Heavy rain, lightning, and the 'fashionably late' arrival of two 6-pack players threatened to turn the annual Blacks Touch tourney into a no-show. Fortunately, the Gods of Rugby had other plans and the competition was soon on its way.
2 teams were put on the slate:
MaiGoaldenAsz.....and.....TickelMaiNats
Group Matches:
TickelMaiNats started the ball rolling with their first game against the reigning champions 'Blacks One' aka 'Blacks Senior Citizens'. The game took on a furious tempo from the beginning, despite the opponents obvious lack of youth. Some brilliant ball handling by both teams provided a free flow of attacking rugby but only one team came out on top, and proved once again that being young at heart is still not enough. Final score: 7-5 to TickelMaiNats.
The next three games were a stroll for TickelMaiNats, as their two star players finally turned up to add firepower to the attack.
Group Standing: 1st
MaiGoaldenAsz found themselves in a relatively easy grouping and cruised through all the group games without breaking much sweat. The 9-0 trashing of the HDB team, in addition to a perfect clean sheet throughout the group games put MaiGoaldenAsz comfortably on top of their group.
Group Standing: 1st
Semi-Finals:
1st Semis - MaiGoaldenAsz v Blacks One
A very tense match was soon underway, with the boys from MaiGoaldenAsz visibly nervous before the encounter against the much experienced and composed Blacks Oldies. An easily conceded first try pushed the team further into frustration and the equalizer seemed to be more elusive than earlier suspected. With time running out, a one-two combo from David & yours truly produced a try that left Khairul with his pantyhose in a bunch. Unfortunately, a choking MaiGoaldenAsz was no match for the Blacks Oldies and that marked the end of the competition for them.
Final score: 3-1 to Blacks One
2nd Semis - TickelMaiNats v Blacks Three
Knowing that the 6-pack pride was on the line, TickelMaiNats made good out of this match. Not letting the physical play of Blacks Three, led by Crazy William, get to them, TickelMaiNats put their finely-sharpened move to good use. And when the final whistle blew, they were rewarded with a well-deserved win and a step closer to be crowned Champion.
Final score: 3-1 to TickelMaiNats
Finals
TickelMaiNats v Blacks One
A repeat of the first game wasn't on the cards this time, as the spectators were treated to a most exciting Final between the 2 best teams of the tourney. At a rate of 1 try per minute, each try conceded was replied immediately with a try scored. Final whistle blown, score: 7-7.
EXTRA TIME!
Extra time was just as exciting and culminated in Leander being the object of ridicule the whole day. With only just one try to wrap up the game, the Stallion forever immortalized himself as Dick of The Year by scoring a try one metre out before the try line!
And still had the audacity to smile and pose for the camera scoring his pseudo-try. Unable to put the whole fiasco behind them, Blacks One took the opportunity to score and keep the title for another year running.
Final Score: 2-1 to Blacks One
