Teachers Provide Tough Test

The first game after the Christmas break is always a tough prospect. The Teachers were telling anyone who would listen that they had spent the off-period training hard and they certainly looked in good condition throughout the game. Sadly the turkey and gravy training regime favored by the Renegade forwards didn’t seem to be as effective on the pitch.

The game started at a fast pace with the Teachers running hard in the early periods, but without threatening the try line as the Renegades defense held firm. With a stiff breeze against them in the first half, the Renegades decided to carry the ball when in possession. Maintaining possession for several phases allowed the Renegades to draw first blood, with Nash going over on the wing after some nifty offloads in the midfield by the front row.

PK made a conversion attempt. Formally Renegades best kicker but now seemingly back to his 2017 standard, the attempt was 5 feet too low, 30 feet too wide and 10 feet too short. Luckily Benettt captured this attempted on video from the sidelines, reportedly gaining over 16 ‘likes’ on his Instagram account.

The Teachers came back straight away and after a few missed tackles scored a converted try in the corner.

The handling errors in the remainder of the first half ensured there were plenty of scrums, much to the crowds delight.

Towards the end of the first half, Jimmy Bum in his first game back since his sabbatical at Camp Referee, charged over in corner for a try. The Teachers winger managed to get himself a yellow card for attempting to stop the try by throwing a couple of punches at Jimmy’s head – many thought the decision was harsh for such an instinctive and natural reaction.

Obviously PK missed the kick and Renegades went in to half time 10-7 up and with Teachers a man in the bin.

In the second half the Renegades started to find their rhythm, making inroads into the Teachers 22. The Renegades defense was starting to cause the Teachers problems and ultimately pressuring them into to making errors, allowing Heany and Nash to capitalize to score a try a piece securing the bonus point.

PK somehow managed to scupper a conversion over the bar before muttering something about the wind and handing the kicking duties over to Champagne. Champagne made his conversion with the grace and ease which comes naturally to the blue blooded Renegade.

Renegades continued to dominate and scored their final try of the game by pushing the Teachers scrum over the line from 5 meters out. Des Nash did the honors scoring the try from No.8 and ended the day with a hat-trick to his name. Champagne converted effortlessly with many saying Renegades had found their new best kicker.

Teachers continued to run with ball in hand as they had done all day and had the deserved last say in the match, going over for a try at the death, which went unconverted.

The game ended 31-12 to Renegades.

The girls also won by scoring more points than their opposition.