Match Report Monday

Sorry I didn't get to this last night. My back was seizing up when I came home from work - actually it started at work - and so I just wanted to down some pain killers and get some sleep. It's better this morning, if a little tight. But never mind, here we are. On with the show!

Round 1 U13s, Div 2
Date: 27 April 2008, 12:00 pm kickoff
Where: Purtell Park, Bardon
Who: Wests Panthers v Brighton Roosters
Score: 29-26, Wests. That's right - victory is ours!!!!!!!


After a rousing pep talk to the parents by Coach Tom, 15 boys - yes, we had reserves - turned up on time at Purtell Park on a very warm and sunny Sunday afternoon. Parents waited for the previous game to end so we could steal what little shade we could find from those departing. Brighton has always been a tough team, so we knew the boys would be challenged. Would they be up for it?

If you heard their team chant you would know they were. Most teams huddle around and merely call their team team, or if they're fancy throw a "one, two, three {insert name here}" or a "go {insert name here}". Not our boys. As I set up under a hoop pine and tried to avoid the green ants, their war cry hit my ears and I whipped my head around. Did they really say what I thought they said? "One, two, three GIVE A SHIT!!!" I probably should be upset - after all they're only 12 and 13 - but I couldn't help but laugh. Sparky tells me it comes from them being asked if they "gave a shit", so they thought they'd demonstrate that they, indeed, care by using the phrase as their rallying cry. Whatever works.

What a first half! Brighton had some big boppers, especially the number 13 who was not only very tall but very very fast. It looked as if Brighton would take the early lead when the 13 streaked down the sideline to score, but he was called back for a forward pass. Phew. There was a lot of fierce play back and forth with some great ball work by both teams and good runs, especially by Chris - please have him play rugby union every Saturday - and Jack. Josh and Chris (again) were fantastic in defence, making some great tackles. Unfortunately our luck, and line, didn't hold out and Brighton put first points on the board to make it 6-0. Wests struck back quickly however, with a cross field run by DJ who made a mad dash down the sideline to bring the score to 6-4. We scored the next try too courtesy of our own big bopper Eli, but missed the conversion to take a narrow 8-6 lead.

These 30 minute halves are wearing on the nerves, but with a few fresh legs the boys were able to keep the pressure on Brighton and made them work for their next try out in the corner to snatch the lead back, 12-8. Last year the boys would've just done enough to hold on til halftime, but not this year. Cos they give a shit. Some great passes and good runs by the forwards saw DJ score his second try of the match under the posts to allow Scott the easy conversion and take the lead 14-12 as the whistle blew.

Would the second half be more of the same? You betcha - in fact it was worse. Eli was off the entire second half, sprawled on the first aid table with a back injury, and Brighton upped their physical game to the point of being spoken to by the ref several times, especially that number 13. I mean, Jarrod was literally half his size - is it necessary to shove him into the ground like that? Wests drew first blood, and I'm sorry that I can't remember who it was (if anyone knows help me out) to stretch the lead to 20-12. About 10 minutes into the half the heat started to wear and with no reserves left for Wests, Brighton snatched two quick unconverted tries to level the score 20 all. Knowing they could win, the boys dug deep and played some of the best footy yet. It remained locked for ages - or at least it seemed like ages - before DJ shot down the right side to make it a hat trick. Yes I seem to know when it's DJ scoring but fair dinkum he is my son - what kind of mother would I be if I didn't know when my son scored? That and it happened right in front of me. Jack missed the conversion but he also scored on the next possession to take a 28-20 lead.

At this point I started running up to our official timekeeper to find out exactly how much time was left. Ten minutes. Oish! Fantastic tackles by all involved keep Brighton pinned down in their end and allow some great field position for the mighty Panthers. The Roosters were desperate to keep us out and sensing another try just wasn't going to happen, Josh gets the ball and kicks a fantastic field goal to bring to score to 29-20. Sure it's only one point, but it was fairly demoralizing and took some of the wind of Brighton's sails. Another trip to see Michael and six minutes to go. Wests gave it their all and for five minutes they kept the Roosters out, but in the end their big boys were too big and they sneack over the line smack bang under the posts to come to within 3 points.

This time Michael caught me halfway up the hill to tell me there was 42 seconds left. They were the longest 42 seconds of my life. Parents hearts were pounding and stomachs were lurching - could we keep them out and take the two competition points? No rush to kick off and the kick was nice and deep. Brighton didn't want to be denied and kept getting the ball to their monster forwards, but our boys put their bodies on the line to deny them an easy run. Oh please sound the air horn, pleaseohpleaseohplease.... HOOOOOOT!!!!! Parents start to cheer but notice play continues. Tackle made, cheers start to go up but ref allows play to continue. Another blast of the air horn - c'mon ref!! Another tackle, another play on - OY!!!!! Stop it!!!! Finally he clues in and calls fulltime and we can cheer for real.

Now don't get me wrong, it's great to see them so competitive and - bonus - win. But if it's this close week after week I'll need more colorant for my hair and lots of antacid by the end of the season. According to the draw, next week is Samford again... at Samford AGAIN. Revenge will be ours, mwahahahahahaha!!!!! Danni has promised that, baring disaster, she'll be there for photos and to cheer us on. I could get used to this winning stuff, even if I have to get sunburned every week.