"The Day the Judge Got Mad"

Cuckoos 17- Buccs 7

Just off a fresh win over the mighty, mighty Baillou Boys, the Buccaneers walked onto the Winton Rugby Pitch on 9th February 2008 with a swagger, a swagger that indicated ‘you’re next’.  On a series of good controlling rucking and mauling, ten minutes into the match the Buccs found they were dealing with a different kind of horse as the Cuckoos young winger Vano scored a beautiful try thirty meters out giving the Cuckoos a 5-0 lead due to Baker’s failed conversion kick. As the game progressed, one could clearly see the poor fitness of the cuckoos, particularly the Forwards, as they labored to the breakdown. The ball handling by the backs became agonizing to watch. Poor passing, dropped balls, became the order of the day. Then came the abusive loud language led by Cuckoos scrum half Matt Paton.  Followed by a punch up in almost every other play, as Alex Ramsey of the Buccs made his teammate Big Tim Perkins, who is renowned for his unethical rugby attacks, look like a saint. Just like the previous meeting between the clubs, the Cuckoos found the Buccs big center Knowles hard to handle as he rumbled seventy meters for a try, knocking over and breaking three tackles, thus giving the Buccs a 7-5 lead on a Simpson conversion. However, minutes later again on a series of good rucking, Charlie ’Offside’ Smith bullied his way over for a try ten meters out, giving the Cuckoos a 12-7 lead on Baker’s conversion that ended the half.
Walking slowly to the side line during half time, looking very angry, Cuckoos fullback Justice Jon Issacs, with a stone looking face, walked over to his teammate Matt, stared him directly into his eyes with his nose almost touching Matt’s nose and told him, ‘’For heaven’s sake Matt, stop your cussing, can’t you see all these young children out here, it’s poor reflection on your behalf, an If I hear another cuss word out of you, I will beat the rudeness out of you.’
‘’Beat me? Beat me? You got to be out of your mind!”
“Yes Matt, if you say another cuss word, I will break my foot off in your backside, I will beat you from Pitch to home”
Seeing the seriousness on the face of the normally mild tempered Issacs, senior Cuckoos prevented a possible attempted execution.
The second half continued looking sluggish for the Cuckoos, as they displayed that they are the midwives of Rugby Dumbness. The Buccs, however, displayed the opposite, moving the ball well, running hard, making good gains, but were unable to cross the try line, thanks to the good defense of young winger Kevin, who made open field tackles that stopped Bucc’s Davis and Roach from scoring tries, although dragged a few yards by Roach in the process. As tensions grew, Matt Paton of the Cuckoos and House Elliot of the Buccs, were tossed from the game due to the exchange of blows. With ten minutes left of the match, the Cuckoos finally began to play rugby with Justin making punishing breaking runs and Mario ‘ Solider’ Rolle proving hard to bring down while gaining ground, marching towards the try line. From the Buccs five meter line, on a ruck, Flanker Charlie ‘Offside’ Smith picked up a loose ball and rumbled his way over for a try, as both Simpson and Roach of the Buccs stood in amazement claiming the Offside Charles clearly knocked on the ball. Well, be as it may, both Roach and Simpson should know that one must play the whistle. A minute later, the ending whistle blew, making the Cuckoos victorious with the final score of 17-7.
Today’s game, the Buccs again proved difficult, and have the making of a dangerous team to play, particularly during the playoffs. For the Buccs, Roach and the Knowles Boy played very well, but the young big lad that wore number 6 was very admirable with his tough play, he simply played a whale of a game.
For the Cuckoos, Justin once again proved a difficult match, Mario ‘Soldier’ Rolle played solid, young wingers Kevin and Vano played beautifully, making the Cuckoos Club very proud, but today the Cuckoos game ball belonged to Charles ‘Offside’ Smith for his good hustle and who finally put a good hit on someone. It was also pleasant to see Dwight Stuart return the Pitch. I only wish, however, I could say the same about his play, knowing that he had a bell played solid, young wingers Kevin and Vano played beautifully, making the Cuckoos Club very proud, but today the Cuckoos game ball belonged to Charles ‘Offside’ Smith for his good hustle and who finally put a good hit on someone. It was also pleasant to see Dwight Stuart return the Pitch. I only wish, however, I could say the same about his play, knowing that he had the belly, he should at least told his teammates so that they could have been better prepared for that Tsunami of stale dodo that he emptied onto the pitch with his worthless play. Nevertheless, welcome back Dwight, welcome back.

Report by Chairmen 'Mac' McCartney