Fixtures and Results for Kuttabul Camelboks

Kuttabul's victories over the competition benchmark Slade Point are few and far between. So it was a day to savour when the 2nds won their grand final replay and the 1sts also went on to win impressively.

After a 20 minute feeling out period where Kuttabul gained the better of the field position, Ben Grandclaudon was given the chance to open the scoring with a long range penalty attempt. From 40m out and close to the sideline, Benny's kick fell inches short. The Camelboks supporters are getting used to the sight of Usaia Tawaeuau, wind in his dreadlocks running freely in open space, so it came as no surprise when soon after, he sliced through the Slade Point mid-field. Support loomed left and right and Usaia choose to go to The Cougar who raced 30m to score under the sticks. Benny added the extras for a 7-0 lead.

Mitchy Brown was the next to open Slade Point's mid-field up when he was on the end of a selective pass from Usaia. Mitch's clean break was backed up by Kuttabuls mobile prop Oscar Manu. With balls skills that most backs can only dream about, Oscar positioned fellow prop Scotty Dean and hit him with a deft flick pass. Scotty was able to draw the last of the Slade Point defenders before off loading to the ever present Usaia Tawaeuau to score in the corner. Benny was unsuccessful with the kick and Kuttabul sat down for oranges leading 12-0

The crowd were still taking their places from the break when Slade Point's restart ended in the arms of French import and crowd favourite Louis Kern. In a scene straight from an U8's match, Louis ran straight through the Slade Point pack before beating the cover for pace and scored under the posts. His size defies his strength but there is no denying his courage when he carts the ball up into the opposition defenders. Compatriot Benny Grandclaudon added the extras to get the Camelboks out to a 19-0 lead early in the second half.

10 minutes into the half, Kuttabuls in-form number 8 Barry Bourne retired with a knee injury.. The Bok's welcomed back Pita Beraciri who came off the bench for the Cougar. The game see-sawed for the next 20 minutes before Kuttabuls inside centre received a red card for a high tackle. First contact appeared to be on the shoulder but the Slade Point player need to be replaced and that left the refferee in no doubt as to the colour of the card. Minutes latter Slade Point's hard running prop Tekki Taufa'ao crashed over to open the two blue's account. The unerring boot of Matt Ramsamy narrowed the gap to 19-7

Slade Point weren't able to consolidate their try and it was Kuttabul that were the next to score. The front row of Manu, Anderson and Dean were able to apply pressure to the opposition scrum and forced an error at the scrum base. Justin Craib was able to secure the ball and off load to Luois Kern, who once again showed good pace to race 20 metres for his second try. Benny converted for a 26-7 lead.

Slade Point were able to bounce back and added a second converted try while Kuttabul were down to thirteen players when Justin Criab was yellow carded for a professional foul. He had only just returned when Kuttabul's hard working open-side flanker Hugo Ross was given his marching orders for an infringement at the ruck. Despite the shortage of green jerseys on the field, Usaia was able to orchestrate another try when he wrapped Mitch Brown and scored. The kids on the score board were able to head up to the club house to collect their can of coke and packet of chips after posting the final score of 33-14.

Although no-one turned in a bad game, Kuttabuls coaching staff awarded points to Scotty Dean (1), Mitch Brown (2) and flankers Dan Ireland and Hugo Ross (3). Other players to impress were Louis Kern and Usaia Taweuau.

Tries: Alex Bourne (1), Usaia Tawaeuau (2), Louis Kern (2) Conversions: Benny Grandclaudon (4/6)

1. Oscar Manu
2. Glen Anderson
3. Scotty Dean
4. Jake Sullivan
5. Louis Kern
6. Dan Ireland
7. Hugo Ross
8. Alex Bourne
9. Justin Craib
10. Usaia Tawaeuau
11. Benny Grandclaudon
12. Vila Apu'ula
13. Mitch Brown
14. Neil Willis
15. Nigel Neame
16. Pita Beraciri

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