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RUGBY REPORT 29th October 2007

In conditions marked by blazing sun and a strong breeze , local rugby resumed at the pristine Malabar field, with a return to old form with both Renegades and Teachers prevailing in apparently lope sided affairs.

The day's first game saw undefeated Police and reigning League champions Renegades vying for top of table honors. Police suffered several last minutes pull outs- missing a cadre of talent in Dave Bird, Andrea Battison, Joel Blyde, Mickey Stokes, Andrew Flint and Ian Simpson; this void created havoc with selection and ultimately impacted on the Police standard of play.

The game started with Police using the strong wind to their advantage. Both side displayed plenty of grit and determination and the opening stages witnessed some immense hitting coming in- Doug Davies tackling leading the way for Police. However it was Renegades standoff Paul Waldburger who opened his sides account with a well taken drop goal into the stiffening breeze. Police fought back with some powerful runs by Jamie Billings and Mark Evans. Renegades weathered the onslaught and despite immense pressure Police were left thankful of Michael Kane's prowess with his kicking foot as he capitalized on two infringements to slot over to long distance penalties to give the Bobbie's a 6-3 lead. Going into the half-time break and the game very much in balance, 'Gades must have liked their chances as they had the wind in the second half and the depleted Police side were beginning to show their achilles heel; poor conditioning. The valiant Police forwards found themselves under the gun from the restart and some sterling pick and drive's by the Renegades drove them relentlessly forward. Only some desperate defending impeded the advance. Sensing there was no way through the impenetrable wall of blue bodies, Waldburger sensibly leveled the score with another well stroked drop goal from short range. The Renegades forwards were sensing cracks in the once resolute Police defense and once again began pounding the ball down their opposite numbers throat. Police hooker Angus Ayliffe found the set pieces to be tortuous with the scrum uncharacteristically going backwards at a rate of knots and the lineouts becoming farcical with Police second row Richard Hansen barely getting off the ground. Strong drives by 'Gades back-rowers Mike Williams and Conrad Hichley broke down the remnants of a once indefatigable thin blue line. Stand-in scrum half Darragh O'Donnoghue's nice off load to the inspirational Peter Dunkerley saw the giant number 8 crash through for a hard fought try. O'Donnoghue knocked over the conversion for a 13-6 lead- a lead which Renegades never relinquished. Police manfully endeavored to be competitive but injuries and the lack of player availability began to show to cruel effect. Despite some heroic rearguard action by Jonathan Cassidy and Captain Jamie Webb, 'Gades extended their lead late in the game to flatter the final score line. The effervescent Tom Healy, playing full back to avoid an unnecessary contact as he was partaking in the Police Boxing extravaganza that night put a further nail in the coffin with a clever chip through. The bouncing ball eluded Police fullback Mike Kane and fell kindly into Healy's path. The West Indies star made no mistake and dotted down for a converted try. With a 20-6 lead, Renegades began to throw the ball about, stretching the already flagging and beleaguered Police backs to breaking limits. Renegades debutant winger John "Jacko" Jackson administered the coup de gras with a superbly finished off strike on the final whistle. The conversion saw Renegades go top of the league with a well won 27-6 victory. As for Police- it is the best of times, it is the worst of times- they are still in the hunt for league honors- two points adrift and with a game in hand but they will have to urgently address fitness and player availability issues to avoid this being their season of discontent.

The second game saw the resurgent Teachers team take on perennial cellar dwellers Mariners and this game went true to form with the rampant Reds demolishing the demoralized Greens who despite the arrival of new players and expert coaching duet of Jooann Oosthuizen and Lawrence Bird, are still seeking their first league win of the season. It is a truth universally acknowledged that a rugby union team in possession of a good back-row, must be in want of a championship. Judging by the talent and balance of youth and experience in the Teachers back row of Peter Dunlop, veteran Derek "Bobby" Hurdle and new South African flanker Michael Barkenhuizen, they must be hedging their bets on some silverware this season. Throw into the mix the considerable skills and knowledge of young Andrew Hook, William McNiven, Nick Ball, Deverae Noel-Simmons, Andrew Males and Jean Francois Mauvis waiting in the wings, Teacher's have a formidable forward unit. The Reds started the game without the diminutive David Porter who will sit out the next two league games for displaying is pugilistic style in the wrong forum. As such considerable reshuffling was done to the Reds back-line with Chris Naylor filling in at his old high school position of scrumhalf, Chris Way in the hot seat at fly half, and the dependable Harry Andrews at fullback. The game started out with plenty of spirit and both sides showed a willingness to be enterprising. Reds flanker Barkenhuizen showed his class by dominating in the loose and was a constant thorn in the sides of the Mariners. He did what all good break-aways do- tackled everything that moved, snaffled up loose ball and acted as a conduit between the forwards and the backs. With the winds to their backs, Mariners smartly kicked for territory early on and lead by power houses David Rourke and Ian Bowd fought there way deep into the Teachers 22 A rare Teachers infringement was picked up by referee John Wheale and Richard Brown knocked over the penalty to give what turned out to be the only points for his side on the afternoon. The well organized Teachers pack responded by flexing their muscles in text book set pieces and won good clean ball. Several strong rolling mauls had the line beckoning but the drive was stopped by a foul play. Harry Andrews, taking over kicking duties from the inconsistent Naylor, slotted the penalty to even things up at 3-3. Mariners were dominating territorially but good defensive pressure saw the ubiquitous Barthuizen snap up an errant Richard Holden pass to score an interception try just before the break. The second half saw Teachers pick up the tempo and use the strong wind to good effect.. Once again good line out possession enabled standoff Chris Way to cleverly spot the Mariners back line up far too quick and a deft little grubber kick through saw the grateful Warren Clifford collect the fortuitous bounce and touch down near the posts for the first convert try of the day. Barthuizen set up his side's third try of the day by out foxing four Green defenders and gift wrapping an easy try for the supporting Naylor to extend the lead to 24-3. One could sense that it was going to be a long hard day at the office for the besieged Mariners squad and the writing was on the wall. The game soon became a rout when from a quick tap penalty by Naylor saw him return the favour to the terrier-like Barthuizen who scampered down the blind side before unselfishly passing to the ageless Alvin Harvey who defying his reputation of hands of stone gathered the ball well and sprinted to score between the posts and ensure the bonus point. 31-3 up the Reds had their tails in the air and were beginning to enjoy themselves- throwing the ball about with gay abandonment. The Mariners dogged determination and never say die attitude was still prevalent. The leadership of Gary Brady and Luke Millward ensured that the Greens bravely fought to the end on despite the circumstances. The final whistle blast saw Teachers raised their arms in jubilation after a thoroughly dominating 31-3 performance which brought them even with Police in the league with 9 points and in striking distances of league leaders Renegades.

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