Grapes’ Vine #3 2009 

Where has the time gone, August has just started and Club rugby is coming to a close.  Normally at this stage we could look forward to Auckland rugby and the All Blacks, well not much enjoyment going to happen there, me thinks.  Glad I put my meagre savings on South Africa to win the Tri-Nations back when the AB’s were favourites, at least I will be able to pay for a Christmas holiday.  As for Auckland, well if they won’t pick Ivan Nola they deserve to get done over in the scrums by every other teams.  Though to be fair it would be an easier decision Ivan, if you decided to get fit in the first couple games next year rather than the last couple.  Your old man has asked that I change that next year, so be very afraid.

I look back at the year with a lot of pride as should you all.  The Premiers, though not making the final this year were certainly up there.  If luck had gone their way and they had faced University in the semi rather than Ponsonby, they would have been worthy finals contenders.  Well done to all of you and the coaching team.  I have to say you did better than I had thought possible earlier in the season, but then what do I know about rugby.

And the Reserves, what can I say they were the last qualifier for the Championship they commenced the semi’s by dispatching the previously unbeaten Grammar-Carlton and followed it up last week with a resounding victory of the much vaunted but heavily outclassed, Ponsonby.  You guys have been a credit the way you have developed through the season into a truly champion team.  The mix of experience from the rather old Mike and Sua through to the younger members of the team such as …….. you’re right they are all old.  It was a great game and a good turnout by supporters in atrocious weather.  A noticeable absence though was that of ‘Accountant for life’, Vanessa Cope and Terry, they don’t miss many so I hope whoever he was Vanessa, he was worth it?

For those of us who have played Reserves, we know only too well that to be successful you need to have guys who will turn out for you week after week and be prepared to fill gaps left by others going up to the Prems.  (God this is going to be hard as I promised ‘Blinky’ that I would mention him this week in my last Vine for the year)  Now Blinky may not have been in his finest form after a few Woodstock’s on Saturday, but a couple of weeks ago I saw him forced to play a full 80 and he was up to the challenge.  There you are Blinky, now please don’t stand by me again at a game while drinking Woodstock or anything else stronger than milk.

Great games on the day also from Nonu, Henry Lawson, Ivan Nola and oh yeah that “still room for improvement player” Dusan.  For those of you who have not seen Brian Nola cry you missed an event on Saturday.  Never a prouder Dad than Brian that day, as he wandered around the clubrooms with a championship medal around his neck.

Well that’s pretty much it for the year, this week there is the Under 19s down at the Club, the last chance for another championship, then the curtain comes down on another season of Club rugby. 

But rest assured during the summer the knives will be out in some quarters, the AGM will cause a stir, coaches will be sacked and reappointed, subs due will not be received, the accounts will look in trouble, the Bar account will not balance, the Trustees will not be trusted and rumours will surface that Mark Mallabar is making a comeback.  All under the watchful eyes of ‘President for Life’, Tony Sinkovich.

See nothing really changes, see you all next year.