New Zealand - France.....

Unfortunately I do not possess the journalistic talent as Marcus Leach, but these words do need to be spread:

Cardiff played host to one of the great Rugby World Cup games on Saturday, regardless of your nationality. The events that unfolded in front of a sold-out Millennium Stadium will live long in the memory, for better or worse.

The overwhelming consensus is that New Zealand choked, and not for the first time in their World Cup history. That, I am afraid, is not the case.

The simple fact is France were the better team on the day. There will be a full inquest into why their coveted team lost in a World Cup quarter-final for the first time in their history, although it seems a futile exercise.

It seems it will only be done so people can hold somebody accountable for the defeat, although the departure of Graham Henry suggests that those in power are letting the blame rest firmly on his shoulders before the inquest has begun.

There comes a time however, no matter how hard it is, to put your hands up and admit you were outplayed. France may not be the better team but they played the best rugby when it counted, both with and without the ball.

Those who use 'choking' as a reason are failing to recognise the French effort and, in doing so, are casting them aside under the assumption that New Zealand only have themselves to blame for the defeat. Quite frankly that demonstrates a considerable degree of ignorance to both teams' efforts, never mind arrogance.

Admittedly a crucial decision went against them when Damien Traille slipped the ball forward to Frédéric Michalak in the build-up to the second French try. But that is not the point here, the point is that France, in the second half, played superior rugby. That is why New Zealand lost and that is what we should be focusing on, not an inquest into what went so spectacularly wrong from an All Black perspective.

Stats can often be misleading, but not in this instance. The tackle count was quite staggering, New Zealand made 36 where as France amassed a staggering 178 hits in defence. The defensive rearguard in the second half was simply amazing. On two separate occasions the French defended for at least twenty-five phases and still, somehow, kept their line in tact.

How anyone can not hail this effort, and simply dismiss it as the All Blacks choking, is unquestionably one-eyed. Add to it that for forty minutes France conceded a grand total of zero penalties and you start to appreciate the magnitude of what happened.

For the last four years we have been constantly reminded of how good the All Blacks are, or were, how they have done everything in their powers to give themselves the best possible chance of winning the World Cup. But ultimately it was not good enough on the day. For all their skill and muscle New Zealand could not match the French passion.

New Zealand played some scintillating rugby at times, showed incredible patience with the ball, but when push came to shove they were outclassed. When you give your all, every last ounce of effort, and come up short you know you have lost to the better side on the day.

To blame Wayne Barnes for their side's shortcomings is evidence enough that New Zealand fans do not want to admit they were not the best team in Cardiff on Saturday. Their record over the past four years shows us that they are the best team in the world, but it doesn't show us that France played a better game of rugby. Even the world's best teams can be beaten, as we witnessed here.

So rather than jump on the 'chokers' band-wagon, try and be realistic. It is easy to cast the All Blacks aside as chokers, but not as easy to hail the French.

Mainly because those bandying the 'chokers' tag around are bitter All Black fans, who cannot admit they were outplayed. But that is the truth, and whether you like it or not France won and rightly so.

By Marcus Leach

A truer could not be spoken.

I find ot funny however the way in which the public has had its outcry... take Mr Wayne "I can't see a forward pass" Barnes' new entry in wikipedia: http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/jpg/waynebarnes3.jpg

Just Amazing.

Fire!

Team Line Up Vs Marquad

Fatties:
Ayanda "A-Bomb" Bomb
Blake "Muffin Boy" Pengelly
Luthando - New Recruit

Tallies:
Fire
Metal Worker McConnel
Luke Skywalker
Chris Patterson

Ball Grabbers
Skye Steel
Dean "I like to read shades" Taylor
The Conqueror
Shabal/Hagrid
LG Ice Maker

Distributer
No nick name Richards
Playedlastweekplayedwellcantremembername

Kicker
Good Morning sunshine

Line Breakers
Mullethead
Scoredatrylastweekstewsfriend

Try Scorers
No sleeves - No Guns Mavis
Stew - future fire

Try Saver
Bumbledoor - cause he's old

Well boys, this is it. The last Wildboys Game under Fire! Lets Go out there and Tear Marquad a new asshole!

Fire!

There's a new kid on the block

Three amazing years and only 47 posts. Fire the foreplay is over china, welcome to the real stuff. 

Stuff too pure to be divulged to competitors. Too harsh for the eyes of woman and children. 

What kind of sex is required to produce a Wildboy.

Chino the master and conqueror of more than just the field. 

How many chunders can a big show chunder.

The internal league ban of Kenny "there is no stopping me" Kirkby was not only for his health.

Men we stand together, in our final quest to destroy not only our competitors, but too move the hearts of the spectators. We were born to conquer...

Wildboys Trounce Baa Baa's 19 - 5

Last nites game was awesome! A big well played to everyone, especially the recruits who pulled through to help out a dwindled Wildboys side! I may have arrived late but the game was still going!

From Oupa's parents I was told that our defense was ruthless! not letting anything through! and after having played for a bit, I saw that we annihilated in the scrums! We made the "Barbarian Horde" look comical!

A big credit goes to the newbees, two of whom scored, carl and liam, and the final try going to Mavis.


It is awesome that there is such depth of guys keen to play Wildboys, and I am now proud to announce that I will be passing the reins over to Stewart Black next year. So recruiting can start now!!


Well played boys!


Final Score 19 - 5


P.S: a special not must be made however that the panthers played well last nite (as much as it pains me to say) and nearly beat the nadoes, however were robbed in the sudden death penalty kick outs! its easy if you have 5 fly half's just sitting on the bench!!

Fire!

Team Line Up Vs Baa Baa's

Herewith is the somewhat diluted Wildboys team for tomorrow, unfortunately due to an

un-fucking-believably amazing Accounts test during our match, and some generally weak ankles, its not full of the Wildboys "Strong men". Needless to say it is the Semi-Finals, and we are and incredibly strong side. So tomorrow we play last years "losers", who are a tough side, but they have never met the wildboys, so it should be a goodie!

1. A - Bomb

2. Fridge

3. Scott

4. Luke

5. Peter

6. Dean

7. Chino

8. Slug

9. Liam Slatem

10. Mike Russel (C)

11. Stew

12. Trenton Devine

13. Simon Du Toit

14. Carl

15. Warren

Reserves: Not Needed!

Most sides would use inspiring words to rally the men, but we are united, so i present you with an ambition:

Fire!

Internal League Cancelled!

Our game against Baa Baa's has been postponed due to undue amounts urine flowing from the gods in the sky!

Fines on Sat @ 5, @ the Palms Digs (3 Carbrook Ave, off Cavendish Road).

Dress: Wildboys Tshirt

And then we're off to they Playboy Bunny party @ Wadda.

Fire!

Team Line Up Vs Baa Baa's

The team stays the same as last week, however the performance must change! We need to take charge throughout the game and let the momentum build continuously. As some of us are playing Old Boys rugby tomorrow there will be tired legs, however with our large numbers we will be able to pull through!! Let this picture guide you into battle:

See you tomorrow, meeting at 5:30, playing @ 6:30, field C.
Fire!

Match Report: Wildboys Vs Panthers

Once again courtesy of our Media Liason Jammie:

WildBoys vs. Panthers
Wednesday 29th August 2007

In what was a thrilling, entertaining game of rugby, the Wildboys, after a dominant first half, came short in the second half against a determined Panther’s side in the Quarter Finals of the Internal League, losing 17-14.

The internal league had reached the ‘knockout’ stage, where a loss for any side would result in them being unable to reach the final of the tournament. There was, therefore, a great deal at stake for both teams, and this was evident in the way the game started out.

The panther’s dominated the opening exchanges of the game, with the three-quarters making two line breaks inside the first five minutes. The initial pressure exerted by the panthers paid off, as one of their backline players collected the ball off an attempted clearance kick by the WildBoys, and very smartly drop kicked the ball, from an impressive 55 meters out, between the posts for the first points of the game. The panthers made their intentions known from the outset, leading 3-0.

This, however, seemed to galvanise the WildBoys side, who starting gaining control and possession, and playing constructively. Travis Townsend made an outside break off a neat pass by Mike Russell, and drew the fullback as he passed inside to Warren Kelly, who evaded the tackle of the covering winger to score the first try of the game. With the conversion by Russell, the WildBoys lead 7-3. The WildBoys proceeded to dominate the game, with a crucial opportunity missed no more than two minutes later, as the ball merely needed to be sent wide, but was rather taken up with first channel runs.

Just before the end of the first half, Scott Dewar collected the ball off a short lineout and pushed forward with support from his fellow forwards. Off the ruck, Russell ran with intent at the Panther’s defensive line, and gave a short pass to Oupa, who ran at a great angle, to run in the WildBoys second. With the conversion, the WildBoys seemed very comfortable ending the first half with a lead of 14-3.

Half Time WildBoys 14 – Panthers 3

The second half saw the Panthers putting the WildBoys under pressure in much the same manner as they started the first half. Their inside centre, Scott Dyson, was running good angles, and exposed the WildBoys’ defensive line between the three quarters on numerous occasions. An overlap out wide saw their winger, M. Beattie, run into space, chip over the WildBoys’ fullback, and collect the ball for a great first try for the Panthers. With the conversion, they were back in the game at 14-10.

What followed was a long period of sustained pressure by the Panthers, having twice crossed the line only to be held up. A try seemed almost certain when there was line break off second phase from a Panther’s scrum, but a strong tackle by Tauheer Yacoob forced a knock-on, giving the WildBoys a scrum, and precious breathing space after some serious offence by the Panthers.
However, it did not take the panthers long to get back into the WildBoys’ half, and off a lineout inside the WildBoys’ 22, the flyhalf gave a short pass to Scott Dyson, who ran at a good angle to cross the line unopposed for a try. With the conversion the WildBoys were behind 17-14.

The pressure continued from the Panthers, and was relentless as the WildBoys desperately needed to get out of their half, but struggling to do so. To make matters worse, after a touchline scuffle between the two teams, Riley was yellow carded, leaving the WildBoys with only 14 men on the field in the last minutes of the game. The game ended not long after that, the score remaining at 17-14.

The WildBoys should undoubtedly feel disappointed with the loss, as there were opportunities in the first half to put the game beyond the panthers. The consequences of the loss, in comparison to last week, are far greater, as the side can no longer reach the final. In the end, the WildBoys are a strong side that can beat any side on their day, but the side can now only reflect on a game that could have ended very differently, had opportunities been taken.

In the end, both sides were very evenly matched, both sides holding strong defensive lines, with the difference on the scoreboard being that astonishingly-out-of-the-blue drop goal early in the first half.


Wildboys 14
Tries: Warren (2)
Conversion: Russell (2)

Shebeen Boys 17
Tries: Beattie, Dyson
Conversion: Rick (2)
© Raméters

Its time for a semi!

Well guys!! We're playing the Baa Baa's this week! And after last week we have a lot to prove! I think the powers at internalleague.blogspot.com caught the importance of this match perfectly: "The games to watch out for:

Barbarians v Wildboys: The old v the new. Wildboys have impressed beyond expectation this year whereas Barbarians couldn't match their achievements from last year. Both will be bleak at not making the winning semis so will want to prove something. It should be monumental."

And thats what it will be MONUMENTAL! so bring your game faces to practice, and let get ready to RUMBLE!!!!

Fire!

Team Line Up Vs Panthers

1. A - Bomb

2. Blake

3. Dyl

4. Fire

5. Peter

6. Dean

7. Fridge

8. Hagrid/ Chabal

9. Darren

10. M Russel

11. Mavis

12. Adi

13. Travis "TT" Townsend

14. Mr. Black

15. Oupa

Reserves: Tauheer, Scott, Luke, Riley, Chino.

Its that time of year again, so sharpen your blades and get ready to skin yourself a Cat!

Playing at 8:30, meeting 7:30, C Field!

Fire!

Bishops OD's Vs Bosch Old Boys Match Report

Bishops OD’s vs. Rondebosch Old Boys
August 24, 2007

On cloudy but warm Friday afternoon, a light-hearted Old Boys Clash was played between the Bishops OD’s and Rondebosch Old Boys on The Avenue fields at Diocesan College in what proved to be quite an entertaining game with the Rondebosch Old Boys winning convincingly 25-5.

The afternoon event had a very relaxed atmosphere, as many old boys, who came either to play or to enjoy a drink or five with friends, congregated at the Bishops fields. What was immediately apparent, however, was that the Rondebosch Old Boys came better organized, with their side sorted with substitutions and all. The game was delayed, as Bishops were one man short of a front row (As well as a full substitution-bench short of, well, a substitution-bench!).

Luckily, Blake Péngallo-Sanchez (Bishops Matriculant ’92) had come to watch the game, having landed in Cape Town the day before for a break from work in Dubai, and was more than eager to jump in at hooker, and the side were more than happy to have him play. It was a pleasure to see boys from as far back as ’92 eager to play. He proved to be as fit (if not fitter) than most of other boys on the field!

The game started at quite a furious pace, with some hard tackling and hard running from both sides, with Bishop OD’s looking very strong in the opening exchanges. It was the Bishops OD’s who would get the scoreboard ticking, as Justin Rhodes-Harrison ran at the Rondebosch Old Boy’s defensive line on their 22, chipping over the advancing line and collecting with no opposition in sight to score relatively unopposed. With no conversions being taken in the old boys’ game, the score stood at 5-0 to the Bishops OD’s.

However, it did not take the Rondebosch Old Boys’ long to respond. Off a scrum inside the Bishops OD’s half, Andrew Deacon sent the ball blindside to the flyhalf, who drew his man and passed the ball to Chad Williams, who had the space on the outside (as well as the pace) to run in the Rondebosch Old Boy’s first try, and draw level with the OD’s at 5-5. It became apparent as the first half progressed that, although many of the guys playing were fit and may still be playing, there were one or two (or three) that hadn’t done a lot of physical activity in a while, let alone play a game of rugby. Watching some players take a breather, possibly look around at the old school grounds, and take water breaks while the game was still going, proved to be as entertaining as the game itself!

The Rondebosch Old Boys’ pack managed to gain a substantial share of the possession in the first half, and just before the half-time break, the Rondebosch backline managed to find space out wide, with the one of the outside backs going a for a corner-flag finish. The Bishops defence managed to cover, but in the ensuing ruck, one of the Rondebosch players managed to pick up and push over for a try.

The Rondebosch Old Boys’ went into the half leading 10-5.


The Second half saw the Rondebosch Old Boys’ doing most of the playing, which was largely due to their side having substitutes to keep the side going. The ball was sent down the line, with Chad Williams chipping over the Bishops wing and fullback, and in the scramble for the ball Lloyd Anderson dotted the ball for the Rondebosch Old Boys’ third try. Not long after that score, The Bosch Old Boys’ were on the Bishops line again after a solid line break by one of the centres, and Tim Rawbone-Viljoen picked up the ball and pushed over to take the score to 20-5. The final score of the game came as the Rondebosch boys had an overlap to the right, and Chad Williams put a smart grubber through for Nick Sheard to collect and score.

In the end, it was an enjoyable afternoon for all, with many boys coming to have a drink and catch up with other OD’s an Old Boys. One certainly hopes that more games like these will be played again. Thanks must go to Dave Mallet for refereeing the game (and many thanka for ignoring a few of those ‘ever-so-slightly’ forward passes), everybody who helped in organising the game (Warren Butler, Mathew ‘Fire’ Born, Robbie Morris), and Mike “Mavios” Davis for telling me who scored for Rondebosch Old Boys (every time)!
© Raméters

I would like to say a big thanks to all those who supported and especially to Oli & Warren who helped me sort out the Bar. It was a great game, spectacular event and hopefully a tradition that we can build on from now on!!

Fire!

Quarter Final Games!

Hey guys, please note that games are now on the Half hour, due to the fact that there are 4 per field!

As you can see we are playing at 8:30 on the C Field, thus we will be meeting at the C Field at 7:30. Practice today at 5 at Bishops!

Fire!

OD's vs. Bosch Old Boys Classic Clash

After a rousing OD dinner last night spirits are high and the boys are ready to equalise the score in the 2nd round of what is to become a "Classic Clash". Whether you are playing , supporting or there just for the cheap beer, the vibe of this game is huge.

So come down, round, up wherever it is from you and support your Old Boys!!!

We are playing at 4 on the Avenue Fields!!! Cash Bar is available.

See you there,

Fire!

Spotted!

Recently whilst checking the plumbing at my girlfriends house, reading the new Heat! I came across this picture:
It appears that the Internal League Manger/Rockstar Extraordinaire/UCT Rugby Coach has been making friends on Wisteria Lane, spotted this week with none other than "the David". The two are apparently going to star as Gay "best friends"...... interesting!

Fire!

Its the Play-offs!!!

Here's the Spider for the Final satges of this years tournament:

Please note that next week is in fact a rest week and that the Quarter Final match against Panthers is on the 29th.

Fire!