And it was decided that ARC 3rd XV had to play the students off Leiden. As the regular readers will know, ARC 3rd XV were not beaten last weekend, so goal this weekend was to get some points on the board and win this game.
With four virgins on the team we started our warm up. And with a few unexpected players spirits went up and in some heads the tune to the Yazz song found a warm spot. Well warmed up ARC 3rd XV took to the field. Regular readers will know that this is the part where I tell them that we played well but the others played better and therefore we lost the game. Pity the fool and please give us some credits.
We played well and with an enthusiasm rarely seen on the fields we went, to use a strange ball game phrase, in search for points. Even though the students off Leiden scored first and again, ARC 3rd XV came back and through ex-virgin James, from the kingdom, scored their first try.
During half time we all decided, to use a dutch phrase, to throw a little shovel on top and try to win this game, it was possible. The lack of training together and therefore little errors started to count at the end of the game.
We spent quite a bit of time in their 22 but couldn't score, unfortunately they did and so the score was 5 – 29.
Regular readers will know that now comes the part where we start about the third half but not this week. Actually there was a 3rd half but not as we know it. I could be mistaken but the only student off Leiden that I saw in the clubhouse was the one buying a cup of coffee before the match. As you do in these situations we took to the bar and just claimed the 3rd half, off course celebrated with a drink or two.
With room to improve but strengthened with four ex-virgins and players coming back from trips/holidays we should have a ball going down to the Dukes next Sunday. Keep the song, from a little band from Down Under wrote for the ARC 3rd XV, in mind. Great Balls of Fire.
Technical bit:
Great to see the team spirits stay high no matter what they throw at us. Great handling skills displayed by Stefan with full and empty jugs. This was an easy 3rd half, so don't get carried away, there are tough ones on the way.
Hansie Baby.
P.s Mrs Combee can Gertjan come out and play again next week ?
