Grenfell Takes Home Win After Tough Condobolin Match
As seen on the Grenfell Rugby Union Club’s Facebook page…
The scene was set.
12 months hard preparation had been done. The perfect Saturday awaited the Grenfell men (any men).
A two-hour bus trip to nirvana, Condobolin Showground and a chance to dance with the Rams! We had been studying up on Duolingo so we could understand them. Supercoach Mark Hughes even left a trail of jelly beans so we could be sure to find our way back home to civilization afterwards.
19 brave Panther men made the trek. We thought the lure of a chance to wear a Hawaiian shirt in public and scull some warm stones green ginger wine afterwards with your mates might entice a few more but, alas no.
But onto the game. The field was green (a novelty, thank you mother nature). The rams had an eager look in their eyes like they get full of lupins before being let loose on a mob of young ewes. And there was a hoard of them. Nearly a full team waiting on the bench if any broke down or needed a rest.
We knew it was going to be a long day at the office. The usual pep talk from coaches Allen and Hughes had some effect. The sound of bagpipes floating across the field seemed to have more. The boys flew out of the blocks. We seemed to be camped on the Condo tryline for the first 20 minutes. Surging runs from Niki fresh back from the naughty corner, Jimmy and Sia out wide were being repelled time and time again by a very willing Condo defensive line keen to impress the big crowd of old boys on the hill urging them on. The wall was finally breached and Irome sliced through for a try 5-0 to the Panthers.
Unfortunately, this had the effect of taking the Rams to a new frenzy. The panthers were barely able to contain them and soon after they used the brutal forward pick and go to great effect. Poetry no, but effective yes. Try converted it was 7-5 to the locals going into the break. This gave the troops a few minutes to get their breath back. Calming words from Allen and Hughes had the men back on track in the second half. Scrum half Brodie loader keep barking at the forwards to keep them on track. It proved to be a arm-wrestle for the ages. Just when Condo seemed to be on top (the crowd goes wild) Grenfell would string a few phases together and you would hear Gemma go wild.
A few injuries were creeping in. We were down to two on the bench which was making the coaching job easier, but like watching Donald Trump. Riveting but no way to change the outcome.
Then out of the blue, Grenfell fired a few probing kicks down field. And our flying Fijian Bola latched onto one and ran faster than a pensioner to the servo with a jerry can when fuel get under $2 a litre.
Try converted. Grenfell up 12-7. We have written the manual on how to lose these close ones the last few years. But the boys weren’t on the verge of winning three in a row for nothing. 20 minutes of grit later.
Condo were sending big bopper after big bopper at the line. Where do you find these blokes without a KFC or chook farm? (actually we really want to know). One last ditch charge was help up over the line. Sprocket blew the whistle, full time!
A cracking game of bush footy from both teams. Nothing left on the paddock. Voltaren sales will be off the scale at Condo and Grenfell pharmacy tomorrow morning.
It could have gone either way. Both teams butchered a few chances in the second half. But the Panthers seem to have finally worked out how to win a few close ones.
The Rams evened the leger somewhat in the boat race afterwards. With the sounds of Shannon Nole in the background. It was a seriously impressive performance. There is obviously not much else to do for fun after dark out in the flat country. If a pub ever comes up for sale out there, buy it.
Thanks to the supporters who made the trek over to watch. Thanks to Condo for hosting. Good luck for the rest of the season. I’m sure you will make your club proud if you sneak into the finals.
Thanks to bus driver Elvis. It might be another 10 years before he volunteers to drive again.
Next week we are at home for the last game of the season v Harden. It’s also Sponsors day and the 30-year reunion since we won all three grades back when coach Allen had hair and Schooners were under $2.
See you all next Saturday at RB Bembrick Field, the home of Rugby.
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