Hi ,
No Report last week, but hopefully make up for that this
week.
Saturday August 13 saw our Premier 2's take on Norths at Fraser Park for the Ed Chaney Cup Final. A very tough assignment on any given day, let alone a Field that looked as though a Garrison of Horses had been over it not long before we arrived. I arrived at the Park and walked across the No 1 Field which was in pristine condition, only to note as above, that the difference between 1 and 2 was vast. The Boys were
in the middle of the Field when I wandered over to wish them the best. I was rather honoured when they asked me to say a few words. I recall saying that "Coach Thomas always works on the plan of playing for today and not having concern for the next game or the outcome before it happens". I also felt it was pertinent to mention that our Boys "had Tom Walsh on their backs all season and that I felt sure he was watching from above on this day".
What a Game. Norths were fired up and attacked early, but our Boys were up to the task with great defence. It took a while of testing on both Teams part, but eventually our Boys broke through with a 17-0 lead at half time. The Boys did themselves, their Family, Whanau, Friends and Club proud - along with Tom's memory. I was privileged and humbled to once again hand over the Ed Chaney Cup to our Tawa Captain Brad and once again place the Medals on our Team's
shoulders, ably assisted by my fellow Vice-President, Alan Muir. A resounding 31-7 result. Well done Boys!
Seems appropriate to move on to our Tawa RFC Prizegiving, held at our Clubrooms last Saturday night. A number of our Players were unavailable due to Representative duties, which in turn is a very good result for a small Club with a huge heart sitting in the Suburbs. That aside, there was a very good turnout of Teams
represented by Players, Partners, Friends and Family. Every Winner on the night was supported by their Peers, without whom, there would be no Team. The evening was very well orchestrated by Club Captain Tony assisted in the techo area by Amy and Lisa. On a personal level, it is with immense pride that as President of this wonderful Club, I get to hand out the Miniatures etc, to the Recipients. It was awesome to see Charlotte honoured by the Club and by Paul McEnaney, our Patron. I have a real
good feeling about next Season, especially as we return to a semblance of order.
On Saturday I watched our Wellington Pride take on Bay of Plenty in the Farah Palmer Cup Competition. I must admit to being somewhat more than pleasantly surprised at the change in the Teams play. They are a totally different team to that which I witnessed playing against Canterbury several weeka ago. The all-round play was far superior in
every facet - tackling, defence, attack, ball skills - everything. Great result!
The next Game was Wellington Lions vs Northland. I just wonder if we did not give Northland the respect they deserved with a couple of key Players on the Bench. The Northland defence was right on the button holding us out all day. We were not out of the Game however, with three missed Penalties being the difference. It was a tough Game with half
time score same as the full time score. We are looking good and if Hawkes Bay retain the "Log O Wood", we will be up for it. By the way, great to see 3 sets of Tawa RFC Socks on the Field; Pepesana Patafilo, P J Sheck & Siale Lauaki.
Thought I would enclose a couple of photos I meant to include in my last Report. The first one shows Scott Maclaughlin in Nashville racing over the Bridge - but did Scott realise he was racing
past the Red, Gold and Blue of Tawa RFC? The other photo was taken at Phillip Island, November 2015. There was no-one else around him and he was pleased to talk to a Kiwi. Wow, how things have changed in his life! By the way, Scott came 3rd on Sunday at the Bommarito Automotive Group 500 Race in Madison Illinois. Scott Dixon came 8th. Two races left in the IndyCar series. Dixon still in 3rd place on the Championship Standings. Can Scott Dixon do it? - I think he
can.
Supercars were at Sandown. Upon arrival it was noted that Holden had 37 wins and blue badge 37 wins. With three races down for the weekend, someone had to make history. Saturdays race was won by Will Davison (*), blue badge with Shane second and de Pasquale, blue badge 3rd. Score; blue badge 38, Holden 37. Came Sunday with two Races to run. Race 25, Shane 1st, Mostert 2nd, Brown 3rd, - Podium of Holdens. Score; Holden 38,
blue badge 38 -All On!! Oh yeah, what a finale for the weekend! Shane got a good start, but Will took the lead. Shane was having nothing of that and hit the lead. After some great racing by pretty much the whole field, Shane and Will crossed the line half a second apart after 36 laps. Extraordinary!! Shane's team-mate Brock Feeney came 3rd. Score; Holden 39 blue badge 38. Fait accompli!
(*) Will Davison dedicated his Sandown
victory to late friend Paul Green. Green, an NRL premiership-winning coach passed away suddenly last week. The former North Queensland Cowboys and Queensland Origin coach was a friend of Davison. (Supercars writeup)
The All Blacks debacle seems to have settled down - at least for the time being. I think upon reflection the correct decision was made for the good of the
Team.
