Stunning Rugby for the Watching - Uni Red v Taroona Penguins at Home, 29 August 2020

 First things first; no covid remedy yet, so please continue with the beer supplement - not illegal, and helps dull the pain, without any adverse effect. Compared to injecting detergent.

Image: Ewan Bennett and son, not listening to the 
Taroona coach generously acknowledging his own teams efforts, which did in fact preclude a Uni victory.

Wombat: the scoreline? "When I came on as a finisher, I stemmed the tide. The Penguins had 4 tries up and a couple converted. We needed to 'steady'. And we did, shortly followed by a beautiful pirouette by Jack The Other Butcher of Sandy Bay and clean straight running throught the Blue loosies, and scored under the posts.

Merv: "In my day, forwards didn't touch the ball...."

There's an atmosphere in the clubrooms after a match. Unless there has been serious injustice, there are smiles all round. 

Except if you are the treasurer and wondering where the money has gone. Thanks Bede Donnelly for now many years of service to the club, from playing in the 1990s before you went to Sydney to push shares around via the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang: viz Bell Potter.

Taroona at the speeches. A fair summary. Realistic acknowledgment of their defeats by Devonport the week before - they present as solid opposition

Coach Jensen with Katie - thanks Katie and your mum Sue for putting on the luncheon for Ladies Day. They very much enjoyed the food, fantastic weather, and the contest on the green green grass.

Matt is thinking, thinking - all the time. You are pulling them together and it was a good effort today. Indubitably our defence was superb, but with punishment ongoing, the Blues had to sneak through a few times.

Now we don't normally put photos of former New Zealanders up but Barge Burgess is a great contributor to the club - keeping the fine cuisine for special occasions, we are very fortunate the extradition failed

Former Taroona front row, Jack Black, (sorry, Justin Black) taking time out to listen to your scribe and laughing generously at the wisdom and wit

Mike and Half. Although not a win, an honest game by both

Richard very nearly got sent from the field for his mischief making, but he had the better of the psychological battle with the ref. Indeed, the Ref appeared likely to walk and give himself a red card

Jack, relatively new to the game, but that is the smile of a first time try scorer. Well done Jack. You will remember that for the rest of your life. Running straight, in the middle, pushing opponents away, and under the posts - YAY! 

Angus and Nigel manned the bar and served up the sauce to the thirsty.

After the Women's 7s contests during the earlier part of the day, we had the company of a few Burnie former players and supporters. Pictured here is Zif Arnold,  Quins and Burnie.

Zif reminded us of the bit of cheek he delivered to the ref in his time:

Referee Ron Bessell to Zif: "You, any more of that backchat, and I'll send you from the field".

Zif to Ron: "What do you think I said?"

Ron: "You said "Open your eyes you dickhead"

Zif: "How did you know I was talking to you?" - indeed.

Taroona had no difficulty winning their own ball.

Phil Gee, from the 1975-83 era and a serious cause of our 1978 Grand Final Victory - chatted about his early High School trip to Sydney - from Taroona High School, learning from Matraville High (breeding ground of the Ellas) and Randwick Rugby

Phil rightly commented that the match was like World War 1 battle in the trenches. There is no doubt it was a torrid defensive game by Uni - with Taroona perched in our 22 for too much - but penetrating less than might have been expected.

Defence defence defence. Then Richard Simmons complained of scraping by the Blues' half, raking him on the back, and spoiling the cut of his jersey.  

Back at the clubrooms, the ladies were at times more sporting than the players

Now here is the indefatigable Mart Kruup. Mart played first for Uni of Tas Rugby in 1970 in the under 19 team, coached by accounting lecturer  (and New Zealander) Pete Byers, and Jules Amos (at one time President of the club). Mart is not from the infamous Kruup Industries, rather is from Estonia, his parents from Tallinn. Mart was a very useful forward player, of the same ilk as Merv. Once, when handed the ball in the clubrooms after the game Mart said "Heavy, isn't it". 

One way to win a scrum. Play your own team.

New club member and returned from injury, Michael Donnellin, represented on the side of the field by Sally and child (wrapped in the gear). "Mike needs to have a trot around to work off a bit of the pork" Sally informed your correspondent. All good at home?

The 6 Ps: Prior preparation prevents piss poor performance

 Phil Stary, and Lyndall Mann - enjoyed the sideline committee overruling the referee. Phil played in the 1970s and coached the Uni side for a few years. Well known for positivity and a clear grasp of the laws, all that knowledge is now otiose

Guarding the entry to the Uni lower campus precinct were turncoat Gavin Watts father of Taroona player Rees. Gav was a studious Uni player in the 1980s, and his sage preparation saved his ears. A true story: in the changerooms before the game in 1982, Gav called out "Bugger, I've forgotten my tampons, has anyone got any?" One of the older players said "yes, I've got a couple in the car", and brought them in. Gav strapped them between his ears and the tape and avoided cauliflowers.Not so stupid

Pictures with Gav is former referee and sometime coach Colin Debnam, a well earned right to be on the side and not in the middle of the paddock. Also, Adam Ranui, onetime great of the Taroona great teams of the 1970s and 80s.

A couple from the archive:

Back in 1979, Boss John Deeley, a South African and fabulous half back, with Dave Sullings, at the old Rugby Park change rooms. Boss John died suddenly that year, and the Club established the Deeley Trophy for significant contribution to the TURUFC. Dave was a very hard and focused forward, with a wry dry wit - often missed by his opponents. 

Thanks to Andrew Hoffmann in Sydney for sharing this photo: I think it was "Around the World By Beer" - and a Conga line of Uni Rugby - I'd say probably 1987, some people a little hard to see, but: Knuckles Broadby, Hoffy, Captain and Coach (no easy feat) Josh Carmody, Nick W Dunstan, Stau Saipai, XX, Gavin Rahn, Trent Moore, Andrew Roberts, Simon Wilding, Ken Jagger, Frank Brown....

Those same genteelmen, shaping up for the team photo 1987

Next week: At Uni: Golden Oldies early match about noon, followed by Uni at home against [to be advised]