Today we packed our bags and checked out of the Cape Suites in order to make the short trip north to Stellenbosch. Before checking into the Stellenbosch Hotel we had a short training session on the grounds of Stellenbosch University. This was a great opportunity to fine tune some of the plays we had worked on over the past week. We trained well and this put us in a good frame of mind going into the game against Western Cape University. Following the training session we had lunch and a brief team meeting.
The 45 minute bus journey to Western Cape University flew as Mick (Michael Cawley) hooked up his iPod to the radio and blasted out some hip hop and RnB tracks! The conditions were perfect for rugby. The warm-up went well and before we knew it we had kicked off the 2010/11 season for Collidge.
Western Cape played a fast paced, expansive game with minimal tactical kicking. We quickly realised that a structured and an organised game plan would frustrate our opponents. Despite this we went 5-0 down after 10 minutes. Their elusive left winger gathered up a chip kick over the top and raced away under the sticks. We responded well and clawed our way back into the game. A well struck penalty from Curlsey (Niall Earls) and an opportunistic intercept from Johnroy (John Conroy) put us 10-5 ahead at the break.
Again the second half started at a frantic pace. Two lapses of concentration cost us dearly and we found ourselves under the sticks. Down 7 points we realised that we had to adopt a more attacking mentality. After some superb build up play, Twomstone (Michael Twomey) gathered a delicate offload from Johnroy and scored out wide on the right. With 5 minutes to play we threw the kitchen sink at Western Cape. However, their defence remained solid. A final break away try in the last minute left the scoreline at 24-15 in favour of the opposition.
This was a superb start to the season as each player put in a monumental effort. Before the game we emphasised a performance and each player delivered in that regard. It was encouraging to see the U20s players stepping up to the plate with relative ease. This fixture gave us a platform to build on and progress for the season.
After the game we joined our opposition in a prayer (Western Cape tradition) and some beers (Irish tradition). After a delicious meal and a chat we were on the bus back to Stellenbosch where we had a few casual beverages in a local ale house. It was a jolly old evening!
UCD points scorers:
Niall Earls- 1 pen & 1 conversion
John Conroy- 1 try
Michael Twomey- 1 try