by Benji Kunde
Snap, crackle and pop went the weasel, we were in for a cracker of a game. A physical fixture between two competitive outfits. The game started off with some strong carries and big hits with both teams having to really dig in to gain ground. It was a real arm-wrestle with a lot of close calls and last-minute turn overs meaning neither team could stamp their authority on the game.
After some time, the Why? See! Ay? See! team were quick to turn a mistake by the Cru into a successful point scoring opportunity to draw first blood. Yet the Cru did not lose heart, in fact they threw everything they had at the opposition defence, including the wrecking ball ‘Tally-hoe’ Tamiana. The Country Clubbers used every shoulder, knee and elbow available but ol’ ‘Tally-hoe’ absorbed them like a sturdy sandbag. The Cru attacked and attacked and built more pressure than the Reece ‘Unwritten Rule Police’ peer-pressure tactics. The backs looked smooth with a ripper of a cut-out ball from ‘Could ‘e go any ‘arder’ Kurihara Ken’s crispy grip with the only thing preventing the addition of more points being ‘Hold Your Breath’ Breifne’s untimely pull. The Cru forwards picked and went until they were spent and finally a barn-storming Brenden ‘Golden Gloves’ Gallagher trucked it over the line for the Cru to level the score. ‘Could ‘e go any ‘arder’ Kurihara added the icing and the Cru took the lead by a bee’s right on the sweet caress of halftime. The passion was palpable. The Cru halftime huddle almost lifted off into orbit.
The Cru came out all swords a swinging, with some great metres gained through Frank ‘The Tank’,Tom ‘the A-frame Pom’ and Josh ‘Moshpit’ King gallops. Our fearless Jim Barb-Leanne leader, Britt ‘The Lanky Git’, aka ol’ Crocked Honker, had some wonderful scurries around the rucks, reminiscent of a stork wading through Lilly pads (majestic stuff). The crew scrum was also looking solid as a rock with new face Frenchie, Nikola ‘Punching’ Maurin. However, the Wisey Acey team returned to the lead on the back of their bulking centre pairing drawing in multiple Cru defenders and some timely
draw passing.
The Cru responded quickly with some fantastic frolics in the backs, including some interpretive dances from Travis ‘Run Without Rhythm’ Dixon. The ball made its way to Ken again and he ducked out of a YMCA three-way and darted in for the Cru’s next try. Unfortunately, in doing so he was temporarily injured and, in his stead, young Jacob ‘Cool as Coldcuts’ Riley took the kick. The wind was out to deny him his red-tee edge and blew the kick wide. In the next period both teams were finding space through their backs. There were some hairy moments though, Jacob ‘Cool as Coldcuts’ Riley became the teams sacrificial lamb as he took two hospital passes on the chin (literally). Matt
‘Smiling Assassin’ Beasley was to blame on at least one occasion putting their ‘Jatz’ petname in question (albeit, momentarily).
The Cru defence was just holding on at this stage with Jim’s mowing service doing just that. Each hit being tallied upon his face. Eventually the Wile E Coyotes broke through the Cru wall and picked up another 5-pointer. Honouring the tit for tat structure of the game, next, it was ‘Tally-hoe’ Tamiana’s turn to lasso himself meat pie, and get the Cru’s well-worn snow peddler back in front. Ken’s limb,again, good for the extra sauce. The Cru simply needed to shut out the Yeezy Jay Z, a feat easier
planned than done. There was an anxious atmosphere now as the crew looked to lock this game away in the vault. In the end, some questionable passing from ‘Turncoat’ Tristan compiled with against-the-play turnovers put ACDC back in front yet again and the Cru against the odds. The crew fought hard to the bitter end but some final razzle dazzle from the home team exploited some fatigued Cru defence nailing that last nail into the Cru-cifixion.
No one could fault the Cru’s gallant effort that day though. A well fought tussle and inspiring send-off for our shoulderly challenged yet plentiful of neck comrade, Mr Tom Cocks (also man of the match).
