Game 4

13th August 2008

St Ambrose College U18s (20) v Trinity College U18s (38)

By Mr M. Elwell

St Ambrose were in the coastal fishing town of Mar del Plata in Argentina for their third game of the tour. There was a mackerel sky overhead and the wind was blowing on the Trinity Sports Ground. Skipper Chris Loughlin was keen to pull the team up unlike Referee Gwizdek on yesterday's abseil. The crowd had a birds eye view of the ground and Ambrose were looking to net another win.
A new experience of for Ambrose in the shape of a female referee took place. The game kicked off late as she couldn't find her way and took 30 minutes to park

The game kicked off with a good high ball from James Conville which was knocked on by the opposition. From this early scrum we won a penalty and kicked deep into opposition territory. Ambrose kept reeling in the yards as they approached the try line. Good movement in the backs led to a positive run by Patrick Taylor. Ambrose were basking with the early pressure. From a Trinity scrum the pack disrupted the ball allowing James Conville his first catch of the day, kicking on and downing the ball for a try. 5 - 0. The pack were hunting like sharks and Dom Gandy and Tom King Prawn were making bit hits.

Trinity were starting to get back into the game as their backs got in tuna with their forwards. The Ambrose defence held out and cleared the danger. A great break involving Sean Wright and James Taberham finished with Joe Murphy hooking a pass from James Marsden and diving over for a try, 10 - 0.

Trinity appeared to have been knocked off their perch. The crowd were packed in like sardines and saw the Trinity team eventually rumble over the try line for 10 - 5. Straight from the restart Ambrose turn the ball over and earn a penalty but from the lineout the maul was held up by Mussels of the Trinity pack.

An interception by Mike Turner and good support from Tom king and Coach Nigels favourite player 'hands' gave us a kickable penalty which was sadly missed. From the 22 Trinity regained the ball and 3 pairs of hands later were under the posts for a converted try 12 - 10. Trinity were proving slippery customers.
As the half time whistle went, the ref popped off to start the tea.

Coach Handy brought on the subs taking Mike Turner off and bringing Salm on. The second half was ebb and flow but a quick penalty by Trinity led to their hooker crossing the line for another converted try for 19 - 10 to Trinity. They were proving a dab hand on their own ground.

A line out on the halfway by Trinity led to them moving the ball through the backs allowing it 24 - 10. Trinity were exerting their dominance and their centre crossed over for a converted try, 31 - 10. But a good run by Niall Clancy showed the heart and sole of the team. From an ensuring scrum James Conville and James Taberham put in Patrick Taylor to skate around his opposite number to score, 31 - 15. Ambrose were looking for something brill and a good run by James Conville and Joe Murphy brought some hope. A string of controversial decisions by the ref who was clearly thinking of colour schemes allowed a converted try to Trinity, 38 - 15. Ambrose didn't want to be battered and good team play let Chris Loughlin pounce for a try, 38 - 20. This was the plaice to steak a claim for 1st team rugby next year. As the clock ran out there were more handbags than in the ref's closet, Ambrose suffered defeat in Argentina. Ambrose performed very well and didn't deserve this defeat and positives can be taken into the final game.

Mr Furlong say injuries decided the game. DAC (son of) says highly competitive good game of rugby. Luke Gill's comment cannot be printed. Referee Gwizdek says a good team performance second half. Coach handy said a stupid old trout spoiled the game.

Robert Conville said that the Ambrose defence were floundering and the refereeing decisions were very fishy.
The game was watched by video link by Gentleman and Scholar P. Rush (M.A.) at Rainhill Further Education College. He commented that the result was down to fluctuations in the economic stability of Latin America and that he hopes to have female refs for the next year's 1st team.