(knee), Mike Lees#8(knee), Mike
Horn#13(nads), Roy Seabrook#6(calf), Linesy#12(winded)
Points:
Player
Of The Day: Steve 'Chip' Rodgers - For an old
man he can still make the breaks and have speed to setup forth coming set
pieces, I wouldn't want to mark him.
Dick
Of The Day: Steve 'Oscar' Kamo - Perhaps
unfair as he refed the game. But the Dead
Ants player too well as a TEAM to have any individual nominated.
Dead Ants vs Pink
Ginners
Date: 17
May
Result: WIN 34 –
10
Weekly Wrap up:
After a pretty distressing week for
the boys, a comprehensive 34-10 win over the Pink Ginners was a welcome
tonic.
After a minutes silence for Tito prior
to the game, we started as if our minds were on other things. The first five
minutes saw us pretty much on the back foot. A couple of superb cover tackles
by Dom kept the Ginners at bay and Burner clocked up plenty of mileage with
punts out of danger. Starting to work our way into the match through a
dominant lineout and some strong runs by Dan Coup
and Mike Horn, leading to our
first try by Johnny Curtis. After
this first try we seemed to button off a bit, and the Ginners came back into
the match, a searing break down the outside channel leading to a try and then
a penalty giving them a 10-5 lead. Mike Horn
continued to be noticed in the game, first securing a turnover and then
providing a midfield break to set up try number two for Chris Thompson. Not wanting his midfield partner
to get all the glory, Paddy threw a glorious dummy and clapped on some pace
(obtained through off-season touch – all players to note!) and was
unlucky not to secure some points from the effort. Quinny demonstrated some
good form in the number 2 jersey, one notable sequence seeing him secure a
tighthead (one of three) and then stay out on the wing (as all good hookers
do) to take the ball and rampage past and through a number of Ginners (and
then going off – injury: tired!). Two good midfield rucks led to quick
ball and a Ginners backline defence in disarray and Steve Thompson did the
finishing job for his second try and the Ants third.
Halftime 17-10.
With major changes it was a
virtually new team for the second half. Welcome back big Aaron Lutton –
starting off as prop this week, but as fitness improves, hopefully we will
see more from the big fella with ball in hand. The Ants that generously
turned out for the Ginners were rotated and provided them with some steel. While
we were straight into it in the second half, with an electric burst from the
back by Steve McMann, the Ginners dominated the first 15 minutes of the
second half. However, some resolute defence and a willingness to mix it like
big Tito would have liked, and we denied any points scoring opportunities. Mike King, a jumper in the Ian Jones mould, was
prominent in the lineout’s and around the paddock during this period.
Pere and Chip took some time to get used to each other – c’mon,
how long have you been practising together!!! There was a collective ouch
from the sideline as Mike P and Linesy double tackled some poor Ginner who
thought he was in the clear – and right on the cricket pitch to boot.
Working our way back into the game, a penalty attempt was missed, but this
signalled the turning of the tide, and from this point on the Ants were well
in the ascendancy. After a neat skyhook pass from Jamie B, which Kareem
Abdul-Jabaar would have been proud of, Ben Toner was away down the sideline
for a touchdown. Linesy also produced a nicely weighted pass to put Jamie
into a gap but he was closed down. The blindside was well utilised and Jason
Lines was next to benefit after good build up work. We then had two certain
tries pulled back from forward passes with Toner and Linesy the unlucky
parties. To finish it off, Jason Lines produced a break close to the line
from a solid Ants scrum and Toby was on hand to dot down.
Thanks to an associate ref rung in
for the game. Aside from the usual grumbles from both teams he gave a good
effort and allowed a good running match to develop.
The left hand side from the
changing rooms was a bog, while the right hand side offered some more solid
ground. Our initial offence was sweeping towards the bog and resulted in a
slow down of play. When we changed to go right, and in the second half this
meant a lot of blind side running, we were able to get quick ball, get in
behind, and 4 of our tries were scored on that right hand side. Something to
note for the next game at the old rubbish dump?
RIP Gavin ‘Tito’
Brooks.
Points: TBA – No
Steve Rodgers you can not claim all points!!
Players of the Day:- 1st
half – Dom, 2nd half – Mike
King.
Dick of the Day: (and the
dubious distinction of the jersey washing) was Pere – should really know
how tall his brother is by now, one pass was over the head. Countered this
with two collects from wayward lineout’s.
Dead Ants vs. Mixed Veges
Date: 03
May
Result: Lost 23-10
Weekly Wrap Up:
Now this was our fifth consecutive lose,
and this was game any other day we ‘should’ win. But, we only
offer excuses on player size?
Cliché – a game of two halves,
really two teams? Last week playing at one stage with 13 only, this week we
had 32 Players (sorry Roy, for no game time – first on next week). With
sub-10 degree temp at soggy bog (as only Ian Galloway can) did not damper the
many Players return from injury, dancing or graduation.
ANT Team 1 – was actually an
offering ‘first choice’ to those whom played so gallantry 7-days
ago. Same issue with no reserve props, and request for Nate to front-up again
at just-turned 24yr against mid-30 seasoned Reserve Grade
Veggies….excellent ticker Lad, deserved Player-of-the Day under
tutelage of DM and Glen Lucas.
Too many missed touchline kicks, and losing
position of the ball at each of the first phase hit-ups was costly with
several lengthy periods of defending inside our own 22-yds. It resulted in
Veggies gaining assurance with counter attacking the ball still in play, also
getting to the forwards to set-up sets of ‘pick-n-go’.
When finally retained the ball, and
cutting runs from loose forwards resulting in 50-metre gain and a penalty in
front – slotted by Mike ‘Burner’ Burns#10.
Half-time 13-3
ANT Team 2 – though subs were
reluctant to don the muddied shirts at half-time…least the warmth and
smell still lingered for next 35-minutes.
We conceded a silly try, when a penalty
kick was missed and left to bounce in the in-goal only to have if placed for
down for a try – down 18 – 3.
Passing the ball wide of the rucks, and
several sets of hands stretched there sizeable defences and cantering 7-pack
of ‘props’. Great to see Mike Plivelich#4 galloping like a young?
Brad Thorn behind defenceless inside backs…us brown fella’s
don’t like running back which setup the ANT back line for several close
excursions into their 22. A try scored under the posts by ?? (sorry, but was
tending to next set of reserves). Confident conversion by Liam a the score
18-10.
Mike Wulff#4 taking over
6 steals in the line-out at No.2, DM enduring another 5th game of
70-min in front row (see you after Bubba-Son No.2 born), DT’s passion
for ‘winning’ shown with Paddy, Jared, Burnsy and Johnny giving
100%. We are still inward focused on our game, and yet to apply tactic to counter
opposition – so many new Players (differing skills, and too many
combinations) etc, that social (corporate/OBU) rugby for you. Please note
that in the big games i.e finals will choice a team to ‘win’, few
if any substitutions – note form matters, as when we drop to Division
2, our objectives are to win that grade!!
Supporters of ex-ANT’s and parents
dottering the sideline, also Toby or Jordan’s girlfriend – a
sitter for ‘ANTette of the year 2008.
Guys, West’s were previously a Vic
Uni team, they have been awesome hosts with drinks, kia and haka in last 5
years. Request was to head up to their Clubrooms – thank you to Linesy
and Hamish Burns whom paid their respects to a great Social Team (remember we
don’t reciprocate this gesture, cos we don’t have such true
community facilities). Next time we go as a team!!
Scorers (was it you Paddy/Linesy? 1 x try), Mike ‘Burner’ Burns#10
(1 penalty), Liam Sampson#10 (1 conversion)
Player of the Day: Nathan ‘Nate’ Scott#3
Other News:
* Welcoming back of props –
Aaron Lutton & Chris Silks, enjoy the warm-ups
* Jordan Good has elected to take
on boxing, debut against Para-Plim and scored a try – best wishes
* Geoff
Botherway has elected to return to 80-80 for Poneke
(Captain) struggling to keep the weight on with the running at No.6 –
see Mike & you at Mr OBU.
* North’s won 2-1 against
South’s in Oscar’s B-day Boat Race Challenge….”North,
there can be only one!!” Good turn-off, and note that FREE kia is from
5.45pm…snooze and you starve.
* Injuries: - Hamish Burns chipped
tooth/concussion, Chris Thompson
– thigh strain, Jared’s pride of 5-0
Dead Ants vs. Poneke
Rebels
Date: 26 April
Result: Lost 43-10
Weekly Wrap Up:
I don’t know what they feed these fellas
in Poneke, but alongside the H-Islanders, these Rebels were also some large
units. Boy, these lads were big. A front row which would have easily been in
excess of 400kg. And, against this we had the bulk of Mark ‘DM’,
Andy Bennetts and Oscar totalling 260kg!!
Tactical (?) depowering of the scrum with
Kamo’s departure meant that the Ants were reduced to 14 men, as we
didn’t have a front row substitute. Kindly, the Rebels allowed us back
to 15 from the second half (although we had already run through our one
reserve by that stage!).
With a game plan of spreading the ball
wide fast, we needed to find the quick pill to enable this to happen. As it
happened, Poneke got into the game quicker, using their big men to good
effect in the midfield. Their first try came off some good defensive work by
the Ants, stripping one of their boys of the ball close to the line, but a
defensive ‘bomb’ went straight into the hands of their
wing/prop/1st five and a try was scored. Burner put the Ants onto
the board with a simple penalty nearly straight after and the Ants continued
to be competitive. Tito was getting his head into areas best reserved for
feet and knees and come out feeling the worse for wear – but gainfully
continued for the match – even striking down some breaks with useful
tackles in the second half.
Turning around 26-3 behind, it was always
going to be a challenge in the second half. Especially as we had the one
reserve and plenty of walking wounded by this stage (and no, no thought of a
comeback by yours truly). Standing on the sideline doing some TJ duties, it
was a refreshing game to watch in the second half, as the game opened up and
both sides had some good opportunities for points. The Rebels got a penalty
close to the line, and although all the defensive line were able to call out
the ball carrier to proved more difficult to stop him from getting over the
line (champion quote from the wing/prop/1st five – “if
you were playing Guess Who, you would have won!).
After this early reversal, the Ants came
back and dominated the next twenty minutes. After having been bounced off
Quinny was back on his feet and made the break that led to the Ants try.
Getting into some space, the ball was out among our 12 and 14 and some good
interplay down the right wing, and a miracle pass, led to a try by Steve
McMahon. Burner chipped over the conversion. The Ants continued to press, and
a couple of great runs by Dan Coup
had us over the line again, but the ref was unsighted amongst all the bodies
(Dan convinced us it was a try!). It was still looking good for the Ants,
although a couple of the chip kicks and grubbers left a little to be desired
(backs – some more training needed here). Quinny, coming on for a
replacement, chipped the ref on the way past (blind git was the words used)
and found himself sitting down for the next ten minutes. The Rebels were able
to take advantage of size and tiredness, and put away a couple of long range
tries towards the end, with passes sticking for them left, right and centre.
ANZAC weekend the theme for the ANTs
given opposition was positive…”gallantry”,
“valour”, “bravery” etc. Fitting result given it was
Poneke’s 125th Anniversary, and they passed up on use on Ofisa Tonu'u
(All Black 1993) from their bench (ended getting man-of-match for Poneke
Hammers against OBU Pink Ginners).
Player of the Day: Jared Thompson#6 & Mark
‘DM’ Sutherland#1
Scorers: Mike Burns#10 (1 penalty & 1
conversion), Scott McMan#12 (1 try)
Dead Ants vs Ories
J8’s
Date: 19 April
Result: Lost 22-5
Venue: Ian Galloway No.4 – 3pm
Half Time (5-10 down)
Weekly Wrap Up:
Team played like a ‘team’.
The re-orientated Ian Galloway games assured a game dictated by the strong
(cool) southerly. Conditions underfoot were soft but firm as the 30mm in
4-hours did no damage. My favourite ‘Red-Baboon’ referee kept up
his 100% effort to spoil the continuity of OUR game with the wind behind our
back in the first half.
Hamish ‘Burnsy’ Burns
swavthing through first 2-3 tackles to set up the counter-attack, need to convert
our line breaks into points, for which will benefit from off-loads to our
wheels in Dan Coup, Stu
Meikle-John, Chris Thompson, Mike Horn etc
Can’t beat experience from Mark
‘DM’ Sutherland, Glenn Lucas, and now, Johnny
Curtis when muscling-up to opposition 20kg + heavier each
larger. Thankful as our front row ‘gutsing-it-out’ to date will
soon to bee beefed-up with late arrival of 2 x 105kg+ props.
Mike Horn scoring his
third try, and easiest of 2008…even withholding an off-load to birthday
boy Nathan ‘Nate’ Scott. Our winger proving they are the best in
tackling skill, Chris Thompson and
Stu Meikle-John earning respectful compliments from their sizeable opponents.
Second halve was a defensive slog given
the wind, with near 25-minutes inside our own 22. Though we conceded 2 tries
to 0, the communications and ‘team’ pride ensured that
Players forming combinations both in
interchange of their designated positions i.e Pere & Dom @ No.9, Paddy
& Toner @ No.12. Geoff & Chris McHoul @ No.6. Appreciative that our
squad is swelling with available numbers (18 unavailable for Ories Game),
Quinny & I are appreciative of the co-operation exhibited as Players are
interchanged (rotation$#%#) this has been done with no-noticeable
discontinuity of our game …to date! Playing hard and intense for period
on the paddock
(Thanks to Grady#1 and Jack#5 from Teddy
Bears for player cover – their game ‘cancelled’ (?)
Finally from me, couple of retirements
announcements from previous ANT’s-of-the-Year:
*
Ben ‘Tex’ Potaka#9&12
(A-o-t-Y 2006) departs to Melbourne
on 5 May to be with his long-distance gal
*
Jon ‘JC’ Cable#2 (A-o-t-Y 2007), recent 2nd time Dad
has conceded that being 75kg is daunting enough at No.2, but being sober now
for 2+ years !
Thank
you for your awesome contribution both on/off the field over last 5 years
– Non Hic Sumus Araneos Copulare.
Scorer: Mike Horn#13 (3 from 3 games)
Players-of-the-Day: Johnny Curtis#2 gonnabe loose
forward, Will Biss#4 – tackling and line-out takes
D-o-D: Chris ‘Paddy’ Paterson – kick
missed in front
Dead Ants vs Para-Plim
Date: Saturday 12 April 2008
Venue Ngatitoa Domain, Mana
Result: 19-22 loss (5-17 half-time)
Weekly Wrap Up:
Our first competition game for 2008
season, our first game in division 1 since 1996. (our
teams first Jackie RURU Shield victory).
No excuses offered or given, we played
catch-up football, and when we led 19-17 we immediately lapsed in
defence and lost from the reply kick-off - a a lesson learnt.
We played like a team willing
to 'win' and fronted up in the scrum and asserted line-out dominance (it
was 'purely 'Biss!~!'). With the fine weather returning good to see the backs
also 'puffing', with 4 sets of 7 phases. An assessment of team fitness was that
superior to opposition whom train weekly, but saved their last breath
for the ref...before resuming off-side play, and off-ball
niggle. Mightily impressed by work-rate of backs - all Players were
committed, and counter attached with confidence - mentioning Paddy, Burnsy, Walker and
Horn. This is the only way to play in this division.
With the ability to field two teams in
70-minutes and with depth in key positions we are shaping up for a 'solid'
first round. We have the 2007 Champions, Ories J8's this Saturday, and another
new Reserve Grade Team, Poneke Rebels on Anzac Weekend - please let me know
if unavailable. Note: the WRFU will consider a transfer to Friday, 25 April if
organised this week!
We are full-filling half our 'team
charter' with 'everyone whom turns-up getting a run', but we
need to extend to our commitment to social aspects of our
team. Three Volunteers required to co-ordinate 5 dedicated ANT
events during the year (of which 2 are club organised - Mr OBU, and
Reserve Grade Night) - please reply to Quinny.
Lastly the OBU Clubrooms are the
Cambridge Hotel, whom put on $7 jugs, a free
BBQ from 5.45pm each Saturday...a team is drawn-out of a hat for free
beers!! Too good a deal to pass-up or even Peter C to throw-up! Hey "Dad's"
- one Saturday a month is not much to ask.
Injuries: Toby-9 (bloodied snout), Jordan-13 (sleep deprivation), Chris McH-6
(ribs), Nate-3 (scrumaging), Peter Clark-7 (mild concussion), Mike
Wulf-4 (wrist), Liam-15 (hyper ext. elbow) - fella's R.I.C.E.D.
Scorers: Mike Horn (1
Try)......others?
Player of
the Day: Mike Horn & Stu 'Stuey
Little' Meikle-John
D.o.D: Dom Viles
Dead Ants vs. Poneke
H-Islanders:
Date: 05
April
Result: Lost 25 -10
Venue: Kelburn Park
Weekly Wrap Up:
After a summer of dryness and sunshine, it
was inevitable that the first game of the season would experience rain of
biblical proportions. However it was probably the rain that levelled things
substantially between the two sides. With an average weight bordering on
115kg, the Poneke players proved that Taro is still very much on the menu in
the Eastern Suburbs. With several new players amongst the ranks the forming
of new combinations would be crucial for the rest of the season. All the boys
slotted in well and by all accounts the season looks in good stead.
The first half started with both sides
looking to put the ball on the deck and let the other team make the mistakes.
Hamish looked at home at the back and returned all the kicks with interest. When
the Ants did run the ball the Poneke defence was well up to the mark and I
must say I felt the full force of the 2nd Fives shoulder as it
drove straight through my chest. Poneke’s first try was indeed a well
worked move and considering the conditions was very impressive. When Poneke
scored soon after it looked to be a trouncing but the Ants pulled back well.
Putting the ball behind the defence and then getting up in the faces of
Poneke soon proved fruitful as Mike Horn
went over for a nice try before the half was ended.
Poneke came back strong in the second
half and soon scored again before the Ants spent a good amount of time in
Poneke’s 22. While there were several chances close to the line,
nothing came of it and Poneke once again defended well. Another try from
Poneke signed the fate of the Ants but at no time were we completely down and
out. With this being the opening game there were a number of positives that
can be taken – considering the lack of size and the conditions there
was still a good display of rugby. Lineouts, scrums and set pieces need to be
worked on but with more games under the belt I’m sure that this will
improve. With the round officially starting next week and with the Ants in
Division 1 hopefully this will come sooner than later.
Player of the Day: Hamish Burns
Notes: Points
Scorers: Mike Horn
(try), Paddy (conversion)
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