Norths U12 Purple 5 -19 Kenmore Black

Oh what a bitter-sweet game we play.

There is no such thing as a sure thing and the 96ers learnt this lesson on Sunday. We needed to win this match to stay alive and probably thought too little about it; in the end we played the wrong game, under-estimated Kenmore’s skills and ended up on the wrong side of the ledger.

The writing was on the wall from the kick-off, where we saw a committed Kenmore six totally dominate the break-down and consequently hand to an equally well prepared and skilful set of backs, the ball they needed to take advantage of our unwillingness to tackle. It was 7-0 after five minutes and 14-0 after 10 minutes; it was obvious we were in trouble.

A few positional switches and a hasty change in game plan ensured that North’s held fast until the break but then it was time to toss out the plan, the moves and the structure and start again. “Be natural, throw the ball around, you’ve nothing to lose” was the call from the wannabee, professional but now clueless coach – but it was way too late.

When the Kenmorians went in again it was all over but a fine kick from Ben S and an equally great chase from Ned saw purple prayers answered as we scored a great five-pointer.

That made it 19-5 and that was how the score remained until the final whistle blew and an overawed group of disbelieving purple pagans trouped from the field to face the season’s reality.

The reality was this: North’s were beaten by a better side and the character lesson learned from accepting this loss will be one of the best pieces of Rugby education that the lads will ever have.

They’ll hopefully develop a strong resolve to never again lose a “must win” game. In a day of pedestrian tackling Ben B’s bash and regather stood out for him to claim the jersey for the best defensive effort of the day. Zac was great at half-back, five-eight and centre and thoroughly deserved his one point in the best and fairest stakes.

Ben S tried all day and was strong in defence but particularly inventive in attack – he got the two points. The big effort came from Ty who excelled across the park. On a beaten team his effort was close to the best of the year; just sensational.

This week the 96ers face a personal challenge – to beat Pine Rivers! I reckon they’ll triumph and achieve this. We still have the best scrum in town (even against Kenmore, we snitched two tight heads), the best attitude and the most exciting, coach-killing Rugby style.

atch us go and see me next week; the 2015 wallabies are about to set the record straight.

We’re the 96ers, we tackle, we score We’re North’s, we’re purple and Rugby’s our law.

Marto