Otautau Stags B-Team

Friday night we found out Tessa was playing for the Otautau Stags rugby B-Team and so a late minute decision was made to go and support Tessa. We were there for a 17:30hr kickoff, it was a beautiful evening at the Riverton Rugby Club grounds, not a cloud in the sky, however with the sun dropping down behind the horizon there was a beautiful sunset however the cold quickly set in.

Dressed up like an Eskimo with good layers of Marino clothing, alpaca socks and a cosy warm puffer jacket, we were ready and keen to see how the teams went in these conditions.

Right from kick off the teams went at it and both Jude and I were really and I mean seriously impressed by both the Otautau team and Riverton. The standard of rugby by these teams were outstanding both on attack and defence. The ball handling was very good for this age group (10-11years) especially in these slippery conditions, the going to ground, the clean outs, the pick ‘n’goes, the passing out the backline, the jackaling at the break downs and the tackling was so good to watch it made the game so exciting and the coach of the Riverton team was reffing pretty fairly for both teams and at halftime it was anyone’s game.

The second half was a typical battle between the teams trying to gain the upper hand and although subjective it took some suspect calls from the ref to gave Riverton constant advantages which left the spectators a little lost and agitated. About 5 minutes into the second half Tessa entered the game as replacement winger and although this was Tessa’s first game of rugby and full contact at that, she did so well, on her first touch of the ball had a blistering run up the left side of the field out pacing just every one until stepping hard right to go between defenders didn’t quite make it, although tackled she did well when going to ground and placing the ball correctly, unfortunately it was knocked on by her support players. Both teams had standout players that just had the edge over the defence simply through outright pace on attack or grit on defence. For Otautau I was so impressed by all of the team who in my and opinion should be really proud of their efforts. And well done Tessa, I don’t think anyone would have thought it was your first game.