[updated 1500hrs Sunday 16th]
The day was book-ended by marvelous, rapturous enthusiasm in the changerooms, and the spirited boat race in the clubrooms. But between the two, was a memorable and fantastic day for our sport, our club and Rugby.
Comment from old scholars, however, must be taken on board, and work continued to pursue it: N W Dunstan of Melbourne: "It's nice to win a game every now and then".
Unlike the usual stuff you get at work - "You've let me down, you've let your mother down, but worst of all, you have let you BOSS down" - there was none of that today.
A wet and humid day at home, slippery under foot, a perfect green paddock, and a garrulous audience - The Uni Rugby Club team, finishers, supporters and lovers - all had a late winter orgasm.
You don't get the opportunity to join and bond together in harmony at all times of your life. But in the changerooms at the Lower Campus, these heart rending echoes of chorus against the opposition and for yourself and team mates - it doesn't get better than that.
Yes, it does. After the match when who has won and lost goes down in the record books for posterity, the players can safely state, firmly, 'we did our best, we put in our effort' - and so the last draught of the boat race spills down the many chins of the chosen ones.
It was bluebell time in Kent - the flowers were blooming, lovers were left languishing around the hearth. The men donned their scrottii holders and head guards, their strap ons and their fake moustaches - they plead for space on the field, and shared it with a full team and complement of finishers - the game was about to begin
Just because one Vice Chancellor tried to sell off our ground and pissed off to South Australia and is under investigation for misconduct - doesn't mean we should let up in any way our feeling of time and space: this is Our University. It is our Game. It is Our Rugby Ground. We invite Our Friends to play
No dogs? What if you could't score last night in the pub?
And now, the new youth - there are awards for beards. Why not!
Since Webb- Ellis plucked the ball up and went to the South Sea Islands and found himself unable to hold it against much stronger and agile foe, we have needed a referee to preserve the game from imbalance.
Thanks again to Jimmy Hobden for being that balancing artiste.
He had a few to deal with too. There was mischief on the sideline, and it spilled over onto the paddock. One spectator had to be chided for what is colloquially called 'abuse'. Excessive ebullient behaviour. But Jimmy knew it for what it was, and let it pass, like a fart in the wind.
How great to have Ellis Cox behind the bar - his eyes bled from smiling. Beer: $3 if you pay your subs ($50). So instead of $5, I only have to drink 25 beers and I've broken even. "You do the math"
It was tremendous to have some parents or family members (any difference?) of players on the side. Bob Maloney was here to support his son Sam, playing in the 2nd row.
How does Sam play Bob? "Well, he's a bit old and his wife thinks he should retire". 38, just a kid. Welcome Bob, enjoy the game? "You bet"
Miles Flanagan arrived on the first convict ship and is still in the clubrooms soaking up Ellis's $3 beers. "You do the math". Well done Miles, terrific to have you enjoying the game.
Kube: Patron Kube, and Lil was there too, with a new hairstyle. She said "I don't want to look like my husband". Fair enough.
Also on the side were the mum and dad of Jack Woolcock (hooker). Kelly said "but I don't run under the same surname - would you?".
I had to ask Mike Woolcock what it was about "Wool Cock" that she resisted. He was candid and honest - "They call me sheep dick, I can understand why my wife doesn't want to carry that one around with her".
Up jumped a jumbuck, jumped into my tucker bag, down came the troopers, one, two, three....
I asked Mike what his son Sam was good at (meaning, on the field) but he was quick to reply "Talking".
Merv Simmons came down from the Glebe, happy to see his son Richard take the field. "Richard's carrying a bit of gut, but who am I to talk" said Merv. Indeed.
FAbulously well stocked bar
Let the game commence.
They can't do this in some other sports, or places. Shake hands, respect, welcome
An up they jumped. Candid comment after the match was that neither team was predominant in the line outs: viz, equal error ridden.
But Devonport truly showed a burst of energy for the first 30 minutes, and took the lead by 3 tries (all converted) to 1 try for Uni (converted). It felt like it might continue like that into the second half, but enthusiastic words from Coach Matt Jensen fired Uni up, and they came out blasting, and pulled the next try almost immediately - converted, we were within striking distance of a clawback
Below: apparently gets you nowhere, but then there are the All Blacks.... On the other hand, it is the Captain's duty to inform the ref of misconduct by opponents, and to seek a psychological engagement - with a view to winning. But Jimmy is wise enough to encourage that cool heads will prevail, but he had to be told: "It was a bloody high tackle, and could have been dangerous"; but we got the try, and no injury.
Above: Both Zac and Harry migrated from Antarctica Penguins this year - Zac brings a bit of that Rugby skill from Brisbane, from marist Brothers College Ashgrove - a long line of linkage to Tas Uni Rugby: same as (and don't mention them all in the same breath) the McCaffreys, Coach (and earlier in his career, playmaker) Matt Jensen, but with the skill of Danny Herbert and Brendan moon, John Eales.. [so they say]
Below: Referee's Supremo, engineer Ron Bessell, was watching closely and analysing Hobden's work. "All good" he concluded. He put his spreadsheet and gantt chart away, the pluses outnumbered the minii
Below: Storming out as Uni make their conversion. "Ahha: Too late she cried". A conversion by Josh May - right from the audience side.
And the "Ahha" - too late etc has a long history: try this as a sample:
"Aha!" she cried and waved her wooden leg,
And jumped in bed,
And covered up her head,
And swore that I could not find her.
But I knew damn well
That she lied like hell,
So I jumped in right behind her.
It was a happy scene in the rain and mud on the side of the paddock. Percy Smith and Jude Ball, commenting on Merv's head gear, with Lil Kube asking "how about those Japs -lucky we beat them in the war". Today being the anniversary of their vanquishment in the 2nd WW, "Konichiwa" - they decided to go to the Japanese restaurant in Davey Street to celebrate.
But back to the action...Another try to Uni coming up -but in the greasy conditions the scoring see-sawed, and - Devonport ended up 'on top' at the final whistle
Image (above): from the stern: Captain Zac Pregnell number 8. Ed Jones at 22 (a position not known to ordinary men, yet, arguably best player. "What makes a man that?" I asked the sideline committee: "Willingness up front, able to take direction and guide others, forethought, but also inspirational play - seeing the gaps and backing one's judgment". Such depth of knowledge...
Resting between scrums the forwards had a lackadaisical day, at times.
Below: "Watch your fist" said the Devonport number 1 to his team mate, 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Finger' - John Hopoate
Image below: Tom doubles as "The Butcher of Sandy Bay" - well not really a war crime. A good game Tom.
Harry had plenty of ball from his talented backs, and spun it wide, took a few chances, won some and lost some. C'est la vie
Ready to leap 10 feet tall. Winner of last year's Best Beard awards
Image below: Hayden Beattie ready to propel captain Zac ("Captain Jack, I'll get you high tonight, and take you to your special island...").
Lehm Talty in the background readying for the spin out, and to do something inspirational with it: "What?" He said. The sideline committee replied "Inspirational, if we knew, it wouldn't be so"
Notwithstanding no 'bubble' we have let one New Zealander into the country. Because he can cook. Some say he can laugh at himself too. That overstates it. But it is a complement to Uni rugby that 'Barge-Arse Burgess' and Dean de Meyer prefer our quality of game to the All Blacks
Thoughtful or demented? Dave Kilpatrick wonders himself
And back to the game...
Image: below: Ed Jones ready to pounce: Jimmy scrutinsing for offside risk. Josh May at 15 - a very good day on the boot Josh, well done. Reuben Bruce at 25, and tom Kendall playing on the flank
Devonport 'most played ever' Clyde Eastaugh, first played first grade back in 1963 at Clare Street, and played 12,000 first grade games for Devonport.
Yes, he is pure blonde, but he's not on his Pat Malone
Former Taroona and Glen Dhu 'side of the scrum' merchant Tony Price has lied his way back to get into Tasmania whilst the Kingdom of Victoria is falling to its knees. "I see great opportunity in Hobart" said Pricey. Indeed.
Now the game is dissected, desecrated and degenerate with clubroom wisdom.
The Devonport club were made welcome, and Matt and Katie Jensen put on a fabulous spread of food for our guests.
Ruby and brother Harry- another great day in the mud, the rain, the spit, the grime. And that's just Ruby before she left home. It was different on the green green grass of Uni
Nachos for friends
Club rooms spread, Nick Kendall and wife Paula, Lehm, Harry, Hamish McLean,winger improving every week, Angus Peters Vice Captain and number 9, his partner Lauren Ph D student, Amanda
Above: Rudy Matoy Naukomatau, on the mic (studying at the Consevatorium de Music) with Jarrad Mabo also at the Con playing tight head and Tom Kendall.
So that was rugby for the day. Uni didn't win - but it was still a heap better then Aussie rules where these type of birds are emblematic of mischief.
Next week: Uni at home v Glenorchy at 3pm
