Coyote Match Report For the HKU Sandy Bay Raiders vs Tai Po Dragons

The sun was bright, the sky was clear and the rugby gods demanded a good game of rugby, it being the last game of the decade and all and they got one. The last time these two teams met it was a close game with the Raiders winning it 4 tries to 3. The Raiders sitting third on the ladder went into this match looking for the win and if possible the bonus point.

Raiders couldn’t have asked for a better start to the game, set to receive the kick off, with the voice of Tony ‘same post on every chat’ Scott echoing ‘Catch it to the side, don’t let it bounce’. With confidence high, the ball was well caught and within one phase the ball was passed through the hands and into Pete 'Speedy Mcqueeny’ Budd who dazzled the opposition with his fancy footwork, dancing through tackles to take the ball 10 yards short of the whitewash.

Another two forwards’ phases and, keen not to be fined for try avoidance, Pete slid through the defence and dived over the line in the corner to draw first blood. Rumble ‘the pied piper of social Saffas’ slotted a kick that would have raised the eyebrows of Johnny Wilkinson for the extras.

Another good restart for the Raiders, with the forwards catching cleanly, making yards and setting up the backs for what they do best. From the sidelines the little voice of Owen’s son could be heard, ‘Daddy, why are you walking?’ and so to show his young whippersnapper he too can cut the defence like Pete did, Owen Pescod, not passing out this time, cut back in, stepped out of three tackles to run the ball in under the posts from the halfway line.

Tai Po not in the game at this point with only 10 minutes on the clock and already 14 points down. Finally got their hands on the ball after a knock on. But they were barely two phases in when Carl “the Jackal” Chambers, ripped the ball off the opposition to start a charge down the field. Tai Po defence in a mess and quick ball from Mark “I am back baby” Norris saw the man who started it all off, crash over the try line to give the forwards their first try of the game. Rumble showing that Tom Mackenzie’s spot in the Raiders is up for grabs, slotted the ball through the uprights to get the extras.

3 tries on the scoreboard the Raiders were looking to see if they could get the bonus point in the first half. Clean take from the forwards and some thunderous yards made by Harrison and Ryan set up the backs with a solid platform. Quick ball through the hands and Pete Budd is once again storming down the wing, this time not getting caught short and in an incredible solo effort round the back, dives to score his first double of the year, very nice two handed place of the ball as well.

Just over 20 minutes on the clock and the Raiders have already got the bonus point, but were not done yet. With yet again another clean start from the kick off the forwards marched the ball up the field only to knock it on and give the ball to Tai Po. Fighting against a pack much bigger than them, all the Dragons could do was box kick the ball away. Tony “Do as I say, not as I do” Scott finally under a high ball to show the forwards how to catch it, decides to let it bounce giving the Tai Po the chance to steal it on the rebound and dart for the line. The cover defence from the backs was good and counter rucking from Carl and Spence saw the ball nicely presented on Raiders side of the ruck.

Owen, not to be outdone by young Pete 'Charlie Who?' Budd’s double, decided he would have another solo effort try as well. Breaking though several tackles left the Tai Po defence for dust and scored just before the half time whistle. Lawrence “Dan Carter eat your heart out” Rumble once again slotting over the extras getting 5 from 5 with the boot for the half.

After the half time whistle it was evident that Tai Po had put the 1st half behind them, their tackling was more ferocious, and things were tougher for the Raiders. But constant penalties at the breakdown by the boys in green, saw Raiders back into the opposition’s half and after a great lineout ball, with a ruck perfectly positioned in the middle of the pitch 10 yards out, the two schoolmates tried a move they performed countless times in their pimpled adolescence. Norris with a pick and go, stepping once went with a cheeky round the back no look pass straight in the bread basket of Gue on debut, who crashed through to score just beside the posts. Rumble “Can this guy miss?” slotted it over again getting now 6 from 6.

The game had been fast and Raiders now getting tired, our inside defence leaving holes and line speed a growing memory, Tai Po found space and time and took full advantage, breaking their egg with the score now 42-5. Rumble offered to take the kick for them, but their 10 refused and then failed to convert.

Tai Po now rejuvenated and seeing a bit more ball, showed they had some great talent in their backs with some lovely running and awkward side steps that baffled the Raiders defence netting them another try and put the score up to 42-10. Rejecting again Rumble’s kind offer to kick, their 10 missed again.

Raiders realising they must get their heads back in the game started playing a lot more like in the first half. The boys in green struggled at the breakdown, as well as Spence stealing half their lineouts, saw frustrations in their team rise. With once again repeat infringements the ref was left with no choice but to send one of their players into the sin bin. One man down Raiders were back on top of the game in all aspects. Unfortunately though, with multiple dropped balls from both forwards and backs saw the scoreline not move for most of the second half.

Until a penalty inside the oppo 22 gave Rumble his classic opportunity to take a quick tap and run. Catching most of the team off guard, he scored under the posts to take the Raiders up to 47-10. Not even waiting for the tee, Rumble ran back to the 22 line and in the most arrogant display of talent back booted his dropkick straight through the posts. Getting now 7 from 7 and it must be added kicked every single penalty ball into touch so far.

The clock almost wound down now, the Raiders playing to see if they could score another before the final whistle blew, but a knock on the 15 meter line saw the ball given back to Tai Po. Our Captain asked the ref” How much longer sir” to which the ref replied 1 min. After which, was 3 more scrums and lineout and so having played well over a minute, and seeing Tai Po box kick the ball into the back line, the Captain shouted kick it out. Tony Scott disappointed as instead of receiving a pass saw Will Spence send the ball flying into touch, only for the ref to decide 5 minutes of extra time was not enough and we should have one last play.

Well Raiders won the line out and Rumble did the honour of kicking it out and the Raiders got the result they were after. A bonus point win. 7 tries against a good team showed how much this Raiders team is coming together. It was a fantastic way to end the decade of really positive rugby.

First game next year is against top of the table Valley and if we play as well as we have in the last month, we have a chance to knock them off their pedestal.

Final score 49-10 to the Raiders.
MoM: Lawrence “Never Miss” Rumble
DoD: JJ “Kick it out” Nazer
Tries: Pescod 2, Budd 2, Rumble, Chambers, Gue
Conversions: Rumble 7