After a lacklustre few weeks for the BAC 1st XV, the boy arrived at the BAWA full of hope to make amends in what should have been the first ‘true’ home game of the season. Despite Arctic conditions the weather was braved and after a well needed warm up it was looking like we’d come switched on to play some rugby! The first set back to the day’s proceedings came when despite the efforts of stand-in groundsmen Dave, Ryan, and Rahul, the 1st team pitch was declared unplayable. A short walk across the field and the 2nd team pitch was deemed no better, making the first ‘true’ home game be cut so short you could mistake it for Ross.
A short trip down the road to Aretians, a quick-change act, and a swift team run, the match kicked off, with BAC receiving the ball and carrying into the Aretians’ pack. The match started with some good pressure in defence, with full back Aonghus getting a charge down on an Aretians kick giving BAC good territory in the first five minutes. Despite scrum time dominance in the first half (Josh Wilts lifting his opposite man further off the floor than his eyes are apart), Aretians managed to consistently retain possession, and put the pressure back on the BAC try line, with two first half scores coming due to brief periods of switching off in defence. Despite this, the forward pack kept on rumbling, the driving maul proving a valuable tool, marching us back up the field. However, with conditions bordering on torrential, little consistency in attack could be achieved, with both teams coughing the ball up before any meaningful phases could be strung together. Half time BAC 0 – 12 Aretians.
A delayed start to the second half, and play was underway again. This didn’t last long however, with the weather taking its first victim in the form of the referee, who we hope after a hot shower and a cup of tea felt back to his usual self. A further delay in the action and play was restarted with a BAC line out on our own 22 line. Failure to regain our own ball, a half break from the back of the line out, and after a couple of phases, Aretians were over again. This was to be their last real attacking opportunity in the match with BAC dominating possession and territory for the last 20 minutes. Sustained pressure in the opposition half through a number of penalties and more driving mauls left us in good attacking positions, but the story of the first half continued with us not being able to capitalise on our possession and field position. Overall, an evenly matched game in sloppy conditions, where a few brief lapses in defence allowed the score line to flatter the opposition. We go again next week.
As for the random object, in anticipation of how loose the Happy Bird social is going to get, bring a sick bag.
Man Of The Match - Ross Gardener