Round 7 - 25/05/2002

Vs Manurewa @ Mountfort Park

Score:27-0

Let me begin this episode by stating for the record that Manurewa/Takanini is far away, in fact
they are part of the Counties Club scene. Anyway that was what I had to say, so I apologise for
those who had to follow me to the ground, at leat you improved your u-turn technique. So a number
of s were late, Carlton, Old Bugger, Floppo, Butcher, The Human Canon-ball, Bull, Pumba and Macca.
Now the reason that Macca was late was because Michaela had blown her knee while walking this
time. I realise that couples should try and do more things together, but surely surgery is not
one of them?!

Okay back to the game at hand, after a few bruising encounters we had a few injured men on the
sideline, Old Bugger, Mouth, Simon (who was down south watching the sheep shaggers, more on that
later), Dan (who was over in Palmy), and Gibbo (who was injured or had finally given up on being
under 85).

Playing a lowly ranked team we were all promised a run, and an opportunity to prove ourselves.
This meant that the Cougars had a second forward pack that could come on at half time, not the
best of news for Manurewa. More good news was the fact that they did not wish to weigh us in
which meant all or fatties could play- Joel, you had nothing to fear this week!

As part of a running joke, Stevie G lost the toss, and the cougars kicked off. The conditions
were more rugby like this week, with interment showers and soft underfoot. The wind was strong
but blew across the field and gave neither team a real advantage. With the conditions likely to
play a factor ball security and a ten man game was on the cards.

The boys began like they had every week thus far, strong. We dominated early, and the sideline
was soon rewarded. Camped in the opposition 22, a turnover ball was fed out to the backs.
Unfortunately there was a number of forwards seagulling it out there, and the ball eventually
reached Alex, who proceeded to put a kick into play. Showing his all-round ability, both he and
Mumbles chased the kick through, a second kick came from the foot of Kerry, and an awkward bounce
saw Ale dive over the line for our first points. Gaz then converted this try from a difficult
angle, looks like that practice pre match may have paid off! What followed was continued strong
play by the Cougars, and we managed to keep the play in their half. 

The next highlight of the game is best captured by Dave's photograph. However, I will attempt to
verbalise, as best I can, how the photo comes about. Begin by first using sublime forward play,
and driving Rewa into their 22. What follows was somewhat amusing, in so far as it involved a
number of the afore mentioned forwards lining up out wide to receive the pass and break through.
What eventuated was a number of awkward passes, punctuated with a gay looking netball pass off to
Joel, who linked up with a rampaging Bill. The final act is evidenced by Dave's Photograph of
Bill diving over the line to score a well-deserved Cougar's try. Question however, what was Bill
doing out on the wing? He manages to avoid most of his responsibilities as a forward. Surely he
recognises that that was the exact reason as to why he was recruited. For its not like he is Pus
or anything.

14-0 halftime? Or so I think. What I do remember is the fact that Rewa actually had a game plan.
Well not a very effective game plan but one all the same. It was in fact to kick the ball and
keep us in our half. Only one flaw in their plan, actually two, Gaz was our full back, and they
failed to chase the kicks. The result, Gaz had all the time in the world to put the ball back
down their end and we would be hot on attack. Really force back is not a game one should have to
play against Gaz!

The second half saw a new forward pack, bar Stevie G, come onto the field. That was impressive,
that we could put on a fresh pack. Needless to say that Rewa were not impressed, as their
forwards were getting blown over as it was.

The half began where the previous had left off, and the boys were camped in the red zone. Ten
into the half, the last of the reserves, Carlton came on.  This was his first run since Tamaki,
and the inexperience was apparent. In the first scrum, poor ground conditions, and a lack of
practice saw HP Romal land on his face a few times, and the scrum needed to be reset.

Rewa intended to stick with their game plan, and as such still kicked to Gazza, poor chasers, and
some sweet kicks from the back meant that we kept them in their half.

Stevie G manage to score our third try, I do not recall how, perhaps that is because I was so
involved in my role. Hey if anyone actually reads this stuff I would be amazed!!

Perhaps the greatest highlight of the match was the biggest non-event of our season to date. It
began, not surprisingly, with us on the attack, a few meters short of the try line. The ball
came out of the back of a ruck, and was passed to a storming Rohan. Rosie crosses the line, and
kept on going, fending off the wing, and continued, until he crossed the line and scored.
Unfortunately for us and our pursuit of the bonus point the line he dived over was the deadball
line. Drop out 22, drop kick Rohan.

He did manage to somewhat redeem himself. Though his own lazy running, he manage to pinch an
intercept. Unfortunately, he did not have the legs to carry him across the forty meters to the
try line, fifty if he was heading for the dead ball line. So instead he passed it off to the
ever-present Pus who finally managed to score his first touch down of the year, having been held
up in this game too.

That was try number four, and with it came the bonus, our first for the season.
Game over, and we had managed to keep Manurewa off the scorecard! This is the year of the cougar.

The aftermatch soon ensued, with Petey handing out our new aftermatch shirts, and didn't the boys
look smart.

May I first congratulate and thank 'Rewa on their hospitality, they put on a roast, a much-needed
feed for many of us (including some of those who did not play).

After a good feed, most of us headed back to the club to watch the Super 12 final. Before the
match, we had to begin our ritual of the drinking et al, couple of boat races, which I think the
backs won.

Now I realise that I am getting to the bottom of the second page and I should really start to
wind it up. So I'll just mention the highlights.

Man of the Match: some one to fill this in (sorry)
An inaugural award was given to Rosie "The Dickhead of the Day", well deserved I must say!

Then we watched the big match on the biggish screen at the club. Now I cannot tell you much of
the game, not because I was so drunk, but because I had to hold George's head above the toilet.
I believe it was his first spew, ohh the first time is always special!!

Now while George was driving the porcelain bus, outside Pus had generously ordered pizza for
everyone. Thanks guys for not saving me any!!

Post the final, we were all short of ideas as to where to go, and the call was made to head off
to Reeves', since his parents were not there.

Needless to say, when we did eventually get there his parents were home, and keen to watch the
Elton John concert on TV. So we were banished to a spectacular view from the deck, and some sweet
sound from the entertainment system. Thanks to Mr and Mrs Reeves for the wonderful hospitality,
sorry for the mess, both individually and collectively. It should also be pointed out that
someone had a spew in the veggie garden, tisk tisk. But hey it'll do the plants good! There were
also a few rumbles, some group singing, and last but not least home!