Fatbastarding: NTA log
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Body is doing OK, though I rarely get more than half a game <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> Working on my strength has definitely helped.<br />
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I played one half against Bankstown down at Canley Vale. They tended to move the ball away from the forwards as their big Islander backline wasn't easily tackled - helps if you go for the hips but that is in the past now and hopefully the boys learned something. We were undisciplined and didn't stick to our strengths. Replacement ref didn't help but that shouldn't have been a factor. Had it all over them in the scrum and at times in the lineout.<br />
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Similarly to Oakhill, we should play it through the pack and beat them into submission before giving it to the blouses.<br />
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First Grade had a big win (66-5) over Rockdale on Saturday. Their Second Grade have withdrawn from the comp so I wasn't needed. We're 12 points ahead of Bankstown on the Championship so its all wins from here, because no-one looks like turning them over, unless Oakhill can do it in early August.... -
I'm glad you worked it out after one game as at my old club our coaches hadn't worked it out after 3 years. They love to play it in the backs and there forwards were all Nathan Sharpe clones. Every time we played tight we had it all over them but our coaches wanted us to spread the ball wide and play their game. (sorry digressing)<br />
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Glad your still enjoying it and hope the Renegades continue to grow and prosper and surge up the divisions to give the yuppies in Div 1 a run for their money! -
Mate, we already play against Colleagues Convicts i.e. the Woollahra Gay rep team <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> Could you get any more yuppified? They're training up for the Bingham Cup - think they got some silverware there last year but it might have been the Plate comp. <br />
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Training tonight - innit funny how big injuries you can deal with, but the little annoying ones just piss you off? Made the mistake of cutting my fingernails this afternoon and at training I've ripped two of them. Some fat bastard stood on my ankle, and I pushed through that, but the nails for some reason just won't shut up <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> I should put bandaids on but it affects my typing <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /><br />
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Tonight we started with ruck drills. Got my teeth rattled holding the bag by one of the second grade props. He got up with a grin and I told him he hits like a fag. Next time I knew he'd go high so I dropped a bit lower and hit him from the side as he was into his wind-up After that it was lineouts, scrums, and a 15 minute run-through of some set moves and a bit of general play. Good thing I took along my new Gilbert because the balls they brought to practice were shit. Didn't stick around to do some kicking practice as it was late, but I did a couple of short restarts and managed to get fairly good distance (not accuracy <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />) on a dropgoal from 30m out 5m to the left of the uprights. Those Gilbert balls are the shit, no matter which one you use. So sweet.... ahem<br />
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Looking forward to this weekend actually as I haven't had a decent run in a couple of weeks. We're up against 5th (of Norwest in 2nd Grade who are 6-0-6 for the season. We gave them a touch-up last time but they've had a couple of away wins in a row against the teams in 6th and 7th so I say keep it simple and we'll win. Bash shit out of them and hope all our blokes turn up. Never realised there were so many coppers in the club - 2nd Grade captain (outside centre) is a D, 2nd grade coach recently got promoted to Inspector, and the Club President (Fijian Test player) is a Fed! Bloody hell! -
Well, we lost 2nd grade 10-8. Fuck it. Didn't have enough territory and while we won the set piece contest (again) we lost it out wide (again). Though this time their only try was due to a huge fucking blunder from the ref not spotting a knock-on, and the fact that their club TJ happened to be on that line. <br />
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I played the first half for 2nd grade at tighthead lock. We got mullered in a couple of scrums and then their blokes got tired and our tighthead prop started packing lower and we returned the mullering with interest. I could see their hooker's feet off the ground in every scrum after the first 10 minutes on their feed. Our rake, playing with his son at LHP, just casually heeled it back. But we played in our own half most of the game. Had one pick n go with the ball and promptly got a shoulder to the head. Made a tackle or two, but mostly got stuck in at ruck and maul (ours or theirs) - we pulverized them at maul time and should have got more penalties for them pulling it down. I got a few pats on the back from the boys for some ruck and maul work too - probably my best game with the club so far, but my fitness is still a big hindrance, especially with this sinusitis I've got.<br />
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The last movements of the game they were giving away penalties all over the shop, but off a resulting scrum, our 8 ran hard and one of their flankers tried to tackle him using his face against said 8's shoulder. Out before he hit the ground and his head hitting the turf didn't help. Ref called the game off, robbing us a final chance to win. C'est la vie. Hope he's alright and will ring their club contact tomorrow to see if he has any news. Ambulance attending, meant the First Grade fixture was shortened so everyone could go watch the Bledisloe.<br />
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Firsts cruised home 33-5.<br />
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Bankstown won both games (one a forfeit?) against Killara, so we're now 4 points behind them on the Championship table, and unlikely to catch them unless someone knocks them off. Fuck it. In the meantime, we have to rediscover how to win 2nd grade matches.<br />
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Part of the issue is clubs are stacking their 2nd grade side, trying to get Championship points up before the end of the year. Norwest even admitted to my mate that they put more quality guys in their 2nd grade lineup, because a lot of them are members of Hillsong Church and can't make Saturday evening service if they have to play 1sts <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/rolleyes.gif' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> -
Well, barely anyone turned up to training tonight - the 2nd grade tight five + a couple of the 2nd grade blouses all up. Obviously some of these pricks don't want to win as much as me <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> Had a bit of a muck around kicking, then ran a 400m to get the blood pumping (and the legs wilting) before some passing practice and then a game of touch footy.<br />
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Got a protein bar on the way home and when I got in, cranked out a few chins, dips, and pushups just for jollies. -
Nick,<br />
I am getting very jealous of all the fun you are having. I miss training and playing rugby and the mateship that goes with it. I wish my club back in Sydney spent as much time honing our set piece play as yours does though. Keep up the good work and good luck in the semis! -
Its the Kiwi influence I think - those boys don't like losing <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> So they make sure their calls and execution are spot on, especially at lineout time.<br />
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[edit] Got home from work last night and decided to test myself out on pullups (my left elbow copped a nerve stinger on the weekend but has come good). I managed to get out a full pullup! First one I've done since I don't know when. Second rep didn't quite make it but I'll keep at it and develop the lat strength to do more. Yay me. -
good work fat boy <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> the set of ten pullups start with a single rep, or something!!<br />
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On that second one, hold at the top as long as you can! -
When I get to the top on the second one, I'll do that <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> Nah I usually know when I'm going to drop so I hang at 90 as long as I can and essentially make it a reverse from there.<br />
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Training tonight - got there late so missed the touch game warmup. We did some warmup sprints and stuff and I became acutely aware of how weak my left ankle is without enough strength to push off - the acute angle between shin and top of foot is becoming a bit painful. Will need strapping this weekend even after I see the chiro Saturday morning I think...<br />
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Anyways, we did some set piece work with just the forwards - had about 13 guys there so not quite enough for opposed training. Both our first grade locks are out (knee ligament and broken ribs respectively) but fortunately our flankers are easy to get in the air so they're our targets. I rotated in and out with the First Grade guys standing at prop essentially (both sides). No chance of me playing 1st grade of course, but you've got to show you're willing, right? <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> A couple of new guys turned up - one a prop which is good because our starting 2nd grade THP is nursing a bit of a sore shoulder. So it'll be between me and the new bloke for starting spot, and just looking at him, he's quite welcome to it - big lump of a lad slightly taller than me and gave the First Grade maul a good shoving... speaking of which - us 5 2nd grade forwards managed to halt the First grade pack in its tracks before driving it back Coach advised us to back it off a bit, and I scowled and felt like saying "its not tuddlywunks bro!" <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /><br />
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Then the backs joined in and I was rotated in and out of the main lineup to give blokes a rest. Set moves, kickoffs (including a beautiful restart from yours truly <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' />) and a bit of dropped ball. <br />
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Got home, some pullups and dips, and now bed! -
Saw the chiro this morning who has begun the process of unlocking my dura. Man she's cute. So she cracked my neck a couple of times and things feel a little better though the ankle will take time.<br />
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Played today against Lane Cove. Ref was late, so it was 25 minute halves and consequently I played the whole game. They didn't have a fully qualified front row, and decided after the first two scrums not to challenge us any more. Combined weight of our starting front row was probably 360kg on account of our new 140kg prop. He can push too <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> They called for uncontested scrums from about minute 10 onwards.<br />
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I played 2nd row again and had a pretty good game I thought. A few tackles, lot of ruck and maul work, even won a lineout! Hooker overthrew it and I got there first, set off upfield about 2 metres before getting tagged, and stayed on my feet while the cavalry arrived. Hit the deck like a good boy, got the ball back etc et. We won 24-7 I think - was at least 4 tries to 1 anyway. So we're back on a winning streak: 1 in a row <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /><br />
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First Grade got a bit of a workout in the scrum but with lightweight flanks were giving away about 80kg on total pack weight. They ran out winners 72-0!<br />
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I'm stuffed. Radox bath and a nip of rum before early bed.... -
This is a shot from a while back - the water I soaked my headgear in after playing on a local ground. On a perfectly dry day with no rain that week...<br />
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The dust makes a nice cushion, believe it or not <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> -
Light training tonight - they've decided to get everyone to Thursday training in order to get the most out of an hour and a half per week. So only 3 other blokes showed up. We had a game of 2 on 2 - me and our 2nd grade fullback versus a First Grade flanker and a second grade flanker, both Fijians.<br />
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It was about even at the end, thanks to one of them being a smoker and me being an outrageous cheat <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> Got home, some pullups and dips just to loosen things, but I feel a sore throat coming on and had enough night air at that point. -
Full training tonight. Some drills, Lineout practice (lifting at 1), then full team practice. Swapped in and out of Firsts lineup because of some missing front rowers. Our starting THP is down again with injury, and our starting LHP is going to be there only for the 2nd half. so I'll probably start on the TH side with our new behemoth LHP showing some form. There is another second rower who can also play THP but he might prefer second row. We'll see.<br />
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Playing against the Colleagues Convicts - Sydney's gay rugby side - and their 2nds gave table leaders Bankstown a workout last weekend. Gonna be tough. -
[quote name='NTA']<br />
Full training tonight. Some drills, Lineout practice (lifting at 1), then full team practice. Swapped in and out of Firsts lineup because of some missing front rowers. Our starting THP is down again with injury, and our starting LHP is going to be there only for the 2nd half. so I'll probably start on the TH side with our new behemoth LHP showing some form. There is another second rower who can also play THP but he might prefer second row. We'll see.<br />
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Playing against the Colleagues Convicts - Sydney's gay rugby side - and their 2nds gave table leaders Bankstown a workout last weekend. Gonna be tough.<br />
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You breaking into the firsts? that is good news. -
I think a sacrificial lamb, breaking into the firsts when you are playing a gay team, any of your front rowers homophobes by any chance <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />
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[quote name='Fullermorg']<br />
You breaking into the firsts? that is good news.<br />
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<img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /> Don't break out the bubbly just yet. Strictly for training purposes at this stage. They were missing the Firsts' hooker and THP at training is all so I was a lineout mule <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> We have some very talented chaps in the First XV, and I only just played my first full game last weekend!<br />
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Still, anything is possible with the injuries we're getting lately. If I get a go at THP for 2nds I might prove a point (or I might get snapped - been a while). Second row isn't much fun - you're just a prop who has to push and not think... -
First: visit to the chiro this morning. Ankle is showing signs of life again which is good. I've been able to support my weight on it, but not lift my weight from the floor as yet. Its a start.<br />
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OK, today we played Colleagues Convicts - some explanation here: The Convicts (who form the "2nd Grade" team in the club) are Sydney's gay rugby side. They've teamed up with Woollahra Colleagues' leftovers (basically their 6th Grade) to compete in the two-team 5th Division. No idea why because the two teams have fuck all to do with each other. When Colleagues' (the "First Grade" side) had a prop injured, the Convicts wouldn't lend them anyone. Its basically a joke and the ref wanted us to put in a complaint because of it. None of our business. <br />
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Being a numpty, I forgot to wash my shoulder pads, shorts and socks this week. So I taped my head up and grabbed some old shorts from the cupboard. Wallaby socks to finish the ensemble <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /><br />
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I played 2nd row (loose head) again for 2nd Grade the first half. And by fuck we scrummed them into the deck - turning them several times and disrupting every other ball they had. They were pretty well drilled in contact (no gay jokes please <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' />), often holding us up for the maul turnover. Our lineout just didn't function that well, and our shitty option taking in the backs and lack of focus were apparent in the first half. After conceding an early penalty we put a try in, which we failed to convert. They returned the favour and it was 8-5 before they pounced on a couple of idiot mistakes and went up 15-5. Then we hit back, but they did too - 20-10 as their conversion from RIGHT IN FRONT hits the post and bounces back. <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/laugh.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':lol:' /><br />
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We're still looking fucked with about 10 minutes to go as the passes just aren't happening for us. Then we score. No conversion. Fuck. Then with 5 to go, our reserve flanker breaks them wide open and crosses the line wide out, making sure he goes around to the posts for the easy conversion. 22-20 bitchez! A few minutes to go. I'm chilling on the sideline with the coach when our hooker (nearly 50 mind you) goes down after a pretty good game. I'm ordered back on. Quick search for the mouthguard and ditching my sunnies and hat <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /><br />
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Back on and straight away get stepped by this big lad. One of our wingers grabs this massive bloke and wraps his arms around the ball for grim death - it was an amazing effort for a bloke 75kg dripping wet up against a guy heavier than me! I joined in and helped him and rip it clear, then gave it off to another forward who runs it upfield. After a couple of phases the final whistle goes thank fuck! Thought we'd lost that one...<br />
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The best thing about winning over the top of that was the fact they were the biggest whiners I've ever played any sport against. I've got nothing against homosexuals, but these blokes would give anyone a reason to start. At one of our rucks their guy was off his feet with his hands all over it, so we rucked shit out of him - just his hands mind. One of their tough guys thought he'd try to smash us off it, but all he did was give away a penalty - fortunately the bloke on our side who got cleaned out right next to me (and is a bit firey) didn't punch him in the head.<br />
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Weird game for me - lots of involvement at scrum (obviously) and ruck time, but I don't think a single lineout got called to our pod, and I only ran with the ball a couple of times, getting turned in the maul at halftime when my support didn't arrive. No harm done there but I've got to work on protecting it better. Like I said above, their tactic was to wrap the ball up and keep it off the deck, and they were very good at it. We keep relying on individuals to get us out of the shit which is part of the issue when you're not fielding a regular lineup I suppose. That's 2nd grade for you... At the end the coach was discussing who to give the points to for best on field and mentioned I wasn't far off. I said "Yeah only played the first half - I reckon I'm in the top 20!" which got a bit of a laugh <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /><br />
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No game this week for 2nd grade as the other club (Rockdale) withdrew their side due to numbers. Good - my next visit to the chiro is coming up and she assures me it'll be thorough. :twisted:<br />
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First Grade got to 74-7 before the opposing skipper allowed the ref to invoke the mercy rule. They wanted to stop at halftime when it was about 50-nil <img src='http://www.daimenhutchison.com/invision/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/smile.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':)' /> -
Love reading the game descriptions, Nick, although I hope none of your backs are on the fern, you give 'em heaps, but then again, you're a bloody forward!! Yes, I am an evil glory boy, do-nothing, stay-clean back...but the hair does not stay parted, 'cos aint got none! Anyway, always being told when I played to get the fuck out of the rucks and mauls, guess that's why I picked up a few scars on the head, now exposed. It always seemed like fun in there!<br />
Interesting point about them being whiney. I would say this is more a product of watching more top level rugby - with all the directional mikes etc at games, how much whinging do you hear in S14 and tests? Heaps. "ref, he's on the wrong side!"Â "not releasing ref"Â etc.... But well done anyway. I wish my 40 (nearly) year old bones and time would allow me to play a bit. Always my biggest regret, not playing more rugby through my uni and early working days.