THE HOME PAGE OF THE MIGHTY OBU COLTS!
3/5/08 The OBU U21 White team made their way out to gateway of the Hutt on Saturday afternoon to play Petone at Petone Rec. This was their first game in anger in two games after being defaulted to by Wests 20mins before kick off the weekend before.
BK lost the toss and the boys found themselves playing in a bitterly strong southerly that brought snow with it. The 1st half was a see saw struggle which saw each team hot on attack only to be defending their own line moments later. Petone were the 1st to score after one such counterattack with their forwards crashing over in the corner. As the 1st half drew to a finish with what should have been a 20-30 point wind, Jeremy Newell barnstormed over the line from close range to level the match 5 a piece. In the try celebration Fraser "Razor" Cunningham always looking for the edge decided to give a hug and a loud woohoo to the Petone lock who was marking him (to which he later put down to getting inside his head)
Then on the stroke of halftime the OBU defend wilted once again and Petone to go in ahead 10-5.
During the halftime talk the boys were not entirely happy with their first half performance but with the wind at their backs they knew it would be a different story in the 2nd half.
From the get go OBU played with more urgency than they did in the first half. After 5 minutes of play we were awarded a kickable penalty which had to wait as one of the Petone players was down injured with a neck injury. We wish him the best of luck in recovery.
The game was move to another field and the penalty kicked. Then the gates opened up as quick tries were scored by Hayden Smith and Dylan Johnson, some of the defense and rucking got a bit lazy which lead to a few turn over opportunities to Petone which they were not able to capitalize on. Sheep Edward and Sean Christensen who was playing in his first White team match after some good performances in the Green team crossed the line to push the score out. Give Paddy Gough his first win over a Petone team in 3 years of coaching the Under 21s
Tries to Jeremy Newell, Hayden Smith, Dylan Johnson, Sheep Edward and Sean Christensen.
Simon George 3 conversions and penalty
30 - 10 Final Score
Players of the Day were Ben Koloto and Nick Walker
The Last Word is from the Coach Gough who told everyone that they did not desert him, his brothers in arms.
18/04/08 With Uni Holidays still on many players were unavailable some 18 players across the squad and we still managed to put out 2 teams.
The OBU U21 White team met at the Cambridge on the Saturday morning early to make sure the passports were checked off as we made out way out to Ngatitoa to play Paramata Plimmerton.
The boys were flat footed for the first quarter in what was a very slow start we were lucky to be only down 3-nil. The southern polar blast soon woke the boys from their slow start. With the midfield of Simon George and Gavin "Snakey" Roper starting to dominate on the back of some great aerial and round the field work from ex Coll Boy James Hansen.
In the second half the defense was outstanding holding Para-Plim out who attacked the try line while Snakeman Wakelin spent slightly longer than 10 minutes in the bin. As the Para-Plim attack tired, OBU counter attacked wonderful well to run in some late tries to push out the score line. Another strong display but with work still to be done.
Tries to Sankey Roper (3), Jamie Loveridge, Simon George and Luke Wishnowsky.
Simon George 2 conversions
34 - 6 Final Score
Players of the Day were James Hansen and Snakey Roper
The Last Word is from the OBU White Leader BK who decided that the boys need sexual healing.
12/4/2008: There were two games for Colts this week with the White team replacing their bye with the traditional fixture against Te Aute 1st XV and the Green team taking on Johnsonville at Helston park. Despite 17 guys away on holiday or injured we still rustled up a team plus 3 reserves at each venue which was a feat in itself. Special thanks this week to injured Prem's prop Matt Angry Anderson for running a good set piece session with the Colts forwards; the willingness of players to pass on tips and support to the up and coming age grade teams continues to be one of the great resources OBU has to offer.
Colts White vs Te Aute 1st XV -Lost 20-27
Tries to Kirk Murray, Levi Clark, Geoff Miller and Dave Hunt.
This week was a tough physical game against Te Aute College. We were treated to a splendid haka before the game and managed to defuse some of their passion with an early try to Kirk Murray in the first quarter and keeping them scoreless until half time. Te Aute came back with three unanswered tries in the third quarter before OBU responded with two tries in the final quarter to square it all up at 20-20 with a couple of minutes to go. From the kick off Te aute capitalised on a handling error and were camped on our tryline before going over and converting in the last play of the game. Fitness was a factor in the end with us ending up with only one reserve after an injury to Cam. We hosted Te Aute back at The Cambridge where speeches were held and soft drinks and BBQ were offered.
There is a long tradition going back many years with Te Aute College and Victoria University. In fact, Jack Hames Ruru, the last Maori All Black to play for Victoria and who was tragically killed in 1934 after an incident on the field, was a Te Aute old boy. The Jack Ruru shield which is keenly contested by all the OBU social teams was made in his honour.
Many thanks to The Cambridge management for their hospitality, Mark Bradley acting as MC and Piri Sciascia from Victoria University for maintaining the close links with Te Aute college.
Colts Green v Johnsonville U21 Won 49 – 0.
Tries to Jamie Loveridge (2), Gavin Roper (2), Tim Wakelin (2), Paul Mueli and Travis Graham.
Simon George 3 conversions and 1 penalty
A strong game from all that put into practice this weeks focus on team based defence and strong set piece. Players of the day were Jamie Loveridge and Travis Lakey Graham, both equally direct runners rewarded with tries on the day. Kudos also to Graham Sheep Edwards who’ll charge at it like a grumpy billy goat wherever you pick him, and Gav Snakey Roper who showed all that gym work is starting to pay off with a dominant display at centre. Overall though the highlight was an ability to keep reasonable structure in both attack and defence despite the blow out in score. Plenty to work on but a good start to the competition proper.
We were taken care of in the always hospitable Johnsonville clubrooms afterward, then back to the Cambridge where an injured Will Mowbray continues to amuse.
