So with 2 Loosies on the Wings & only 2 Front Rowers we were all set to take on the top team in the Grade. Our attitude and effort this week was a significant improvement on last week thankfully and we showed some real grit and determination to tackle and defend our try line.
Our scrum struggled in the first half, although we stayed up, we were shunted backwards, skidding on the soft grounds. However with some real resolve we managed to keep them from scoring from a number of 5 metres scrums.
Eventually they ground us down and scored a couple of push over tries, however that seemed to be about the extent of their attack. They struggled to penetrate our backline despite a number of threatening runs. We spent most of the first 40mins pinned in our own half, however a quick reshuffle in the Forwards and a couple of tweaks here and there and we got into our work and started to get some forward momentum.
A beautiful series of offloads got us in behind their defensive line and a lovely pass to Fata put him in between the posts.
HALFTIME: Tawa 7 – 26 OBU, wasn’t such a bad place to be given the circumstances. No one would blame you for thinking that OBU might hit 50 by Fulltime, however we weren’t lying down, not today, not for OBU.
We attacked at every opportunity, threw the kitchen sink at them, not everything worked but we had a crack. OBU only managed 3 unconverted Tries in the 2nd half, which was an outstanding effort from everyone who showed some strength of character under difficult conditions.
OBU spent a lot of time patting themselves on their backs for being so outstanding, but they weren’t as clinical as they should have been given the situation.
After almost completely severing his upper arm in a construction accident in February, Jacob Mua purchased himself some brand new boots Saturday morning and was set to make his 2019 Colts debut. Helping out as Coach/Manager throughout the year, Jacob answered the call to help out on the field and was prepared to lace up. Looking a little nervous, Jacob got his opportunity with 5mins remaining. Due to difficulties with arm strength and inability to grip properly,
the Front Row (where he’s most comfortable) wasn’t really an option, so with a lack of Wingers for the day, Jacob ran out onto the Wing. The OBU Coaches and Bench all did a double take when they saw Jacob running out onto the Wing. Jacob got his hands on the ball pretty quickly and he smashed it up like a good front rower does and he was into it.
FULLTIME: Tawa 7 – 41 OBU.
We didn’t get the win but there was a good feeling about what we’d done. The smile on Jacob’s face after the game was worth gold.
We have Norths away next week to decide whether or not we make Semi’s. Sitting 4th on the table means we’re in control of our own destiny. We’re chasing a Bonus Point win, No Excuses – No Regrets.
