So Kapiti College Boys Rugby, under 65kg, made their debut in Division 1 this past weekend. The first ever under 65kg side to play in the top division in the history of the College. No mean feat and from the exuberance with which they “geed” each other up meant that the tension was palpable. Yip, they were now in the big leagues and what better way to test their standing in this company than tackling the elite, Wellington College 1.
Unbeaten this season in Division 1, having conceded no more than 10 odd points and scoring no less than 30 odd in any game to date. The pace setters. This was going to be akin to a small Cape Town school, say a school like Pinelands High, moving up mid-season to tackle Paarl Gym.
Half-time had parents making comments like, “Travis is playing Wellington on his own” and “Travis is keeping the boys in the game”
Imagine my pride! In an inspired tactical move during Thursday’s training, the coach switched Travis to the 15 jumper. He was really excited at the prospect and has been eyeing the position since he opted to play rugby this season. It meant that he could get involved in the teams attacks far more than from the wing and make use of his safe hands under the high or bouncing ball.
His positional play was particularly good and punished Wellington on at least 4 occasions, running the ball back incredibly aggressively, securing possession and setting up the second phase.
He was singled out by the Captain of the Wellington team after the game and congratulated on his performance. He was a pleasure to watch, excited the Kapiti supporters and had the Wellington clan swallowing hard each time he was put in possession. Two good busts through the centre from set phase rounded off the performance.
As for the team? Passion and commitment carried them for 70 minute before the well drilled Wellington started to turn their second half domination of possession into points. At 19-5 with 5 minutes to go the result was a fair reflection of the game, but a soft try, in the last minute spoilt the achievement of Kapiti in this encounter.
Two tight heads late in the game tells a story, but the lessons, if they have been learned, will stand them in good stead for the coming encounters in the top flight. This team will win a few! And there is a sense that the team are already making the improvements required to shake up this competition. I quietly hope that the coaches will now instruct the fly half to bring Travis into the game from fullback. Put him into the inside channel at pace, allowing him to run hard at the opposition half back and fly half.
So, nuff said bout dat! On the soccer field, my team remains unbeaten with a 5-1 win and Desiree’s side went down 4-1 on Sunday. The ladies are improving week-on-week and there is a camaraderie starting to develop in the squad, the starting line up is a little more settled and positional play and structure are developing. Des is now starting every game and has not been substituted in 3 games, so you can imagine the aches and pains on Monday morning! Though I should watch what I say, as my back has been sore for about three weeks now, but I will not take a break! So nuff said bout dat, too!
It is really cold today, the Southerly his howling off of snow somewhere and gloves and beanies are the order of the day. Forecast shows this will last a couple more days, so all strength to us! Brrrrrrr!
The children are all fine and Meghan is really enjoying her new role as horse minder / keeper / owner. She dutifully goes about her chores with Melba without a hint of the Meghan attitude, though she has lost none of that dry sense of humour, in fact, I believe she is honing it and developing the confidence to share it, or should I say use it!? Probably use it, as it is I who tends to be impaled on the harpoon of her wit most often.
I have been promising myself to jot down these gems, so hopefully in the next letter………..
Time runs out, again, as we approach Paraparaumu station and another day is almost done. Just the five minute bus trip home and it is family update time, dodging Meghan’s quips and savouring Desiree’s cooking……….. slobber, slobber…….. and the mandatory world cup soccer highlights at 8:30PM.