Uni Enter the Slaughter House and Return (almost) Unscathed - Uni v Hobart 1st August 2020

Well, it was a sparkling day at the War Memorial Ground at the entrance to the Hutchins School, to where the Uni of Tas Rugby Union Football Club XV were invited.

It can not be assumed just because it was Hobart Club's home ground that they would have a home advantage. But they did.

No doubt Hobart had more possession and more activity in our 22, but they made little advantage with it. When they spilled or we took advantage, we made good play and teased the score up to equal.

In the end however, as the sun dipped behind West Hobart early on this winter day, and the shadows grew longer and darker, the malevolence of Smaug assisted Hobart to take out the game by 2 tries.

Of concern late in the first half was our player Dan, who ended up with a compression fracture of T6 vertebra. Safe, stable and no surgery intervention, he will sit out for a while whilst it heals, and we wish him all the best for speedy recovery.

Whilst a risk of the game, it is never what anyone wants, the pleasure of participation, engagement at high level, and trying one's hardest against equivalent foe is sufficient.

Scenes from the day:

Former President of the Tasmanian Rugby Union, S Timothy Oxley, discusses,with good humour, the reality of pain, suffering and orgasmic experience with former coach of the TURUFC Shelby. "What Pain?" I enjoyed it - he said. You gave more than you took. Thank you.

A long line of Rugby spirit sifts through these bones. Another great energy placed within the Uni Rugby Club as coach from Hendo. You might not know, but you should he is related by marriage to the sister of the infamous Angus. Dirty Angus. 

But that is not to the point. Here is Hendo with child, enjoying with great spirit the game of the day. Meanwhile, he is now a free agent advising on planning issues in the Kingborough area.

Treasurer. Ready to pierce a lung or heart with a stiff metal sword into the body of he President - if he (or she) should not look after the long term financial aspects of the club, and the bar.

Thanks Bede Donnelly for taking on the responsibility. We know our money is in good hands.

And Glynn Phillips: former treasurer. You came down from Queensland, and savoured the cold, welcomed the warm bod of a Tasmanian woman. And stayed. A  trustworthy soul, and heart of the 21st century TURUFC.

It was a long weekend that the Irish and the Kube spent in the central highlands. Whiskey helped. But truly they continue to share  the indomitable spirit. Thank you Kube for being a leader by example of humility. Thank you for the Irish for demonstrating time and tiem again, that nothing is more important that human connection.

Richard; you weren't called to the ground to care for our injured, but thank you for so doing. It is a dangerous game. It will happen. We will minimise the adverse consequences. But we can not be totally isolated. 

Winkle: your grace, good humour, and generosity of spirit warms the club's purpose. Now 30 years on, TURUFC members know not what you say, not what you mean, but that you mean it well and with love.

Just before the game. That moment. No one else matters. You want to be on the paddock. You want to do well. You rely on each other. There is almost no other example like it in life.

Split. Find your spot. Get ready to cfuck the devil. Those bastards. We don't hate them if they lose. But we must challenge them, and win (within the laws) at all costs. And at the end, respect for our own effort, and for theirs.

31st man. Jimmy is a lovely referee. He is dedicated, and humble. It is a hard gig to know the law and enforce it. Not everyone understands the situation.

Hunt, hunt

Is that the time or the scoreboard? Thankfully  - the time left for the first half

No doubt the bastards (and I mean that most genuinely) were better than us in the line-outs. But where are we to spend our remedial time? Hayes Goal Farm? Ashley Detention Centre?  

Purists of the scrum, will answer that the scrum 'is not well formed'. Well I say, you win some or you whine some.

And out it goes. The ball sped quickly through the backs, and engagement was saveage but fair. We caught them cross footed, but they too us. I see the future: "someone in our back line who will cut through like butter through mice" [sorry, knife through butter].

Try! Bugger them

Snodders. A man at peace. Wearing the colours Because he wishes to do so. In our day, having Snodders on your team was sometimes as bad as having against you. He was so ferocious, that he bit the eggs out of the womb of Glenorchy or Easts players.  And sometimes left his own team-mates prostrate.

Read, set, get the fuck into it. What a powerful pack we have. That is the engine room. Without the ball, it is all over. Before it starts. 

Just before being called on as a finisher the Wombat spreads his legs and clears himself ready to challenge all comers. Thanks Wombat. A great example of commitment.

Kick that one over. Yes.

Coach. Coach. President. Continuity.

The scoreline is just part of the game.