Fixtures and Results for Kuttabul Camelboks

With the opportunity to wrap up the Minor Premiership, Kuttabul started the match poorly with an error from the kick-off followed by a full arm penalty. The shot at goal went wide and the slow starting Camelboks were able to regrouped.

With a 20+ knot wind at the Bok's back, the Kuttabul team were able to gain the field position it needed to launch an attack on the Brothers line. The perfect opportunity presented itself with a scrum mid-field on the Brothers 22m line. Louis Kern took the ball from the back of the scrum and made good inroads into the Brethern defence. Otago lock Aubrey Sheridan loomed on the outside and linked perfectly for a charging Damian Royan. Even trimmed down to 125kg, Royan still proved too big to hold out.

Kern's good work at the back of the scrum continued when he was able to take the ball from the next restart. A 60m tackle-breaking run followed and Kuttabul were desperately unlucky not to score when the support positioned themselves on the wrong side of the number 8.

The French backrower was at it again soon after and this time his run from the back found the ever-present Usaia Tawakeuau. Dancing his way through the Brothers defence, Usaia was able to run in for his first for the day. Benny Grandclaudon converted to give the Bok's a 12-0 lead early in the match.

Brothers stayed in the contest with a good kicking game into the wind that found plenty of open spaces behind the Kuttabul line. Brothers defence on the fringe of the ruck also gave the flat flooted runners of the Bok's no free passage up the field and when the troops started dropping, the Camelbok supports could sniff an upset.

First to go was crowd favourite Oscar Manu. The explosive Fijian prop was momentarily replaced by Bails who went down at the next scrum. From the restart of play Barry Bourne injured a quad and was helped from the field. Certainly the only Kuttabul supporter with a smile at this stage was 3 year old Cooper Spencer, who was able to push his Tonka Truck onto the middle field with each break for injury.

Kuttabul were able to swing momentum back their way when boom winger Ratu Delimante was able to burst down the left side. A perfect inside pass sent the support to the try line, only to be called back by the touch judge for grazing the line. Soon after Usaia Tawakeuau split the Brothers mid-field defence and found Mike Entwistle in support. Mike's try was converted by Benny for a 19-0 half time lead.

Turning into a huge wind, the under-manned Camelboks knew they would have a game on ther hands. Pressure from the fired up Bok's saw the Brothers team pinned in their half and a timely penalty gave the Kuttabul team a great attacking platform. The lineout 10m from the Brothers line allowed the Camelboks backs to stage a beautiful set piece play with blindside winger Ratu Delimante linking with Usaia Tawakeuau. Light feet and a strong fend was enough to position the support player and Chris was able to dot the ball down under the posts.

At 26-0 and with Kuttabul hooker Chris Kneipp in the bin, Brothers capitalised on a series of penalties to score their first try. This was followed by the injury to Mike Entwistle and once again Kuttabul had lost their mojo. With a howling wind ripping through Kuttabuls now empty dugout, it looked as if Brothers were going to exact some retribrution for some of the previous pain inflicted by the Bok's. So it was that Usaia Tawakeuau lifted the team with a solo 60m try against run of play. If there has been a better broken field runner play in this competition, I have yet to see him.

Brothers had the last say with a try from a error late in the game. The final whistle blew with the scores at 31-12.

Best for the Bok's was the mercurial Usaia Tawakeua at flyhalf with 2 tries, numerous line breaks and stiff defence. The platform was laid by the Kuttabul pack who aimed up against the bigger hard running Brothers pack. Young lock Aubrey Sheridan didn't look out of place and showed plenty of ticker after clocking up 120 minutes of rugby for the day. Louis Kern was at his damaging best with some long line breaks that lead to tries. Mike Entwistle had a mighty game and it was evident with the prolonged ovation he recieved from the Brothers pack when escorted from the field. Very few players can force respect upon the opposition but it seems Mike has made his mark in the competition. Reserve centre Chris had a great game and also clocked up plenty of minutes. Chris carries the ball into the defensive line with very little regard for his well being and was rewarded with a fine try.

Tries: Damian Royan (1), Usaia Tawakeuau (2), Mike Entwistle (1), Chris (1)     Conversions: Ben Grandclaudon (3/5)

Next week the Camelboks are at home at Lions Park for a full day of rugby (Old Boys, Walla-Rugby, 2nd's and 1st XV plus camel rides and jumping castle) The match will be followed by a rugby dinner featuring World Cup winning Wallaby Rod Moore and the announcement of the Kuttabul Team of Living Memory.

1. OSCAR MANU
2. CHRIS KNEIPP
3. SCOTTY DEAN
4. DAMIAN ROYAN
5. AUBREY SHERIDAN
6. ROB MOLONEY
7. MIKE ENTWISTLE
8. LOUIS KERN
9. GLENN ANDERSON
10. USAIA TAWAKEUAU
11. RATU DELIMANTE
12. BARRY BOURNE
13. CALUM McCONNELL
14. MARK WALKER
15. BENNY GRANDCLAUDON

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