Minor Premiers marching on

Let me open with an apology and the delay in presenting the post game report.

After what I felt was a sub standard performance Tuesday night in relevance to the standard of the opposition, I locked myself in the video room and went looking for answers to the many questions that I, the corporation and the fans have been asking.

All is not okay and I need to find out why or the next two weeks may be the darkest in club history.

But in watching these tapes I saw wonderous things in the 10-1 victory to the Toucher's. 

The opening blast from the Locksmith was a showing of pure power, raw power and elusiveness [yes its a word...and would score high in scrabble]. 

Running in two tries before most of us had even got a sweat up, the Locksmith ensured that the opponents had a lot to fear Tuesday night.

Let me just back track for a moment. On Monday the Locksmith invited the VC, the Rookie and 'Louie the 15th' on bike ride in the Blue Mountains. At first I was a little offended that I wasn't invited but I would have declined anyway as I knew how important the last round was and we needed fresh legs after the teams first lost just 7 days ago. I am not sure the Locksmith, VC and the Rookie held that same thought.

On a known treacherous corner nearing the end of the 225km ride through the mountains, the Locksmith went in deep on a tight deep right hand turn and crashed badly. Whilst coming too after being knocked out he was heard to say "I see dead people".

A bystander took a quick pic of his bike post crash

So its a was a wonder that the Locksmith turned out such a performance after his near death experience. But the Toucher of the Match scoring had him unanimous in receipt of the award. 

Locksmith has given himself the week off next week. Something about saving lives or practicing to....his priorities should be re-aligned one would think.

After the Locksmith, B2 was easily another over achiever on the park. Sublime passing and vision in attack really confirmed what his true name should be, 'The Waratah'. The moment that brought a wry smile to my pretty face was his half time statement that "we should just punch it up 3 times, then look to spread". 

I am sure it was the big man who kept calling me for the short pass on tackles 1 and 2 when I just wanted to take the touch. His immediate apology was accepted.

It was good to see the Chairman prancing around the park again in his tights. To say that he slept in them the night before did explain the odour that protruded pre-game. His direction through the middle has been and will always be invaluable. Questions stands however, is the leg injury a career ending injury ???

Super Coach laid down another career game and he is now very short odds for Toucher of the Season awards. Bringing along his own cheer squad surely boosted his ego and he delivered.

You sense that BBB is looming towards a big game as the Toucher's head into the Finals. After being gorged by a 10 metre Dasyatis thetidis over the summer break. In his own admission its taken time to get back to his form of seasons 2011 and 2012. 

The Rookie was all over the park in attack and defense and wasn't showing any obvious signs fatigue after his mountain bike trek with the Locksmith. He wants to be a 3 time champion like most of the others in the playing roster and his training regime pre and post game will get him to that goal.

Jonty stood tall in the game and presented himself perfectly in gaps and holes looking for the final pass. Alas he was let down on at least two occasion from yours truly. Jonty, I pledge to throw a looping 5 metre long pass to my left in the game next week and present it like an egg on a pillow, so you can fly like an eagle across the white stripe. Well I will at least try to.

The VC pledged pre-game to be better than he was 7 days ago. I heard someone say "..it wouldn't be hard". Those words did not come from me. 

The VC was again the rock upon which the team built the victory Tuesday evening. He marks himself hard on his performance week in and week out. Others do too !!!! :)

So whilst the Toucher's were strong across the park, something just did not gel over the 30 minutes and it will need to be addressed if the Toucher's get past the first hurdle next Tuesday night.

In the  meantime the Toucher's must reflect on their achievements over the 15 round regular season and respect that they are the Minor Premiers. On 41 points with 9 wins and just one loss and 95 tries for and just 33 against, the old guys stood above the others by a big margin.

Next week the team hopes to see the return of B1, Bulldog and Milt to bolster the playing roster as fatigue and injury is taking its toll going into the first semi final.

Congrats to all the Touchers

Yours as I head back into the video room

FMJ