Fixtures and Results for Kuttabul Camelboks

The Camelboks were looking for some divine assistance when they called upon Pastor Manasa Delanimate from the Mackay Multi-Cultural Church to lead the players in pre-match prayer. Pastor Manasa's words seemed to have the desired effect as the Boks started well, driving the Brothers team quickly onto their line. Unfortunately for the Kuttabul momentum, the Brothers flyhalf was knocked unconscious when he clashed heads with Mitchy Brown. The delay saw Brothers regroup and Kuttabul had to build pressure once again.

The tactical scourge of the the Tri-Nations of kicking every possession deep into enemy territory was adopted by Brothers and seemed to be paying early dividends, with kicks finding the ground on occasions and helping them to territory. The young back three of Benny Grandclaudon, Pete Michelmore and Ratu Delanimate soon adjusted and started to return the balls with interest. There is no substitute for speed and the broken chasing line of Brothers started to pay when Delinamate took the line on.

The first try came in the 15th minute of the game when Louis Kern split the defence in his own quarter and raced 60m  down field. The resulting tackle saw Kuttabul receive a penalty and opt for a scrum. Logan Gardiner took the ball from the back to within a metre of the line before play broke down and the ball was kicked back to Ratu. Breaking the defence open, Ratu combined with Savvy Tawake who in turn found a rampaging Mitch Brown. Brown outpaced the cover and raced in next to the corner post. Benny's kick was unsuccessful, but Kuttabul would play from in front with a 5-0 lead.

7 minutes latter the Boks were in again courtesy of some Ratu Delanimate magic. A clearing kick by half Glenn Anderson found the ground after a mix up with the Brothers fullback and winger. Ratu was the only Kuttabul chaser and the ball was tap straight into his arms. Needing no further instruction, Delanimate showed great footwork and speed to beat both defenders twice before racing in next to the corner flag. Benny's kick was once again le shite and the Boks were out to 10-0

Kuttabul's last try for the half was worth the admission price alone, with a length of the field effort that saw the ball swing through all sets of hands in the back line. With a good display of speed and skill, all the backs were involved for the 80 metre try. The play almost broke down when Mitch Brown was hit high, but he was able to shrug it off and unload to a galloping Ben Grandclaudon. Benny threw an extravagent pass to link with Ratu Delanimate and the folks on the hill put down their glasses, well in the knowledge that no-one has yet run down Ratu. Benny opened his account with the booted and Kuttabul's lead was 17-0 at oranges.

With a mindset of wanting to improve on their first half, Kuttabul's best intentions were thwarted when Brothers toed through a lose ball and won the chase. The conversion and a subsequent penalty had the Brethern to within striking distance at 17-10. Needing to hit straight back, Damian Royan took the reins and his quick tap from a short arm was backed up by Usaia Tawakeava. Usaia's fast feet and strong fend had the Brothers defence in disarray when Benny Grandclaudon chimed in, bursting onto an offload and racing in under the posts. Converting his own try, Benny stretched the lead to 24-10.

Best for the Bok's were forwards Logan Gardiner and Barry Bourne. Barry's effort was particularly satisfying being a late inclusion after spending 5 weeks out with injury. With hardly a single player numbered 9-15 having a quiet game, the back line made some considerable contributions to the victory. Once again the Fijian pair of Usaia and Ratu proved hardest to contain, especially the Kuttabul number 10, who had a mighty game. In two short seasons at Kuttabul, Usaia Tawakevau has won the 2008 Representative Player of the Year, the prestigious 2008 Kuttabul Players Player Award, inducted into the kuttabul Team of the Century and now help guide the club through an undefeated season and to the 2009 Grand Final match. Not bad.

Although Brothers scrum gained a points descision, they looked outclassed across the field and will have a tough assignment next week when they take on Slade Point in a knockout qualifier.

The good news for the Bok's is that they received no injuries from the match and should be further strengthened with the availability of key forwards Oscar Manu, Chris Kneipp and Robby Moloney.

1. Savvy Tawake
2. Ivan Tito
3. Scott Dean
4. Damian Royan
5. Alex Bourne
6. Aubrey Sheridan
7. Louis Kern
8. Logan Gardiner
9. Glenn Anderson
10. Usaia Tawakevua
11. Ratu Delanimate
12. Nigel Neame
13. Mitch Brown
14. Pete Michelmore
15. Ben Grandclaudon

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