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Mighty Springs V Eden Black, Sat 29 June 2013. Cox’s Bay.

If there’s one thing we’ve learnt over the weekend, it’s that our boys play better when they play often. We know this because after a week of ground cancellations the lads were like skittish racehorses at practice this week.
So it was with a sense of ‘not sure what we are going to get today’ that players, coaches and supporters arrived at Cox’s Bay on a stunning but chilly day.
A quick headcount revealed not only that Tai was absent due to a dose of the Chicken Pox, (get well soon mate, we miss you), but also that five of the lads are probably due for a haircut.

The mop chops could wait though, as Matt, in possession of the whistle today, was eager to get the game under way - mostly to warm up his very cold and winter-white thighs before hypothermia set in.

But as the Mighty Springs took the field, the sky suddenly went dark. It was as if the sun had been blocked out. No it wasn’t an eclipse. It was the arrival of our opponents - Eden Black.

They were big. As big as the smashed car count in The Fast and the Furious 6.
They were strong. As strong as your grandpa’s gin and tonics.
They were fast. As fast as a lawyer’s bill arriving in your letterbox.
And, as was to become apparent; they weren’t half bad.

They spun the ball wide quickly and often, freeing some of their better guys for some terrific tries.
Their Defence was as tight as a pair of skinny jeans just out of the dryer and we didn’t help our cause by turning over the ball 4 or 5 times.

We tried everything; Inspired substitutions, vocal encouragement, a moving feast of tactics and even a few words to the Man upstairs.
But at the end of the day, when it was all said and done, when it was all over bar the shouting, and in the final analysis, after a game of quite literally two halves, we unfortunately lost 11-14.
So full credit to the opposition.

It wasn’t all bad news however.
The boys never gave up and gave as good as they got. On attack, Bailey and Maxy ran as hard as a batch of Aunty June’s Anzac biscuits and on defence, David and Jack spread like Kraft smooth peanut butter on toast bread - awesomely.

But two players really stood out this week.
And they’ve been setting the standard all year delivering more heroics than Piha Rescue on Series Link.

As Billy Ocean sung so staunchly in a tremendously baggy white suit in 1986 – ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’
And today’s Man of Steel did just that - going and going and going. Joachim was on like Donkey Kong from the start, ghosting through gaps, stepping like a Latin American Macarena instructor and like a Sunday driver, refusing to let anyone get past him. Like ever.

His partner in crime, Ali, was also incredible. He definitely had his best all-round game but don’t take my word for it. His stats don’t lie, particularly when they are recorded so brilliantly and meticulously by Annabel: 6 tries, 10 rips, 1 sore leg, 5 swigs of water, 2 halftime oranges and 3 huge cheers for the Player of the Day. Be proud Ali, it was a great performance.

Special mention must also be made to Joachim who completed a great day by being deservedly announced Player of the Month at the clubrooms.
More skillful than a blindfolded chainsaw juggler and on attack, more elusive than an Instant Kiwi win bigger than two dollars, Joachim is having a bumper season. Keep it up champ!

And on that positive note it seems like a good time to sign off and look forward, as always, to this week’s practice.

Until then boys, clean your boots, eat your greens, brush your teeth and tell your parents you love ‘em. In that order please.


Best

J