Unquenchables v Eltham

Venue Eltham
Weather Hot and smokey
Pitch Fast and green
Score 52 -52
Ref Batesy
Capt (Nat) Mainwaring
Man of the match all 9 for turning up

Valentine's Day dawned warm and smokey and just got hotter. Again the magnificent 7 (plus 2) set out to not only represent the Quenchies, Victoria Masters but also the Box Hill club at the Eltham Bushfire Appeal 10s.

As usual, at 5 mins to KO Burdett and Andrews were looking anxiously at the various carparks for support. For a while it looked like the stupid 2 were going to take the field against the Eltham 37, 3 mins later we had 7 and 4 supporters. On the sideline,supporting the Club's effort, we had Lance Ward (I would play but I have a sore foot- and where's Birdy?) his Dad from Denmark (I would but Lance won't lend me his boots) and his 12 year old daughter (Dad please I want to play!!). Jim Halls (I have a plane to catch tomorrow) Tony Laycock (I'm with Jim) and it says in the Ref's handbook that Refs do not take the field in Temp over 20 Degs. Mike Maskery (What!!) and Greg Joubert V. Pres ( sorry I'm management).

We recruited a tall Sth. African ref and he played well for the first half and was replaced by Batesy for the second half leaving us with a 5' 2" lineout. First half started (by them) fast and furious,we didn't think it was a serious game, Eltham were up 14-0 by the 7 min mark and then after a rollicking by Capt Mainwaring we dug in and ran in 3 unconverted tries to turn around 15-10 at the break. The crowd was enthralled by our skills and execution.

Stars of the first half were Nathan (in full flight), Burdett (in.... well!) Chris Peugeot (creamed twice-- as usual), 'Bargearse' Fuller (rampaging all day) Tautau (so-so .. bring on Bayles) Ramage (got through 1st half unscathed) and Stuie (bring on Grace, a lot tougher).

Second 10 mins, after another 47 degs blistering by Mainwaring we hit out straps, 'Slow' Eddie had a 15yr old flyer inside him who gave him a mouthful for not keeping up, (Old man) Tautau switched on the zip-zip after an urging from Bayles to ' put in dad ', Ramage put the kick, after a gobfull from Lance, back in the kitbag and Robbie Deans at last took a step up from All Blacks to Quenchies and looped for 2 tries. Eltham were still playing serious Rugby with old man Lou Sattler running in 3 hard earned tries at the final, and welcomed, whistle to end up a 52-52 draw.

Burdett got a rousing reception at the end of play from players and the crowd for bravely staying on the pitch with a slightly grazed knee

A replay is planned, with full Master's commitment, next year with a cup presentation.

Scores tries ; Nat Banks 2 Burdett 1, Deans 2, Fuller 1 Andrews 1 Ramsden 1 Ramage 1, Eddie 1, Cons Tautau 1 from 10

After game drinks supplied by Eltham were very welcomed as was the organisation and the endeavour by the Club to support their near neighbours who have been stricken by the fires. A good effort and well done Eltham.

The beers kept rolling until Pete had to leave 'I have a boyfriend coming over tonight !!' and Jim ' I'm off tomorrow to Hong Kong and a lonely flat by myself ' poor dear. A special thanks to Brian from E.Hills/Maroondah, a great game by him for us although he plays better against us.

Until March 18th Hori