Match Report
ACT Vets Fools Day Festival - Saturday 27 March 2010
In its 11th year, the festival brings together a wealth of veterans rugby talent. Teams this year included the Bega Valley Blue Veins, Jindabyne Sore Boars, Cooma Crumbies, Vincentia Van Gones, Hall Bushed Rangers, RAAF Mirages and the Vets. An accommodation shortage caused some to miss this year’s illustrious rugby event, but rest assured they’ll be back playing next year.
The crowd oohed and aahed at the pace, prowess and skill levels on display as well as the physiques that seem to be popping up all over. All those “training sessions” of runs around the oval, then sinking a few beers, is obviously paying off.
Classic bruising, running rugby at its best saw two early ambo trips for a couple of fellas. Early reports indicate a long road to recovery.
In the first game of the day the Mirages were off to a flying start with some fast paced free flowing rugby with Craig “cool runnings” Heap making plenty of ground only to crash and burn on re-entry into the try zone.
Barrel, or should we now call him Keg due to his rapidly shrinking physique, once again was at his brilliant best, taking out the opposition with a blinding tackle on the sideline, only to come off second best with a bloodied face that looked like he’d done a round or two with Ali.
The Blue Veins’ Scotsman, Henry Dodds, blazed a trail with his pink headgear (autographed I might add by Martin Johnson, current English coach). A Scotsman wearing pink headgear signed by an English coach; where’s the line on that one. I also thank the Blue Veins for enlightening this match day reporter about what’s worn under a Scotsman’s kilt? Nothing, it’s all in perfect working order!
Cooma’s Mick Mayhew was the “accidental hero” of the day scoring the match winning try in the last game of the day by intercepting a pass and running, yes running, 30m to get over the stripe. Things people will do to finish the game early so that they can rehydrate.
President Pudge presented the new Cosgrove Shield for great sportsmanship to the Jindabyne Sore Boars. Jindy had a few stars on the day; “Junior” for apparently copping a smack in the mouth to shut him up, “Fridge” for coming out of retirement for the day, and the Jindy president is apparently not allowed to kick off anymore.
It was back to Olims to celebrate the day’s festivities and relive some of those classic hits. John “Sol” Solari and Rob “Chop” Hunter were in fine form cooking up a storm on the barbeque. These two could well be contenders on the next series of My Kitchen Rules.
Wendy Petty - Fools Day Festival Reporter
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