Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Tour Blog- Chepstow-Stratford-Rugby-London
As we head towards the back straight of the tour we have started to see a few of the more sickly of the boys struggle to fight off a few nagging viruses. Jake left an impressive pavement pizza outside Millennium Stadium in Wales and Nick is walking very gingerly after many visits to various toilets throughout the UK. Look out his soon to be published traveller’s guide Bogs of the British Isles. As these two convalesced on the bus the rest of the group visited the site of the 1999 World Cup; the impressive Millennium Stadium in Cardiff. The tour of the stadium impressed on the boys the proud traditions of Welsh rugby as we visited the dressing rooms, national honour boards and press room and stood next to the hallowed turf of the pitch. Two Speeds Nishioka, sporting a rather fetching ginger moustache and eye catching peacock coloured dress( after a Kangaroo Court session), fittingly sat in the same chair as Queen Elizabeth does when she attends the rugby.
The match against Chepstow was our first one in wet conditions. Despite the sleet the boys played manfully and dominated their opposition. Forwards once again were able to secure possession and drive forward and our backs ran some good lines and held on to the ball in the slippery conditions. All Saints ran out winners to the tune of 26-12. The try scorers were Jordan White, Mitch White, Izaac Johnson, Dalton Cole and Luke Alker three conversions.
Special thanks must go to the Chepstow coach, Andy Clark whose hospitality and genuine rugby passion ensured a meaningful and memorable experience for the whole All Saints squad in this wonderful part of the UK.
We departed Chepstow and made our way to Shakespeare’s birthplace, Stratford-upon –Avon. On the way we made a quick stop at Tintern Abbey. Wordsworth’s words about this tranquil and beautiful Norman abbey are quite apt;
These beauteous forms
Through a long absence, have not been to me As is a landscape to a blind man's eye: But oft, in lonely rooms, and 'mid the din Of towns and cities, I have owed to them In hours of weariness, sensations sweet, Felt in the blood, and felt along the heart; And passing even into my purer mind, With tranquil restoration: -- feelings too Of unremembered pleasure: such, perhaps, As have no slight or trivial influence On that best portion of a good man's life, His little, nameless, unremembered, acts Of kindness and of love.
The boys were able to recharge their batteries a little during our stop over in Stratford upon Avon. With nothing planned, we explored the birthplace of Shakespeare at our leisure. Wayne, who seems to be a little indifferent about Cooky’s company these days, did a runner only to be found outside Shakespeare’s cottage. An emotional reunion transpired and we headed towards Rugby.
Gold Coast weather greeted us at Rugby as we visited the place where it all began. The boys were fortunate enough to have a tour of the historic Rugby School and a game of touch on Rugby Close where William Webb Ellis picked up a soccer ball and ran...no wonder everyone wanted to kill him! Mr Bale’s competitive streak was exemplified by a 30 metre footrace with the boys. Jack Jeffress showed some toe but after breaking at the start and manhandling other runners Mr Bale prevailed. Mr Nolan surely was just being sporting in not winning. Both have only stopped limping three days later. A friend of Mr Bale’s hosted us for lunch in the curiously named Cock Boarding House; the room could have been straight out of Dead Poet’s Society or Harry Potter. At this point our group is sounding like a touring party of emphysema patients barking and wheezing constantly. A questionable diet of processed pork, tomato sauce, chips and concentrated sugars might have something to do with this epidemic.
Kick off against Lawrence Sheriff was at 2:30 and conditions certainly favoured the tourists with wide azure skies and 23 degrees. After a very sluggish warm up and a cracking start by the local boys the All Saints team eventually woke up and at times, played some of their best rugby on the trip. The lines ran by the boys were incisive and direct and the forwards once again stood up and dominated a larger pack. The boys racked up 36 points to 17. Try scorers were; Daniel Browne, Brendan Solia, Dalton Cole, Jordan White, Kyle Alford and Daniel Reptis. Luke Alker; three conversions. We took off for London early the next morning. Dalton has obviously made a big impact on his mates here as the bus departed for London without him. Kim Chang, official tour head counter has a lot to answer for!
In London we have seen; Buckingham Palace , London Eye, Greenwich, Greece, China Town, Tower of London, the British Museum and a walk through one of Soho’s more lively districts. The boys looked like a prep class walking 4 abreast on the footpath in a very tight formation.
We are all exhausted and are looking forward to a Monopoly tube challenge Sunday morning before departing. See you all at home Tuesday.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
In Transit to Wales!
After an early departure from Durham, the tourists travelled around 700 kms south to the border town of Chepstow in south east Wales. On the way we stopped in near Birmingham to watch West Bromwich Albion take on Liverpool FC. The atmosphere was like State of Origin but a lot more dangerous. Liverpool fans only could only sit in a designated area surrounded by 40 police. As tempting as it was, the teachers resisted making the boys wear red shirts in the West Brom section and we even advised Lachlan to leave Wayne on the bus (Wayne was devastated). The passion that exuded from the fans was fanatical and in our case quite literal. Every time the gents behind us shouted obscenities at the opposition they showered us with sputum. Some of the insults were hilarious but cannot be repeated here! After the game (which was won by West Brom Baggies) we left the stadium and boarded the coach. We happened to be parked alongside the Liverpool fan coaches and as a result, received a police escort out to the main motorway. Many kind locals came out to wave us goodbye and wish us all the best with their middle fingers and other lurid gestures.
After nearly being sunburnt at the football match, we arrived in a very chilly Chepstow at around 7:30 and the boys departed with their billets. On Sunday we toured an old coal mine at Blaenarvon. The boys were told how the mines were the backbone of employment in this area but when the closed in the 1980s due to cheap coal imported from Australia, the local communities collapsed into cycles of unemployment, poverty and dependence on welfare. The boys were taken 100 metres under ground to a relatively shallow mine and exposed the hard toil performed by very tough and proud miners in times past. All the guides had worked in the mines before they were shut down and could talk about relatives and friends who had died in accidents or from the diseases brought on by inhaling coal dust. Conditions in the mines were obviously very cramped and all but Daniel Browne had to stoop in the various tunnels. (Daniel needed a booster seat at go karting too!)
The boys were able to attend a Magners League rugby fixture between the local Newport Dragons and Treviso from Italy. Eight internationals played and Newport ran out winners. Many thanks must go to Andy Clark from Chepstow for a cracking day.
The boys have adapted well to a constant rotation in billet families but a change in rooming arrangements with the teachers has turned a little sour. Updates will follow!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Game 3 - Durham, Holy Island
Mr Bale’s incoherent ramblings about all things English have finally subsided as we spend our third full day on English soil. Remarkably, we encountered our first rainy day on tour on the way to England. It certainly made our visit to Holy Island and Lindisfarne atmospheric and we could imagine St Cuthbert and the monks shivering within the freezing walls of the priory and ever wary of attacks from Vikings and other marauding tribes. Due to the tides that flood the causeway to Holy Island, the touring party could take two extra hours to rest their battered bodies and Mr Bale some time to reflect on how he got his reading of the tide times so wrong.
Leaden skies accompanied us all the way to the Northumbrian capital of Durham or Der-Ham as some of the less astute members of the touring party might pronounce this. Once again, the boys met their gracious host families from the Durham school and later enjoyed some Nando’s and time to wander this beautiful cathedral and university town with their billets. Wayne is still spending all of his time with Izaac and by his current form, will spend a few more days in Izaac’s company.
The next morning the Durham teachers showed us around the Harry Potteresque Durham School. It boasts the fifth oldest rugby club in the world and a chapel that commemorates the school’s Old Boys who fell in the Great War and World War Two. Later that morning, we took the boys to a local go karting track to sort the men from the boys. Mr Golder’s sluggish form around the course earned him last place out of thirty drivers. Two Speeds Nishioka wasn’t much quicker and managed to collide with every barrier and other driver on the track; we all should be wary if he ever manages to earn his Ps in the years to come. Izaac spent 10 minutes wedged under twenty tyres and needed five track officials to pull him out. Daniel Browne and Mr Bale proved the most aggressive drivers and our tour leader was the only driver to manage to get red-carded on the day. Kane’s speed on the rugby pitch was emulated on the kart track as he recorded the fastest lap.
Blue skies greeted us as we arrived back at Durham School for a three o’clock kick off. The starting team has been affected by a growing injury list and as a gallant Kane Fitzgerald left the field with a fractured wrist, our lack of backline depth was further exposed. The All Saints team managed to secure around 70% of the possession but failed to score points. Being camped in the opposition’s 22 for multiple phases on three separate occasions only yielded three length of the field tries to the Durham boys. Basic deficiencies in catching, drawing and passing and maintaining sufficient depth lost us a game that we should have won. On a positive note our scrum was the best it has been and even shunted our opposition back for the first time on tour. Kim Chang’s and Nick Stephen’s rapid improvement in this area was crucial to the scrum holding its own. Jake Power scored one try and Luke Alker one conversion as we went down 19-7. Mr Nolan took Kane and Matt to the hospital and Kane has had surgery on his wrist. Both are now back with the touring party.
On Friday the boys explored the cathedral that houses the remains of St Cuthbert and St Bede. Built by the Normans 900 years ago to stamp their authority on the region, the cathedral is still the most imposing of structures. Dalton, Hiro, Daniel and the teachers ascended the 350 stairs to the top of the cathedral. Fortunately for Mr Golder, this toil was successfully sidestepped as he kept a bedside vigil at the hospital with Kane. Lachlan Cook has mastered the Geordie accent in our short stay. Tomorrow we head towards Wales and attend West Bromwich versus Liverpool on the way.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
After leaving Ayr the tourists headed to the east coast and the brooding Scottish capital, Edinburgh. We checked into the YHA and took a stroll towards Princess St. James White showed a more flamboyant side when he paid a visit to one of the more theatrical districts of Edinburgh on the way. Izaac Johnson had a heart felt reunion with Wayne after he was abducted from the YHA toilet. In the evening the boys went underground in the old town on a guided tour of Edinburgh vault; an area that had been lost for hundreds of years and rediscovered in the 1980s. The guide was able to tell us about various gruesome executions, punishments and the devastating effects of the plague. This proved inspirational for the coaching staff that later convened the first sitting of the Kangaroo Court. Misdemeanours such as lack of punctuality, slow wittedness and the inability to keep possession of gear were dealt with swiftly by the Honourable Judge Golder. As a result, the folk outside Edinburgh Castle and along the Royal Mile were entertained by the Australian Rugby Boys’ Choir and the All Saints break dancing posse led by a more than capable Kane Fitzgerald and an enthusiastic Jack Boenke.
After the castle tour we headed to North Berwick Rugby Club and had a decent two hour training session to work on our scrum and backline cohesion in particular. Mr Golder and Mr Nolan showed they have lost none of their skills in a devastating five minute rugby rampage and are now just starting to walk without noticeable limps. The boys were picked up by their billet families and spent their first night in the beautiful North Berwick.
The next day we headed back to Edinburgh for shopping and sightseeing. Later that day we prepared for the second tour game against North Berwick. Brett and Sharon Boenke were a welcome addition to Jim, our bus driver on the sidelines as members of the All Saints supporters’ group. The locals proved a very physical and abrasive opponent; just the challenge our boys required. After twenty minutes scores were level at seven apiece but as our injury toll grew and the North Berwick boys ground on, they were able to open up a significant lead. To our credit, the boys maintained intensity in defence and the physical contest right until the final whistle. Many boys finished the game playing in unfamiliar positions but showed Australian ticker and never gave up. Jake Power and Jack Boenke were our try scorers and Luke Alker slotted two conversions. The final score was 32-14 to North Berwick.
Many thanks go to the North Berwick coach, Dougy Walsh, club stalwart Ken McCauley and the billet families for their warm hospitality. We really appreciate the way they have embraced comparative strangers from across the world. We have much to learn from the club culture and tradition demonstrated in Scotland.
Mr Bales’s absurd diatribes about English sporting prowess and the temperate English climate are increasing and signal our proximity to the English border. The boys are sore and weary and Izaac has his passport ready for the border crossing as we head for England and the sacred ground of Lindisfarne and Durham later today. Thanks for following the blog and please keep posting your comments. Thanks Neil McCallum; we have booked Jazz in for some counselling when we return to All Saints!
Monday, March 28, 2011
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Day 3 - Glasgow
Saturday 27th March
After resting weary bodies and sore limbs the boys looked refreshed as we met at Ayr Rugby Clubready for a day in Glasgow. The wonderful hospitality of our hosts has humbled the boys. Mr Bale commented at the post match get together at the rugby club that the welcome that players receive at rugby clubs around the world is one of the magic aspects of our game. Thank you to the people of Ayr; we hope we can reciprocate your hospitality on the Gold Coast one day.
The boys had a few hours in Glasgow to take in the sites and do some shopping. Nick Gentle and Lachlan Power proved the canniest of bargain hunters travelling thousands of kilometres across the world to one of Britain’s great cities to purchase Queensland State of Origin jerseys. Dalton made two special friends introducing Wayne. Jordan Weir picked up a free Hare Krishna CD for a mere $5 donation! Kyle Alford gets the award for the tourist who could most easily blend in with the locals.
At three we watched the Ayr Seniors play the Glasgow Hawks who seemed to be fielding a couple of extras from Braveheart. Moree raised Damien Kelly or Skippy captained the Ayr boys to a fine win. Mr Golder started reminiscing about the glory days and how he might be able to carve the Hawks up himself. Unfortunately he would have no chance in pushing big Skippy off the wing so he could seagull there himself. The infectious, sheep like call of Ayrrrrrr the boys invented I’m sure will be utilised by local supporters in the future.
The first sitting of the Kangaroo Court will be held today as we proceed to Edinburgh. There should be no shortage of candidates as the unwarranted confusion at pick up time distinguished some of the duller tools in the touring toolbox. Messers Weir, Reptis, Power and Power are a concern.
Scorers from the first game are as follows;
Try Scorers;
Daniel Reptis 3
Rory Hannagan 1
Jordan White 1
Luke Alker 4 conversions
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Day 2 - Laggan Outdoor Centre & Game 1 Ayr Rugby Club
All boys arrived at the Ayr Rugby Club rested and well at home with their billets this morning; Hiro and Matt particularly so, after a night in a castle! The boys went to Laggan Outdoor Centre through amazing countryside, electro-static roads and warm milky sunshine, and were able to take part in archery, clay-pigeon shooting, sledging (not the verbal kind) and reverse four-wheel driving. Lachlan Cook proved a very careful driver and Jazz and Lachlan Power accomplished archers. Jake Power’s relationship with his Pokemon has yielded results; his coordination with gun and bow was unsurpassed and he proved his ability to live off the land if necessary. Wayne was unfortunately rushed to hospital with severe internal injuries after he was brutally run over after being flung from his sledge travelling at over 2mph; thankfully the car crash forced social services to re-evaluate his carers and has since moved to Dalton Cole.
Despite one or two travel sick tummies, the boys tore into the evening game with much enthusiasm. Faced with temperatures of just 4 degrees, All Saints fared well against a considerably larger pack and finished the first third one try ahead after Nicholas Gentle & Jake Power punished a tardy backline defence with some breath-taking attacking breaks through the middle.
In the second 25 minute period, Ayr started strongly and began to exert in a number of key areas. The scrum began to take a battering, missed tackles and energy sapping mauls took its toll and saw Ayr dominate proceedings. Our own inability to win first phase ball and numerous simple ball handling errors saw Ayr capitalise on easy field position. ‘Ball killing’ tactics in the ruck were greeted with some fiery northern hemisphere ruck action to the bodies of numerous ASAS players; this made for some interesting dialogue during the game! Despite the onslaught, All Saints worked hard to keep the score to a respectable 17-10 after 50 minutes.
A rousing end of half speech from Golder saw a complete role reversal; a re-invigorated pack met the muscle from Ayr with vengeance and worked hard to secure first phase set-piece in the scrum and lineout. Men running hard in numbers to the ball gave James White plenty of options at half back and for the first time in the game, the Ayr pack struggled with the sheer pace of the Saints ball runners and toiled backwards for long periods. In particular, Daniel Reptis enjoyed a fine third exploiting the tired Ayr defence finishing with three well worked tries whilst Kane Fitzgerald showed his worth in typical fashion with some bone crunching defence and even a side step to avoid a collision! A final score line of 33 – 22 does not reflect the intensity of the game but considering the travel, time zone difference and cooler playing conditions, Saints can be delighted with their first win on tour! It is very important to secure a first win on tour and despite not playing anywhere near their best, a win is still a win!
A 2 course meal and presentation from coaches and captains followed the game. All members of the touring party were blown away by the hospitality displayed by not only the billets but the Ayr Rugby Club. Man of the match awards were presented to Daniel Reptis and Jake Power and accompanying that, Ayr bestowed gifts of their club training shirts, in a gesture that truly exceeds the typical boundaries of good will. It never ceases to amaze me how such generosity can be shown by what can only be described as strangers through only a common passion for rugby. We have been truly overawed by the welcome we have received at Ayr and have enjoyed every minute of out stay thus far.
Today, we will nurse any minor injuries and then travel back to Glasgow where we will watch Ayr as they take on Glasgow Hawks in a local derby. We will also have lunch in the CBD explore a few more of the local attractions. Until tomorrow, enjoy the video and log in again soon.
Video and photos of yesterdays game will be uploaded soon.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tour Diary 1 - In Transit
Tourists in Transit-Day 1
The languid Brisbane sun glared through the glass at the Airport and illuminated a very dapper touring group. The boys’ immaculate dress attracted the attention of other patrons at the airport and was a credit to the All Saints Community. Luckily they did not witness Luke Alker’s spelling of Astralia on his departure card or Mr Bale’s rousing speech to a mirrored reflection of the team. His authority still remains unquestioned despite this ludicrous error.
Last night our touring party enjoyed the company of the All Saints French Tour before landing in the busy and cosmopolitan Dubai Airport. Some of the boys displayed remarkable aptitude to sleeping in awkward positions and managed a few hours of sleep on the way. Being Rugby lads, it was imperative that no physical contact should occur whist sleeping. Many slept bolt upright and with one eye open as a consequence.
The allure of duty free shopping was too hard to resist for some; Jake Power is now the proud father of a Pokémon DSI game. The brightly coloured and jaunty moving images kept him thoroughly occupied on the Dubai to Glasgow leg of the trip. Mr Nolan flaunted hid single status by purchasing state of the art headphones on which to listen to any type of music that matches his RM Williams boots.
Mr Golder had a close scrape in customs with his swollen bag of exfoliating cream and other such manly products and Izaac Johnson attracted the attention of security officials resulting in an explosives check.
Two speeds Nishioka was the first tourist to lose his passport for a very nervous 20 minutes and as a result is now tending to Wayne the Wombat, thankfully, with a fresh pair of underpants. Kim was relieved to hand over marsupial duty of care at this juncture.
Our lost property update after the first 24 hours includes; one identity and emergency contact card; one beanie and two school ties. All items may be purchased at bargain prices on our return.
A stupidity log is being maintained throughout the tour and is obviously occupying a significant amount of time at this point. Harsh but fair punishment will be metered out for the more absurd offences by a quickly convened Kangaroo Court. Damian Boulton packing over 60kg into 3 full size suitcases and forgetting numerous items of tour apparel will be high on the agenda.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Departure - now!
Bags are packed, travel mode is making QCS training very irritable for the tourists and long studs have been purchased for the boggy terrain in the U.K. The boys are all amped up for some big games against some big boys after our convincing first win over Ormiston College last Friday, by the sounds of the boys singing ‘we’re not gonna take it’, by the Twisted Sisters on the trip home from Brisbane we are in for one interesting tour. Thus far, Bale has called out to the boys in a mirror, Two Speeds has lost his passport, Izaac was checked for explosives, Golder pack his exfoliating pack and Wayne has been introduced to numerous people. There is the last call for flight EX435 - Im excited, lookout Dubai!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Passport Check
One More Sleep
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
ASAS UK RUGBY TOUR 2011
All Saints Rugby Face Book Page
