73 posts on this blog, plus a few fiddles around with the Itinerary and links and stuff. That’s enough and this is the last post. I had a lot of fun doing it, and I know many people enjoyed it. It took a lot of time, more than I thought, but it was worth it.
When I was young, my parents had a boat on the Thames, a 4 berth cabin cruiser. Two, actually, one a half-share in a 23ft Freeman called SAREB, then all of a 26ft one called SHUMWARI. We used to spend weekends, weeks, and the occasional fortnight tootling up and down between Marlow and Lechlade. Mummy and Daddy even took SHUMWARI down to London and moored her by Putney Bridge when my Daddy had to cancel a holiday and work. I took some mates out as well, when I was older, and some girlfriends. My Daddy kept a log, a ship’s log, for all these trips, and so did I. This much petrol bought there, water refilled here, lunch at this pub, dinner and darts at that one, baby coots here, barbecues there. Always the locks passed through, moorings made and left. Random trivial notes that bring back those times to me whenever I read them.
I still have those logs. This is another one.
Friday 23 July 2010
Thursday 22 July 2010
GRAEME’S RUGBY ROUND UP
We played eight games. We won four and we lost four, we scored 195 points and we conceded 187. We scored at least one try in each game. We suffered no yellow cards and had, I think, just one warning as to conduct, under severe provocation. Six different captains led our sides, and six different vice captains supported them. Every player played on a winning side.
Each club or school or RFU we played beat us and lost to us.
• Mixed Maids sides won 20-7 and lost 36-16 to Buenos Aires Cricket & Rugby Club XVs.
• Mixed Maids sides won 72-7 and lost 19-13 to St Brendan’s College XVs.
The opposition in these games were drawn from a mixture of U15s to U17s, we were told.
• Maids U16As lost to Universitario de Rosario U17s 26-19, and beat Uruguay U17s, who played two complete XVs one half each, 16-12.
• Maids U16Bs beat Universitario de Rosario U16s 31-29 and lost to Uruguay U16s, who played two complete XVs one half each, 51-8.
No-one, not even the enormous Rosario U17s, dominated our scrummage for a full match. Argentina may pride themselves on the mele ordenada but we held them, pushed them back and outlasted their stamina. We were however outplayed at the breakdown most of the time, the opposing forwards faster there and more organised in maul and drive. When we did get this right, which we did just once in a while, we looked good. But we lost the ball in contact too easily, and often played as individuals rather than as a team.
Except for the game against Uruguay U16s, when our players were clearly operating on empty fuel tanks, no-one ran through us. Our defence against both Rosario teams and the Uruguay U17s was simply awesome.
Apart from running riot against the weaker St. Brendan’s team, and a six minute blitz against Rosario U16s, our attacking play was much less effective than in our domestic season. Unfamiliar teamings and over-elaboration limited our impact. St. Brendan’s and BACRC both scored against us just by passing the ball quickly before contact, recycling, and patiently waiting for the gap or overlap to appear. We tried too hard and too often to run that dazzling move, or to make that devastating individual break. These things should be the startling exception, not the routine.
The best rugby we faced, and the best we played, was in Rosario. The international victory in Uruguay was admirable, and our result there a matter of great pride, but the level achieved by both our teams in Rosario was just way above anything in my experience. Every single player who played that day, on a winning side or not, played the game of their life. For the “B team” to beat that opposition, in that manner, was the highlight of my tour.
Necessarily these are broad brush comments, and only my opinion. If you don’t agree, write your own blog. Or buy me a pint and argue with me.
Each club or school or RFU we played beat us and lost to us.
• Mixed Maids sides won 20-7 and lost 36-16 to Buenos Aires Cricket & Rugby Club XVs.
• Mixed Maids sides won 72-7 and lost 19-13 to St Brendan’s College XVs.
The opposition in these games were drawn from a mixture of U15s to U17s, we were told.
• Maids U16As lost to Universitario de Rosario U17s 26-19, and beat Uruguay U17s, who played two complete XVs one half each, 16-12.
• Maids U16Bs beat Universitario de Rosario U16s 31-29 and lost to Uruguay U16s, who played two complete XVs one half each, 51-8.
No-one, not even the enormous Rosario U17s, dominated our scrummage for a full match. Argentina may pride themselves on the mele ordenada but we held them, pushed them back and outlasted their stamina. We were however outplayed at the breakdown most of the time, the opposing forwards faster there and more organised in maul and drive. When we did get this right, which we did just once in a while, we looked good. But we lost the ball in contact too easily, and often played as individuals rather than as a team.
Except for the game against Uruguay U16s, when our players were clearly operating on empty fuel tanks, no-one ran through us. Our defence against both Rosario teams and the Uruguay U17s was simply awesome.
Apart from running riot against the weaker St. Brendan’s team, and a six minute blitz against Rosario U16s, our attacking play was much less effective than in our domestic season. Unfamiliar teamings and over-elaboration limited our impact. St. Brendan’s and BACRC both scored against us just by passing the ball quickly before contact, recycling, and patiently waiting for the gap or overlap to appear. We tried too hard and too often to run that dazzling move, or to make that devastating individual break. These things should be the startling exception, not the routine.
The best rugby we faced, and the best we played, was in Rosario. The international victory in Uruguay was admirable, and our result there a matter of great pride, but the level achieved by both our teams in Rosario was just way above anything in my experience. Every single player who played that day, on a winning side or not, played the game of their life. For the “B team” to beat that opposition, in that manner, was the highlight of my tour.
Necessarily these are broad brush comments, and only my opinion. If you don’t agree, write your own blog. Or buy me a pint and argue with me.
PHOTO ALBUM
We are trying to put together a comprehensive photographic collection from the tour. What we intend to produce is a DVD with all the photos and videos we can gather from all the cameras and camera phones on the trip. Our own Dennis Orchard has agreed to edit and produce this DVD with all the images standardised so that anyone can print or save their own permanent copies up to a holiday snap size.
There will be a small charge for this DVD (proceeds to club funds after direct costs of production, Dennis and Pam are not charging for their time). Note that the stories from the "Billet Book" will be published only on this DVD. If you want to read them, you will need to buy it.
If you want your photos included (and we hope everybody will), please burn them to a CD or a DVD and post it to:
Dennis Orchard,
Studio 627
Linen Hall,
162-168 Regent St
London W1B 5TG
If that's a problem, please phone Pam on 01628 781290 and we'll arrange to download from your memory card or direct from your camera.
If you only have one or two images from a phone or camera, email them to: pam@oriongraphics.co.uk.
Let's get them all in.
GRAEME'S BLOG DAY THIRTEEN
It’s a long flight from BA to Madrid but passed more quickly overnight than it had in daylight on the way out. Madrid to Heathrow was routine.
OMG! The welcome at Heathrow was absolutely overwhelming. What a trip this has been. If you were Heathrow and took any photos, please see the next post and get them to us one way or another.
OMG! The welcome at Heathrow was absolutely overwhelming. What a trip this has been. If you were Heathrow and took any photos, please see the next post and get them to us one way or another.
GRAEME'S BLOG DAY TWELVE
Look, this was a travelling day. None of us were looking forward to it. Check out by 12, shopping and sightseeing until 5, autopilot for 24 hours.
Two things. First the quote of the day, from a plastic bag found in the Mayflower Suites Hotel:
“LUEGO DE USARLAS, ROGAMOS NO TIRARLAS EN EL INODORO. EMPLEE ESTA BOLSA, LA QUE SERA RETIRADA POR PERSONAL FEMENINO PARA SU INCINERACION.
PLEASE, DON'T USE THE WATER CLOSET. USE THIS BAG. MAIDS WILL TAKE THEM OFF TO BE BURNED.”
Go MAIDS! Vamos PERSONAL FEMENINO!
Sorry, I know it is schoolboy humour but so what? It adds to my collection:
France (Rodez): “Allez les Mademoiselles!”
Swedish (Pingvins): “Kor Jungfrus!”
Otherwise, it would probably have to be “Vamos Chicas!” and I think we need to reserve that phrase.
The other thing: If you get bored in Buenos Aires, you are just not paying attention.
Two things. First the quote of the day, from a plastic bag found in the Mayflower Suites Hotel:
“LUEGO DE USARLAS, ROGAMOS NO TIRARLAS EN EL INODORO. EMPLEE ESTA BOLSA, LA QUE SERA RETIRADA POR PERSONAL FEMENINO PARA SU INCINERACION.
PLEASE, DON'T USE THE WATER CLOSET. USE THIS BAG. MAIDS WILL TAKE THEM OFF TO BE BURNED.”
Go MAIDS! Vamos PERSONAL FEMENINO!
Sorry, I know it is schoolboy humour but so what? It adds to my collection:
France (Rodez): “Allez les Mademoiselles!”
Swedish (Pingvins): “Kor Jungfrus!”
Otherwise, it would probably have to be “Vamos Chicas!” and I think we need to reserve that phrase.
The other thing: If you get bored in Buenos Aires, you are just not paying attention.
Tuesday 20 July 2010
NEWS UPDATE
Final amendments to the Tour Itinerary have been made, an important change to the day ten blog, and day eleven is now published. The final two match reports are up.
There will be a brief day twelve/thirteen blog and there will be a couple of other items over the next week or so. Check back Sunday latest. After that I am going to wrap it up.
In the meantime may I just thank everyone for the kind things they have said about this blog. I have been really touched. I did it because I wanted to and have enjoyed it immensely, and because I can imagine what it would have been like to be unable to join the tour in person. All of you were involved - they also serve who only wash the kit, pay the subs, drive from place to place, buy the boots, pack the bags and check for gumshields at the last minute. And put up with the endless conversations about rugby. Thanks for reading.
There will be a brief day twelve/thirteen blog and there will be a couple of other items over the next week or so. Check back Sunday latest. After that I am going to wrap it up.
In the meantime may I just thank everyone for the kind things they have said about this blog. I have been really touched. I did it because I wanted to and have enjoyed it immensely, and because I can imagine what it would have been like to be unable to join the tour in person. All of you were involved - they also serve who only wash the kit, pay the subs, drive from place to place, buy the boots, pack the bags and check for gumshields at the last minute. And put up with the endless conversations about rugby. Thanks for reading.
GRAEME'S BLOG DAY ELEVEN
Rain! For the first time the tourists woke up to the wet stuff. And not just a drizzle but a showy, blowy storm. Gusting wind whipped whitecaps of the Atlantic and traffic splashed through big puddles on the Ramblas. What a relief that this sort of weather had held off until the rugby programme was complete. Although it has been cold, especially at St. Brendan's, it has been dry and bright. The pitches have been firm and dry, except for areas at BACRC. We have been so lucky.
Some hardy souls had ventured out to see what Montevideo offered on a wet Sunday morning. Sadly we have not really had time to do the city or the country justice. Everyone I believe has found the people friendly and welcoming and what we have seen interesting, but the over-riding memory will certainly be a rugby one.
The boys were all delivered back to the hotel. Some went off, some mooched around. The billets had been great - house parties and some more late nights. One lad's hosts went out to dinner at midnight, then on to a club.
I do have to mention the pharmacy thing. Wet Sunday morning in a hotel on the edge of town, need some paracetamol. Find a chemist open, taxi there and back, drag. Oh no. Ask at reception, no problem, £1.50 and the local Farmacia will deliver them in 10 minutes. How does that make economic sense? It's great though. Sudi didn't believe us so we did it again.
On to the buses at 1:30pm or so for the schlepp to La Colonia. Not much visibility through the condensation but this part of Uruguay looks like flat, rich pasture, pretty much like the other side of the River Plate estuary. Arrive at the port in about 2 hours, check-in and board the 16:30 sailing. I think I have got Pam fooled that the crossing will be smooth despite the weather but the white lie is soon discovered, as the boat pitches and rolls a little. The crew hand out bolsitas (little bags) just in case but I do not think anyone was actually sick, just a few gone quiet. Pam said she loved it, let's go cruising. Amazing what 6 Kwells can do. Pam even had a sandwich – chicken and lettuce – the only one seen so far on tour with no cheese in it. Off in two buses to the Mayflower Suites Hotel. I am willing to bet that the first thing done in every one of our 28 rooms was to run the hot tap. Mercifully the agua caliente was flowing at last.
Buses came back at 8 o'clock to transport us to the Tour Dinner. This was at a place called Spettus, in the renovated old port, the Puerto Madero. Walking in it looked quite posh and we were not sure it was entirely suitable. We needn't have worried. The boys swarmed on the most astonishing “salad bar” I have ever seen. Stir-fried prawns, huge langoustines, mussels, pasta, rice, serrano ham, a huge whole Emmenthal cheese, breads, fresh anchovies, salad leaves, roasted tomatoes, aubergines and courgettes, beetroot, hearts of palm, fennel, olives, artichokes, potato salad, coleslaw, even Brussels sprouts with bacon bits. Everyone loaded their plates once or twice and wondered why each place setting had a pair of ice tongs at it. Were we supposed to use them for bread rolls? Silver service icecubes? The answer came on half-metre skewers groaning with cuts of barbecued beef. The waiter carves half a slice and waits for you to grip it with your tongs to prevent it dropping off and splashing everyone with juices. You can have as much as you like, and choose what my family call outsidey bits or the inside rare meat. Or both. And it keeps coming. Only the occasional offer of chorizo and morcilla blood sausage interrupts the flow of beef – sirloin steak, the chewier but flavoursome vacio or flank, rib-eye and fillet. Cross cut ribs as well, extraordinarily tasty. Oh, and one small bowl of chips per table of six, for variety. No-one was counting but we think only Mark Hine and Lawrence MacSwan were still looking for more beef when the waiters began to flag. And more chips, naturally.
Speeches and awards were made but I am not going to detail them here. You had to be there. It was that kind of trip. Those who were will remember it; those who were not will see the effect in their boys. It was all-you-can-eat and all-you-can-dream.
Monday 19 July 2010
GRAEME'S BLOG DAY TEN
Yesterday's relaxed mid morning start forgotten, up with the lark, or at least the southern lapwing, for buses at eight o'clock. Cold, bright and sunny, as it has been all tour. About 35 minutes, said the bus driver, enough for a few more zzzz's.
The overwhelming impression of Uruguay so far is of woodsmoke. It was the dominant smell on the coach last night and now the morning dawns with a haze across the city of Montevideo. All along our route there is evidence of a wood-burning economy. Timber yards, trucks and handcarts stacked with logs, people loading and carrying cords of firewood. And that ever-present tickle in the nose and catch at the throat.
We barrel along the ramblas, the coastal strip. High rise apartment buildings face onto the shore, the precious sea view divided into as many expensive fractions as the local realtors have managed. There are a couple of municipal buildings and a golf course to break it up, and then back to the sky again.
Turning inland we pick up the Avenida de Italia, the road that leads 150km straight to Punta del Este, the famous seaside resort, playground of the rich and famous, etc. We are not going that far, however, branching off into a well-heeled suburb and then up a semi-private road for a few hundred metres beside well-kept sports fields. Turning right then right again we arrive at the Carrasco Polo Rugby Club, a pristine pitch sparkling with hoarfrost and international brand advertising. Not this entrance, a gnarled attendant tells us, down there, right and right again. Sent to the tradesmen's. This turns out to be a semi dirt road up the middle of this huge private sports complex. Bumping up back towards the hallowed turf, we cross a narrow bridge, the coach roof fouling an electric cable above. We stop when the track becomes so narrow that we can go no further and offload the boys and the bags (these buses are not waiting for us, as the boys will be in billets). We stand around for a few minutes, scouts sent off to the rugby pitch, but no-one seems there to greet us and the rugby ground is deserted. “Where's Ricci?” Ricardo, our local liaison man, an ex-Puma like everyone in Argentina, makes a furtive phone call or three. Um, wrong ground. We should be 2km down the road (“four blocks”) at the Seminario Loyola. Load up the coaches, laboriously reverse and turn, off we go again.
The Seminario is heaving with young hockey and football players. Our coaches can't get past all the parked cars so we offload in the turnaround of the Coca Cola factory opposite. Silent on this Saturday morning, the only visible activity a large articulated truck full of firewood. Presumably the local Coke is specially flavoured with woodsmoke.
Into the dusty carpark we wheel the boys and their bags. At last we meet the Uruguayan RFU representatives who will be our hosts. There is a little club hut and some concrete changing rooms and a wood-fired grill offering chorizo rolls. Every other adult is carry a mate gourd and a thermos and we supporters are offered a mate. Er, could we have a coffee? Yes, certainly, but this will take fifteen minutes. Some of us taste the mate, but some of us have tried it before, and wait for coffee. It is a friendly welcome, and some parents are there and strike up conversations, but English is noticeably less common than we have found in Argentina.
Soon enough the B team are changed and running away towards the one rugby pitch on the site. We follow across wet grass, the frost melting in weak sunshine, past the Under 7 footballers and the Under 9 hockey players. No giggling teenage chicas here.
Watching the boys warm up is Jorge, an ex prop and international referee. Jorge was at the Uruguay-England game in the 2003 World Cup. England scored more than 100 points but he very much enjoyed the game because he drank nine pints of beer before the final whistle. He very much hoped to drink some beer with us later, he said, although he preferred scotch. His younger son was playing for the Uruguay U16s today. His elder son did not like rugby, he preferred flying. Jorge explained that this was a pre-selection trial and that the coaches and selectors would be refining their squads on the basis of what they saw. Would I introduce him to Stephen Jones, the famous rugby journalist? I introduced him to Michael O'Flaherty and, just for a moment, considered causing some light-hearted confusion for both of them, but relented and pointed out Jones the Pen. Off he went to drop some more names which Stephen had more chance of recognising than I did.
Quite a crowd had gathered by now, not surprising when 60 young men are trialling for their country. Maids' support was fewer in number but held its own in volume, as usual.
After the games, the players and supporters were offered a burger cooked over wood flames and the players introduced to their billet partners. No sign of Jorge, or a beer.
The bus we were expecting to take us to the international game was nowhere to be seen so we borrowed a school bus and piled on with Frog, the URU U17s coach, and drove off the 15 minutes to the Charrua Stadium (Charrua were the indigenous people of Uruguay). Round the back to the VIP entrance we went and our bags were quickly found a guarded room. Up to the stand and easy to find a seat on the concrete benches. The game was about 20 minutes old and Uruguay were leading 3-0. They eventually won 44-7 and thus qualify for a playoff against Romania for the last place at the RWC 2011. Everytime they scored, firecrackers and a mortar firework went off. Uruguay TV were there and Jonesy did an interview for them, making sure his Maidenhead jacket was in shot and just happening to mention the club in every other sentence. Of course the same TV reporter had earlier interviewed Will Thompson and Sam McCarthy, so Jones will probably stay on the cutting room floor.
Jorge showed up and told us where the bar was. Coke or Fanta. Beer later, he said.
Somehow, Dennis Orchard got himself accredited as an official URFU photographer and spent the match inside the security cordon. Legend.
After the game most of us grabbed taxis to the hotel. The boys went off with their hosts and Josh Edney was seen waiting at a bus stop with his. When asked the next day how his billet had been he said it had been the best. There were three well fit older sisters and the mother was tasty, too. Travelling has broadened his horizons.
The Uruguay RFU very kindly asked four adults and our three injured players to the official after match reception. Mingling with the players and officials, the players got the RFU President (one of the survivors of the Old Christians Rugby Club Andes air crash) and the captain of the Uruguay team to pose with the Bushbaby. The Kazakhstanis were apparently too busy drowning their sorrows in Johnnie Walker.
The other staff and supporters passed the time before dinner investigating Uruguayan beer. Jorge showed up for this bit, bless him, and a jolly time was had by all. Out to dinner at a wood-burning grill restaurant with a very happy crowd of ghost riders in the sky and an impromptu bilingual edition of Blind Date. Never to be forgotten. Although I can't remember the name of the restaurant or what I had for dinner.
After the game most of us grabbed taxis to the hotel. The boys went off with their hosts and Josh Edney was seen waiting at a bus stop with his. When asked the next day how his billet had been he said it had been the best. There were three well fit older sisters and the mother was tasty, too. Travelling has broadened his horizons.
The Uruguay RFU very kindly asked four adults and our three injured players to the official after match reception. Mingling with the players and officials, the players got the RFU President (one of the survivors of the Old Christians Rugby Club Andes air crash) and the captain of the Uruguay team to pose with the Bushbaby. The Kazakhstanis were apparently too busy drowning their sorrows in Johnnie Walker.
The other staff and supporters passed the time before dinner investigating Uruguayan beer. Jorge showed up for this bit, bless him, and a jolly time was had by all. Out to dinner at a wood-burning grill restaurant with a very happy crowd of ghost riders in the sky and an impromptu bilingual edition of Blind Date. Never to be forgotten. Although I can't remember the name of the restaurant or what I had for dinner.
MEET THEM AT HEATHROW
This may be the last post before we leave Argentina. I seriously underestimated how much time it would take to do this blog, and wildly over-estimated how much spare time there would be to do it. I still have two epic match reports to write, and a couple of days diary blog. They will be done, but probably not before we return to England.
And we want you to be there when we return. If you possibly can, please be there at Heathrow Terminal 3 to meet our Iberia flight from Madrid at about 6 o'clock on Tuesday. We want you to see your son arrive as someone new. He's the one a little taller than a couple of weeks ago, a little broader in the shoulder and deeper in the chest. He's the one with more and closer comrades, with a new way of greeting those in the know. He's the one, they all are, a little bit more of what he will be.
And we want you to be there when we return. If you possibly can, please be there at Heathrow Terminal 3 to meet our Iberia flight from Madrid at about 6 o'clock on Tuesday. We want you to see your son arrive as someone new. He's the one a little taller than a couple of weeks ago, a little broader in the shoulder and deeper in the chest. He's the one with more and closer comrades, with a new way of greeting those in the know. He's the one, they all are, a little bit more of what he will be.
Sunday 18 July 2010
GRAEME'S BLOG DAY NINE
Mercifully, departure today was 10am. Everyone was pretty tired after a huge day of rugby and a committed exploration of Rosario's night economy. The bus was quiet and a couple of movies on the DVD screens passed the time. Lunch stop was a filling station less grim than the earlier journey and even with a fruit and preserves stall to browse.
A huge traffic jam at Buenos Aires ferry port made the last part of the bus ride drag slowly and we eventually arrived at the clean, modern terminal at 4pm. The intervening time until our 6:30 sailing was filled with more empanadas, pizza and fizzy drinks, money exchanging and staring into space.
The fast ferry is like being in a fast food restaurant with no tables. Hundreds of airline-style seats facing forwards in front of a snack bar. TVs showed the recent Champions League football final (Mourinho's “anti-football” frustrating Guardiola's “tiki-taka”) and then goalkeeper's bloopers and disastrous back passes. It was quite enjoyable in a brain off way.
The boys took their opportunity to load up with more empanadas, pizza and jamon y queso. The adults may have had a beer or so. Their was really little sense of motion, and nothing to see of the night through the windows. We chatted with a Uruguayan who lives and works in BA and he told us that Uruguayans eat more and better meat than Argentinians. He also said that Argentines supported Uruguay at football once their own team was out of the World Cup but that Uruguayans would not support Argentina at anything. Do they have haggis for dinner in Montevideo?
Arriving in La Colonia, where there is a disused bullring, was smooth. Boarding our two buses was silky. Riding those two buses from La Colonia to Montevideo was seemingly endless. Two and a quarter hours was not what anyone needed after an already exhausting day. Eventually we arrived at the Ibis Hotel, mercifully modern clean and antiseptic. Out to a restaurant where the boys got fed quickly and the adults more slowly. Sudi's meal went astray. Not a happy physio.
A huge traffic jam at Buenos Aires ferry port made the last part of the bus ride drag slowly and we eventually arrived at the clean, modern terminal at 4pm. The intervening time until our 6:30 sailing was filled with more empanadas, pizza and fizzy drinks, money exchanging and staring into space.
The fast ferry is like being in a fast food restaurant with no tables. Hundreds of airline-style seats facing forwards in front of a snack bar. TVs showed the recent Champions League football final (Mourinho's “anti-football” frustrating Guardiola's “tiki-taka”) and then goalkeeper's bloopers and disastrous back passes. It was quite enjoyable in a brain off way.
The boys took their opportunity to load up with more empanadas, pizza and jamon y queso. The adults may have had a beer or so. Their was really little sense of motion, and nothing to see of the night through the windows. We chatted with a Uruguayan who lives and works in BA and he told us that Uruguayans eat more and better meat than Argentinians. He also said that Argentines supported Uruguay at football once their own team was out of the World Cup but that Uruguayans would not support Argentina at anything. Do they have haggis for dinner in Montevideo?
Arriving in La Colonia, where there is a disused bullring, was smooth. Boarding our two buses was silky. Riding those two buses from La Colonia to Montevideo was seemingly endless. Two and a quarter hours was not what anyone needed after an already exhausting day. Eventually we arrived at the Ibis Hotel, mercifully modern clean and antiseptic. Out to a restaurant where the boys got fed quickly and the adults more slowly. Sudi's meal went astray. Not a happy physio.
GRAEME'S BLOG DAY EIGHT
Walking round Rosario this morning revealed some better-looking buildings than my first impression. Renovation work on some of the older structures was noticeable and there is a good deal of public art on display, always a sign of pride in a community. Drivers drive like lunatics it goes without saying and some junctions are controlled by traffic police. We saw an officer hold up a line of cars while this old dog limped slowly across. No-one but us batted an eyelid. There do seem to be a lot of dogs in Argentina. There are a heck of a lot of veterinary practices and petfood and pet health stores as well. It is not just the British who care more for their animals than for some of their children. There are also a large number of perfume shops in Rosario trading under the glorious name of Fanny.
Down through the regular grid of city centre streets to the banks of the river Parana. The whole length of the river in this part of town, beyond a large naval base, is bordered by a hundred metres of parkland and esplanade. As you walk across on a cold but bright winter's day you can imagine a summer scene of picnickers and frisbee games. The river level is some ten or fifteen metres below the ground level today and this somehow enhances the sense of power you feel. All that expansion margin for a river a kilometre wide, what must it look like in spate?
We walked over to the Spanish Cultural Centre, built in red brick to echo lost city type ziggurats. Up to the top of these steps, perfect for fitness training, and you realise that the river is even wider than it looks, what you thought was the opposite bank is actually a string of islands. This river is on a truly mighty scale.
Back to the Hotel Imperio for the bus to the games. Out of the city centre and into the suburbs, then beyond them to countryside. There are poor barrios around Rosario for sure, but nothing like the squalor around Buenos Aires. Indeed you could begin to see how the shanty barrios grow into neighbourhoods of permanent housing over time and eventually seem to become quite ordinary districts.
Universitario de Rosario is a prominent club in the region. Their first XV are regional champions and would always expect to be there or thereabouts, we were told. They obviously have a thriving girls' hockey section, of which more later.
As we arrived at the club, four senior fellows were finishing up a game of pelota, something I had never seen in the flesh before. It looks like a game of relatively light exertion and I would have loved to have a go.
The pitch was in very good condition and a couple of small stands were nicely placed for spectating. There was a small clubhouse with the inevitable open air grill and a chap firing it up to feed the hockey girls and, presumably, later the rugby boys. Chilly changing rooms on the first floor of the pelota court building for the boys. There was a small cafe on the site tucked away from the club structures and apparently not yet open.
As we waited for the first two teams to change and warm up, we spectators chatted with some of the hockey players. They were most interested in los chicos inglesos and asked us lots of questions, particularly about one or two that had caught their eye. I taught some of them the difference in English between a laugh and a giggle and they practised dutifully. I learned the difference between un ganador and un perdidor (er, well fit and a minger might be approximate translations). Off they went for their post match meal and then back they came to watch the rugby and get themselves introduced to los chicos. Facebook co-ordinates were exchanged and arrangements made for a little socialising later.
After the games our hosts were cooking a huge cauldron of chicken and rice on the open grill and out came the club shop for boys to purchase Club Universitario de Rosario kit. Lots of Maidenhead lads coughed up for it and looked good in it too. Unfortunately some of the host players had shown a rather less healthy interest in Maidenhead clothing, some having been found going through kit bags in the changing rooms. Two numbered tour jackets and a MRFC hoody were missing. Understandably upset, tour managers told the president of the club and he said he would speak to the home team captains. Subsequently the tour jackets were “found” but the hoody was not.
This, and the dismay over the ending of the second game, cast something of a chill over the post-match festivities. The cafe was found to be open and a little wine and beer purchased to move things along. After an hour or so, the chicken and rice was served up and very good too. The home club laid on some wine themselves at this point and some good conversation ensued. The boys did not mingle much, no billets being on the cards, and indeed many of the Uni players had left by the time the speeches and presentations were given. The speaker for Uni said that they had hosted school tourists before but never an amateur club like themselves. Without wishing to be unkind, let us say their inexperience showed.
Back to the Imperio and the boys were given a night out while the adults repaired to the local cafe for refreshment and another few rounds of “What's your favourite...” Meanwhile, out in the darkness, hockey chicas were massing and circling. We have certainly made some friends in Argentina.
Saturday 17 July 2010
Uruguay 44pts vs. Kazakhstan 7pts
Uruguay will now play Romania or Tunisia home and away for a place in England's group in RWC 2011.
Uruguay U17s 12 pts vs. Maidenhead RFC U16As 16pts
Duncan Jones got this match under way with a pinpoint drop kick and a massive cheer from all the supporters and players in the tour party. Duncan has been a fine tourist and it was good to see him in boots again, even if only for one kick.
The Uruguay U17s were not as big as the boys we had played in Rosario but they still looked formidable. Maids came at them hard and pressed down to the red zone but were losing the ball too easily in contact and could not make the territorial advantage count. Uruguay had two players with prodigious boots and cleared well beyond half way more than once from close to their line. Eventually Maids opted to kick a penalty and Dominik Bart slotted it from half way to show that prodigious boots come in English sizes as well.
Alex “The Cat” Avery caught the restart diving forward and set up a ruck from which Jamie Tolan barrelled forward. Quick ball and an up and under and chase caused panic. Penalty for holding on and Bart made it 6-0.
Uruguay were looking shell-shocked. This was probably not the gentle run out they were thinking of to impress their selectors. They were good players, however, and came back with a try from a tap penalty, a powerful inside line enough to crash over.
On they came, trying some tight work on the fringes, driving Maids back, forcing errors and scrums. They must have thought they would take a lead before half time but it was not to be. Another scrum to Uruguay but the strike and the shove are perfect and the ball comes back to Jacob Sanders at 8. Up and away in a flash and unstoppable. Converted by Bart for a 13-5 lead with 35 minutes of tour rugby to go.
Turning round to play uphill, Maids again saw a fresh set of 15 players trot on in pristine kit, no knocks or strains, no furious half in their legs already. Would 8 points be enough to hold out? It did not look like it for the first fifteen minutes. Within five the new triallists had battered their way over after showing great co-ordination and teamwork amongst the pack, and pace and power outside. 12-13. For the next ten they pressed and harried and drove and mauled. They kicked deep, caught and rumbled. They spun it wide and ran their moves. No result, nothing. The same organised, solid, sometimes fierce defending seen in Rosario. No way through. The effort faltered. Perhaps a turning point was a 22 dropout sent high by Bart, falling at the halfway line. No.9 caught it cleanly only to be flattened by Sanders with none of his own players even close. The ball went loose and Maids charged forward, sowing chaos and confusion. A minute later an isolated Uruguayan was penalised for holding and Captain Alex Avery threw the ball to Bart. 12-16. Still one try would give the home national team victory. But they could not find it. Maids were running on empty now but the Uruguay U17s were even more at sea, baffled by the intensity they were facing.
Uruguay kept the ball alive for two full minutes after last play was called, desperately seeking a winner. Maids kept them in midfield, denied them space, shut them out. The scale of the achievement hit home as the whole touring party gathered in a circle and Head Coach Gareth Andrews-Jones quietly said that all of them should be proud to remember the day when Maidenhead Rugby Club beat an international side.
Squad: Duncan Jones, O'Callen-Smith, Tolan, Avery A (Capt.), Baxter, Balfour, Bart, Winter, Sanders, Basson, Smith (VC), MacSwan, Andrews-Jones, Anderson, McHugh, Eckles, Thomas, Hine, Jones, O'Flaherty, Evans.
Uruguay U16s 51pts vs Maidenhead RFC U16Bs 8pts
Maids' preparation, for the first time on tour, was less than ideal for this match. The previous day had been a full one, travelling from 10 in the morning until 11 at night. Only snack foods all day and a late pizza. Then an early start and a false start with the confusion over venue. A kickoff before 10am was not really ideal but forced by the timing of the full international later. So it was perhaps not surprising that the Uruguay U16s were quicker into their stride than the tourists. Maids repelled the immediate pressure, counter-rucking well and Tim Cronbach charging the turnover ball out to the 22. Scott Atherton cleared well up to half way and Maids defended the first catch and drive well. Uruguay were not to be denied for long, however, and an 8-9 move from 5m got the scoring going after six minutes of siege.
The next ten minutes were much more positive, Atherton, Will Thompson and Steve Carn kicking behind the Uruguay wingers to great effect, Cronbach continuing to carry well in the loose. Sure enough, Maids crossed the whitewash, Ed Kaye finishing a sweeping move to the left after Fred Reid's right wing raiding had stretched the defence. Atherton hit the post to leave the score tied.
More smart kicking had Uruguay scrambling to defend. Reid made another strong run, this time in midfield, and O'Flaherty was quickly to the breakdown to force a penalty for not rolling away. Atherton kicked it to give Maids a well deserved lead.
They could not hold it for long, however. Uruguay stole through a Maids lineout and a big forward twisted and stretched over. The conversion and a quick penalty made it 12-8 to the national side. Maids continued to try the diagonal kicks which had looked so promising but the Uruguay back three were playing better now and running them back with menace.
A four point deficit at half time did not look too bad but, when Uruguay brought on 15 completely fresh players for the second half, Maidenhead started to show the fatigue of a long tour and the difficult preparation for this match. It only took two minutes for the new Uruguay seleccion to open their account, and after 20 minutes of the second period they were 30 points ahead and cruising. Maids fought back bravely, O'Flaherty stealing a lineout and offloading to Kaye their best chance, but, in truth, this was a half too far after the extraordinary effort most of these Maids players had made against Universitario de Rosario only two days before. Sudi was on and off the field like a waiter bringing the boys more beef. Uruguay's under 16s looked very good value, with smart handling by forwards and backs, and an ability to finish with style. There would have been no shame in losing to fifteen of them, let alone thirty. Maids' heart was there, but the limbs and muscles just would not respond.
Squad: Avery C, Edney, Nicol, Orchard, Evans, Cronbach (VC), Hull, O'Flaherty, Hibberdine, Khindria , Thompson (Capt.), Kaye, Reid, Carn, Atherton, McCarthy, Dow, Trevena
UNIVERSITARIO DE ROSARIO U16s 29pts vs. MRFC U16Bs 31pts
For the first time on tour, the opposition team lived up to the Argentine reputation for big pieces of meat. Bigger and heavier on average and with a couple of giants to boot. How would the Roast Beef and three veg measure up against the Bife con guarnicion?
Maidenhead started with some good simple rugby and moved the big lads around. After five minutes though, one of the giants peeled round the front of a lineout and offloaded from a three man tackle to his No.9 who touched down to open the scoring. Play resumed with Uni sending their big forwards down the narrow channels and mauling with skill and discipline. Maids more than held their own in the scrum, however, pushing the home side back at every engage. As well as this, Maids showed their own impact in the loose with Cam Avery and Tim Cronbach making good yards.
On 20 minutes, Maids tried a penalty kick at goal but Scott Atherton pushed it just wide in what would be his only miss of the day. Maids' mobility was beginning to stretch the Uni pack and their frustration led to a loss of discipline. A run of penalties and Chris Dow tapped and went through the thinning line. Turning to his left to look for support and not finding it he carried on turning until he was running backwards and carried on further until he eventually found Will Thompson. Is it possible that his knee locked up and he could only run in circles? By this time the bemused Uni defenders were ready and cut Thompson down. Even so, they dived over and Atherton kicked the 3 points.
After this period when Maids seemed to be getting on top, Uni went back to their strengths and drove mauls downfield into the 22. A series of pick and drives, four scrums in quick succession, Cal Hull and Blake Nicol making last ditch tackles on the big men. Bryn Evans led by example and vocally, driving the giants back time and again. The biggest of them squared up and had to be dragged away shouting as Evans smiled in his face. At last the pressure told and a simple freekick tap and dive gave Uni a 10-3 lead.
Back and forth it went, Shiv Khindria making a half-break, Hal Orchard spinning out a long pass, Atherton and Greg McHugh going close. Uni also showed some running power, first their right wing flying outside, only James Hibberdine to beat, CRUNCH, flattened. Huge cheers from the sidelines. But Uni recycled well and moved left and their outside centre cut a line back towards the right, past the first line towards Hibberdine, who lined him up and dropped him. Renewed and redoubled cheering. Half time and all to play for.
Maidenhead started the second period confidently, Jacob Sanders off on a trademark swerving charge, Hull and Edney arriving quickly enough to force a penalty. Kicked to the corner, ball off the top, swift passes to the left, penalty for desperate high tackle, tap and quick hands out to McHugh overlapping on the right, great winger's finish. Atherton's conversion ties the score.
The Rosario boys came back, their rapid centre with a great run stopped just short. Pick and drive again and again. Tremendous defence, more angry reaction, and a key player withdrawn for his own protection. Job done, Bryn. Uni missed a kickable penalty but ran the 22 restart back and were held up over the line. Number 8 pickup and ruck, big No.5 finally breached the visitors' defence to restore a 5 point lead.
Maids regrouped and recharged and then produced a most astonishing six minutes of attacking rugby. Muscling into the 22 and showing their own slow ball pick and driving skills, the forwards wound up the pressure and won a penalty. Cam Avery tapped and drew, flung a pass to Evans, who crashed through the screen and touched down. Straight from a scrum after a restart knock-on, Sanders picked up at the base and made 30 metres, found Hull on his shoulder and put him in on the right wing, with time to gallop halfway in to the posts. It is never all about the forwards though and maybe the try of the day was scored by Ed Kaye, guesting at outside centre, blistering onto a short pass into the gap made by a dummy 12 crash. DAJ could not have done it better. The cheering was by now hysterical and joyous. Atherton converted all three to make the score 31-15.
The last fifteen minutes were not for the faint-hearted. Uni gave it everything they had. They battered away at forward and back. The line gave and a prop crashed over for a converted try. Then a great inside line from a switch move in front of the posts, the conversion brought them to within two points. Four minutes of added time ticked, cruelly, slowly, away. A bad day to give up glue-sniffing. Outstanding tackles by Steve Carn and Sam McCarthy and another by Hibberdine; high energy and commitment by Josh Edney; everyone shouting encouragement and pride. Time for one more Rosario scrum, at half way, No.8 pickup, recycle, fast hands out to right wing, over the 22 and WHAM! Atherton and McHugh double hit, ball spilled forward and the final whistle.
Maidenhead started with some good simple rugby and moved the big lads around. After five minutes though, one of the giants peeled round the front of a lineout and offloaded from a three man tackle to his No.9 who touched down to open the scoring. Play resumed with Uni sending their big forwards down the narrow channels and mauling with skill and discipline. Maids more than held their own in the scrum, however, pushing the home side back at every engage. As well as this, Maids showed their own impact in the loose with Cam Avery and Tim Cronbach making good yards.
On 20 minutes, Maids tried a penalty kick at goal but Scott Atherton pushed it just wide in what would be his only miss of the day. Maids' mobility was beginning to stretch the Uni pack and their frustration led to a loss of discipline. A run of penalties and Chris Dow tapped and went through the thinning line. Turning to his left to look for support and not finding it he carried on turning until he was running backwards and carried on further until he eventually found Will Thompson. Is it possible that his knee locked up and he could only run in circles? By this time the bemused Uni defenders were ready and cut Thompson down. Even so, they dived over and Atherton kicked the 3 points.
After this period when Maids seemed to be getting on top, Uni went back to their strengths and drove mauls downfield into the 22. A series of pick and drives, four scrums in quick succession, Cal Hull and Blake Nicol making last ditch tackles on the big men. Bryn Evans led by example and vocally, driving the giants back time and again. The biggest of them squared up and had to be dragged away shouting as Evans smiled in his face. At last the pressure told and a simple freekick tap and dive gave Uni a 10-3 lead.
Back and forth it went, Shiv Khindria making a half-break, Hal Orchard spinning out a long pass, Atherton and Greg McHugh going close. Uni also showed some running power, first their right wing flying outside, only James Hibberdine to beat, CRUNCH, flattened. Huge cheers from the sidelines. But Uni recycled well and moved left and their outside centre cut a line back towards the right, past the first line towards Hibberdine, who lined him up and dropped him. Renewed and redoubled cheering. Half time and all to play for.
Maidenhead started the second period confidently, Jacob Sanders off on a trademark swerving charge, Hull and Edney arriving quickly enough to force a penalty. Kicked to the corner, ball off the top, swift passes to the left, penalty for desperate high tackle, tap and quick hands out to McHugh overlapping on the right, great winger's finish. Atherton's conversion ties the score.
The Rosario boys came back, their rapid centre with a great run stopped just short. Pick and drive again and again. Tremendous defence, more angry reaction, and a key player withdrawn for his own protection. Job done, Bryn. Uni missed a kickable penalty but ran the 22 restart back and were held up over the line. Number 8 pickup and ruck, big No.5 finally breached the visitors' defence to restore a 5 point lead.
Maids regrouped and recharged and then produced a most astonishing six minutes of attacking rugby. Muscling into the 22 and showing their own slow ball pick and driving skills, the forwards wound up the pressure and won a penalty. Cam Avery tapped and drew, flung a pass to Evans, who crashed through the screen and touched down. Straight from a scrum after a restart knock-on, Sanders picked up at the base and made 30 metres, found Hull on his shoulder and put him in on the right wing, with time to gallop halfway in to the posts. It is never all about the forwards though and maybe the try of the day was scored by Ed Kaye, guesting at outside centre, blistering onto a short pass into the gap made by a dummy 12 crash. DAJ could not have done it better. The cheering was by now hysterical and joyous. Atherton converted all three to make the score 31-15.
The last fifteen minutes were not for the faint-hearted. Uni gave it everything they had. They battered away at forward and back. The line gave and a prop crashed over for a converted try. Then a great inside line from a switch move in front of the posts, the conversion brought them to within two points. Four minutes of added time ticked, cruelly, slowly, away. A bad day to give up glue-sniffing. Outstanding tackles by Steve Carn and Sam McCarthy and another by Hibberdine; high energy and commitment by Josh Edney; everyone shouting encouragement and pride. Time for one more Rosario scrum, at half way, No.8 pickup, recycle, fast hands out to right wing, over the 22 and WHAM! Atherton and McHugh double hit, ball spilled forward and the final whistle.
A famous victory and a squad each of whom seem an inch taller than a couple of hours before.
Squad: Avery C, Keir, Nicol, Evans, Cronbach, Hull, Dow, Sanders (Capt.), Carn, Khindria (VC), McHugh, Thompson, Kaye, Hibberdine, Atherton, McCarthy, Edney, Orchard
Squad: Avery C, Keir, Nicol, Evans, Cronbach, Hull, Dow, Sanders (Capt.), Carn, Khindria (VC), McHugh, Thompson, Kaye, Hibberdine, Atherton, McCarthy, Edney, Orchard
Friday 16 July 2010
UNIVERSITARIO DE ROSARIO U17s 26pts vs. MRFC U16As 19pts
Another test of Roast Beef and three veg against Bife con guarnicion. These Universitario de Rosario U17s were all born in 1993 and their U16 colleagues in 1994. The year difference was measurable in height and weight. Let's see, the average Argentinian eats 60kg of red meat per year according to Wikipedia; I wonder how much above average a 17 year old rugby player eats? The loosehead prop (No.1) bore a suspicious resemblance to Peter Avery, who was seen desperately trying to remember how long it was since he was in Argentina... These boys were the real deal. We discovered later that the No.13 was going to training later, for the Rosario, Santa Fe and Parana provincial U18s.
Uni pushed Maidenhead off the first scrum. They packed down low and shoved hard. Later Mark Hine said these were the first scrummagers to impress him so far. Both sides started at a furious pace, Uni clearly wishing to avenge their younger brothers' defeat, Maids playing as As for the first time and determined to show it.
Uni drew first blood, that No.13 outflanking the defence around the left with sheer pace from a tap near the right touchline. Three minutes later it was 12-0, a flyhack and chase after a Maidenhead midfield move broke down with a missed pass. The score was not a reflection of the game, Maids now holding the scrums steady and looking for gaps in open play. Maids tried and missed a penalty kick, then Bart broke from a maul, popped inside for Basson running clear but the ball went agonisingly forward. Uni swept left and right with real menace and would have scored again if not for a fantastic covering tackle by Leo Smith on the flying 13. Stopped in the backs, the home side rumbled up with their big forwards, twisting and rolling, driving and setting with great control. The massive No.1 was somehow held up over the line and Maids drove the 5m scrum back and splintered it for the first time. The danger area was not cleared though and Uni scored twice more in quick succession. The inside centre this time ran a devastating reverse line from left to right across the posts and then No.13 stepped off his right foot and accelerated through the narrowest of gaps.
26-0 after half an hour looks like a thrashing but it did not feel that way. Maids were still in it, more than competitive at the scrum, winning lineout ball despite the Uni front jumper closing the gap all game, and both forwards and backs threatening in the loose with ball in hand. It was much more even than the score suggests. Maids almost opened their account with a trademark DAJ line break, the offload just failing to go to hand. They finally got in the points though with a Sam Balfour pickup from a scrum against the head. Big handoff on the scrum half and sheer pace to go outside the blindside winger. Bart's conversion made the half-time score 26-7.
Maidenhead started the second half as they had finished the first, firmly on the front foot. Pressing forward and recycling more effectively, the reward came quickly. Slow ball, slow ball, quick ball to Smith going right, draws the cover and offloads from contact to Greg McHugh, pace and power into the corner with the last two defenders hanging off him. McHugh thereby scored in both games on the day.
The middle fifteen minutes of the half passed in a flash. Uni were on the attack, battering big forwards and hard-running backs. Maids' defence was magnificent, bodies on the line tackle after tackle, running hard, mauling, rucking, covering. The vocal encouragement and leadership on the pitch was astonishing and the organisation under pressure impressive.
Defence can be offensive sometimes. After a quarter hour of rope-a-dope it was Maids who scored next. Jamie Tolan snaffled a ball from a ruck 5 metres out and bulled through and over. Converted, the score took Maids' unanswered points to 19 since just before half time.
Unfortunately the last five minutes were marred by a simply terrible refereeing decision. I know it is customary to glide over these things and to maintain the pretence that everything is fine but sometimes the offense is so egregious it cannot pass without notice. Iain Whiteford was taken out in the air while catching a high ball. Although there was nothing malicious about it (indeed, while both games were hard-fought, there was no hint of dirty play in either), this sort of reckless contact must be penalised for the protection of players. The referee did not even stop play and allowed Uni to go through four or more ruck and maul phases within 10m of the prone player and attending physio and coaches. Only when the defence had definitely prevented a try did he stop proceedings.
Uni pushed Maidenhead off the first scrum. They packed down low and shoved hard. Later Mark Hine said these were the first scrummagers to impress him so far. Both sides started at a furious pace, Uni clearly wishing to avenge their younger brothers' defeat, Maids playing as As for the first time and determined to show it.
Uni drew first blood, that No.13 outflanking the defence around the left with sheer pace from a tap near the right touchline. Three minutes later it was 12-0, a flyhack and chase after a Maidenhead midfield move broke down with a missed pass. The score was not a reflection of the game, Maids now holding the scrums steady and looking for gaps in open play. Maids tried and missed a penalty kick, then Bart broke from a maul, popped inside for Basson running clear but the ball went agonisingly forward. Uni swept left and right with real menace and would have scored again if not for a fantastic covering tackle by Leo Smith on the flying 13. Stopped in the backs, the home side rumbled up with their big forwards, twisting and rolling, driving and setting with great control. The massive No.1 was somehow held up over the line and Maids drove the 5m scrum back and splintered it for the first time. The danger area was not cleared though and Uni scored twice more in quick succession. The inside centre this time ran a devastating reverse line from left to right across the posts and then No.13 stepped off his right foot and accelerated through the narrowest of gaps.
26-0 after half an hour looks like a thrashing but it did not feel that way. Maids were still in it, more than competitive at the scrum, winning lineout ball despite the Uni front jumper closing the gap all game, and both forwards and backs threatening in the loose with ball in hand. It was much more even than the score suggests. Maids almost opened their account with a trademark DAJ line break, the offload just failing to go to hand. They finally got in the points though with a Sam Balfour pickup from a scrum against the head. Big handoff on the scrum half and sheer pace to go outside the blindside winger. Bart's conversion made the half-time score 26-7.
Maidenhead started the second half as they had finished the first, firmly on the front foot. Pressing forward and recycling more effectively, the reward came quickly. Slow ball, slow ball, quick ball to Smith going right, draws the cover and offloads from contact to Greg McHugh, pace and power into the corner with the last two defenders hanging off him. McHugh thereby scored in both games on the day.
The middle fifteen minutes of the half passed in a flash. Uni were on the attack, battering big forwards and hard-running backs. Maids' defence was magnificent, bodies on the line tackle after tackle, running hard, mauling, rucking, covering. The vocal encouragement and leadership on the pitch was astonishing and the organisation under pressure impressive.
Defence can be offensive sometimes. After a quarter hour of rope-a-dope it was Maids who scored next. Jamie Tolan snaffled a ball from a ruck 5 metres out and bulled through and over. Converted, the score took Maids' unanswered points to 19 since just before half time.
Unfortunately the last five minutes were marred by a simply terrible refereeing decision. I know it is customary to glide over these things and to maintain the pretence that everything is fine but sometimes the offense is so egregious it cannot pass without notice. Iain Whiteford was taken out in the air while catching a high ball. Although there was nothing malicious about it (indeed, while both games were hard-fought, there was no hint of dirty play in either), this sort of reckless contact must be penalised for the protection of players. The referee did not even stop play and allowed Uni to go through four or more ruck and maul phases within 10m of the prone player and attending physio and coaches. Only when the defence had definitely prevented a try did he stop proceedings.
It left a sour taste after a largely fair and competent performance heretofore. Whiteford was taken to hospital and scanned and thankfully his concussion was mild and without complications.
The last few moments in the game were played out in a difficult atmosphere. To their great credit, the Maids players offered freely their congratulations to the winners at the end. It had been an epic fightback but ended up just short. This was a level of rugby that the touring players had never experienced or achieved before, way above their domestic league and, according to some who should know, well above county in intensity.
Squad: O'Callen-Smith, Jones (VC), Hine, Baxter, Whiteford, Bart, O'Flaherty, Balfour, Thomas (Capt.), Smith, Reid, MacSwan, Andrews-Jones, Anderson, Basson, Trevena, Tolan, Avery A, McHugh.
UNIVERSITARIO DE ROSARIO U16s 29pts vs. MRFC U16Bs 31pts
Half time 10-3. Tries for McHugh, Evans, Hull, Kaye. 1 pen and 4 conversions by Atherton. A hard fought match against a side much bigger and with one or two top class players. 3 shuddering tackles by Hibberdine and a last play try-saver by Atherton and McHugh stand out in the memory.
Squad: Avery C, Keir, Nicol, Evans, Cronbach, Hull, Dow, Sanders (Capt.), Carn, Khindria (VC), McHugh, Thompson, Kaye, Hibberdine, Atherton, McCarthy, Edney, Orchard
Squad: Avery C, Keir, Nicol, Evans, Cronbach, Hull, Dow, Sanders (Capt.), Carn, Khindria (VC), McHugh, Thompson, Kaye, Hibberdine, Atherton, McCarthy, Edney, Orchard
Thursday 15 July 2010
GRAEME'S BLOG DAY SEVEN
What can you say about five hours in a coach? 07:30 checkout and an hour across town to St. Brendan's College to collect the boys, some of whom now resplendent in Pumas shirts courtesy of their billet hosts, some others wearing BACRC shirts bought by themselves. Then out through the rush hour traffic to Autopista 9 and northwest to Rosario.
Miles of flat delta land dotted with settlements, barrios and huge Toyota and Chevrolet plants. Roadside Parilla (grill) restaurants and gaudy fruit and vegetable (remember those?) stalls whizzed past but we pressed on, anxious for just the right authenticity in our break stop. Sure enough, we pulled over and into a Parador Nacional, a cold and dark motorway service station. Greasy empanadas and hot dogs of doubtful parentage were queued for, paid for, queued for again and eaten. Essential supplies of chocolate milk, coke and Quilmes beer were purchased for the onward journey. Real life, real Argentina, real touring. They had a map of all their other locations on the national road network, handy to plan your journey to avoid them.
Speaking of cold, if you check the weather on the Time Now in Buenos Aires link below you will see that night-time temperatures are around the freezing mark. This is very very unusual for BA, so we are told, 5 degrees or so lower than the locals can remember. It feels cold, too, even for we Northern Europeans.
Arriving at the Imperio hotel was, after asking directions twice, smoothly achieved. For once the hotel had the rooming list, keys (and TV remotes) lined up, and everyone was sorted in a few minutes. Rosario is younger and apparently more fashionable than stuffy old BA. Understandably its architecture is not as picturesque but it seems to be a city of parks and gardens, with statues and pavilions and all sorts, including a boating lake with pedaloes. The river Parana hulks quietly on its flank, its colour a massive echo of the chocolate milk, tinged with old gaucho harness leather.
The Hotel Imperio has seen better days. See picture of bathroom. More real Argentina. Hot water though, and no objections if you want to bring a few bottles in for a pre-team meeting livener meeting in reception (well done Dennis). Looked through the photos of the children's home visits and I for one missed some of those kids and can't get out of my head the difference between them and the boys and girls from St. Brendans.
After a team meeting with lots of plain talking from both the players and the coaches had chewed over the good and bad lessons from the St. Brendan's games, the teams were announced for Universitario de Rosario U16 and U17. Maids would go into this with less mixed teams, something approaching A and B selections, which will be revealed 2 hours before the games. Only joking, the players know, no autocratic over-rated Italians on this tour. Not going to tell you, however, until the match reports, sorry.
The boys were at leisure for the evening, let loose in groups of 5 or more with 2 days worth of per diem allowance and given directions to an all-you-can-eat. I wonder if the owners know what's in store? The staff and supporters went to Haras, a grill restaurant recommended to D. Orchard by hotel reception (how do you charm these people so quickly, Dennis?). Very good dinner, brains and chitterlings included.
Later start tomorrow, wish us luck.
Miles of flat delta land dotted with settlements, barrios and huge Toyota and Chevrolet plants. Roadside Parilla (grill) restaurants and gaudy fruit and vegetable (remember those?) stalls whizzed past but we pressed on, anxious for just the right authenticity in our break stop. Sure enough, we pulled over and into a Parador Nacional, a cold and dark motorway service station. Greasy empanadas and hot dogs of doubtful parentage were queued for, paid for, queued for again and eaten. Essential supplies of chocolate milk, coke and Quilmes beer were purchased for the onward journey. Real life, real Argentina, real touring. They had a map of all their other locations on the national road network, handy to plan your journey to avoid them.
Speaking of cold, if you check the weather on the Time Now in Buenos Aires link below you will see that night-time temperatures are around the freezing mark. This is very very unusual for BA, so we are told, 5 degrees or so lower than the locals can remember. It feels cold, too, even for we Northern Europeans.
Arriving at the Imperio hotel was, after asking directions twice, smoothly achieved. For once the hotel had the rooming list, keys (and TV remotes) lined up, and everyone was sorted in a few minutes. Rosario is younger and apparently more fashionable than stuffy old BA. Understandably its architecture is not as picturesque but it seems to be a city of parks and gardens, with statues and pavilions and all sorts, including a boating lake with pedaloes. The river Parana hulks quietly on its flank, its colour a massive echo of the chocolate milk, tinged with old gaucho harness leather.
The Hotel Imperio has seen better days. See picture of bathroom. More real Argentina. Hot water though, and no objections if you want to bring a few bottles in for a pre-team meeting livener meeting in reception (well done Dennis). Looked through the photos of the children's home visits and I for one missed some of those kids and can't get out of my head the difference between them and the boys and girls from St. Brendans.
After a team meeting with lots of plain talking from both the players and the coaches had chewed over the good and bad lessons from the St. Brendan's games, the teams were announced for Universitario de Rosario U16 and U17. Maids would go into this with less mixed teams, something approaching A and B selections, which will be revealed 2 hours before the games. Only joking, the players know, no autocratic over-rated Italians on this tour. Not going to tell you, however, until the match reports, sorry.
The boys were at leisure for the evening, let loose in groups of 5 or more with 2 days worth of per diem allowance and given directions to an all-you-can-eat. I wonder if the owners know what's in store? The staff and supporters went to Haras, a grill restaurant recommended to D. Orchard by hotel reception (how do you charm these people so quickly, Dennis?). Very good dinner, brains and chitterlings included.
Later start tomorrow, wish us luck.
Wednesday 14 July 2010
St. Brendan's College B 7pts vs. MRFC U16s Pumas 72pts
Report by Bond.
You can only play what's in front of you. Maids continue with mixed sides - St. Brendan's field their second string. However this must not detract from a wonderful display of Barbarian style rugby from a rampant Maids outfit superbly led by Daniel Andrews-Jones.
The tone was set early on when Maids ran in two tries following straightforward lineout plays. Firstly Fred Reid making a fine break and then a fluent passing movement down the line resulted in Michael Anderson crossing.
Forwards dominated – tap penalty, Mark Hine drive, carried on by Chris Dow (showing a superb return to form and fitness) who offloaded for Callum Hull to score. In windy conditions Maids were unable to add the conversions.
St. Brendan's responded with spirit and after their first period of sustained pressure prop Pinto Lucas drove over in the corner and the fly half converted from wide out.
Now two fine pieces of skill led to DAJ adding two tries before half time. First was a trademark break; the second followed a marvellous run from Chris Dow. Scott Anderson added both conversions.
A 29-7 half time lead would normally mean a second half of showboating and white line fever. However on this occasion Maids just took their game to new heights, running in seven more tries with wonderful handling, superb offloads and excellent decision-making.
DAJ completed his hat trick following a fluid handling movement from the forwards with Cam Avery and Mark Hine showing superb skills.
Both Fred Reid and Michael Anderson scored deserved seconds and there were tries for Ed Kaye from a blind side break and Cal O'Flaherty from a Number 8 pickup. However the highlight was a 20 metre dash to line from Mark Hine, urged on by his team-mates. Mark converted his own try obviously under the impression that the points only count if you hit both posts and the crossbar.
Will Thompson and Scott Atherton also added second half conversions and there was also time for Josh Edney to add his own try to a fine second half performance.
A committed, vocal, wonderful team performance.
Squad: Avery C, Keir, Hine, Baxter (VC), Evans, Hull, Kaye, Dow, Crn, Thompson, Anderson, Reid, Andrews-Jones (Capt.), McCarthy, Atherton, Edney, O'Flaherty, Jones, Thomas
You can only play what's in front of you. Maids continue with mixed sides - St. Brendan's field their second string. However this must not detract from a wonderful display of Barbarian style rugby from a rampant Maids outfit superbly led by Daniel Andrews-Jones.
The tone was set early on when Maids ran in two tries following straightforward lineout plays. Firstly Fred Reid making a fine break and then a fluent passing movement down the line resulted in Michael Anderson crossing.
Forwards dominated – tap penalty, Mark Hine drive, carried on by Chris Dow (showing a superb return to form and fitness) who offloaded for Callum Hull to score. In windy conditions Maids were unable to add the conversions.
St. Brendan's responded with spirit and after their first period of sustained pressure prop Pinto Lucas drove over in the corner and the fly half converted from wide out.
Now two fine pieces of skill led to DAJ adding two tries before half time. First was a trademark break; the second followed a marvellous run from Chris Dow. Scott Anderson added both conversions.
A 29-7 half time lead would normally mean a second half of showboating and white line fever. However on this occasion Maids just took their game to new heights, running in seven more tries with wonderful handling, superb offloads and excellent decision-making.
DAJ completed his hat trick following a fluid handling movement from the forwards with Cam Avery and Mark Hine showing superb skills.
Both Fred Reid and Michael Anderson scored deserved seconds and there were tries for Ed Kaye from a blind side break and Cal O'Flaherty from a Number 8 pickup. However the highlight was a 20 metre dash to line from Mark Hine, urged on by his team-mates. Mark converted his own try obviously under the impression that the points only count if you hit both posts and the crossbar.
Will Thompson and Scott Atherton also added second half conversions and there was also time for Josh Edney to add his own try to a fine second half performance.
A committed, vocal, wonderful team performance.
Squad: Avery C, Keir, Hine, Baxter (VC), Evans, Hull, Kaye, Dow, Crn, Thompson, Anderson, Reid, Andrews-Jones (Capt.), McCarthy, Atherton, Edney, O'Flaherty, Jones, Thomas
St. Brendan's College A 19pts vs. Maidenhead U16s Jaguars 13pts
For the first ten minutes of this match it looked highly likely to be an easy win for Maids. Jamie Tolan and the rest of the pack destroyed the home scrum. Their first five put ins were hooked by Tolan and, when the shove came on, St Bs had no answer. Maids were winning their lineouts too. For all the ball won, however, the points did not flow. Just a Bart penalty kick to show for almost total dominance.
The home side were bigger than the BACRC teams had been but still smaller on average than Maids. The two biggest boys now combined to put St.Brendan's ahead. First their No.8 powered through tacklers up to 6 metres. Maids were penalised at the ensuing ruck for an over-aggressive clearout reminiscent of Bakkies Botha. Up popped the big No.3 to crash over for a try quite against the run of play. The easy conversion made it 7-3.
Maids had a kickable penalty in the last minute of the half and opted to go for the try but could not make it happen.
The first few moves of the second half looked good for the visitors. The scrum continued to go well and a burst of energy won some more loose ball. Sam Balfour tapped and ran to a couple of metres and the ball was recycled and moved right for Lawrence MacSwan to dive over. This was the control and precision that was needed.
Unfortunately, that was the last we saw of it. The home scrum began to win a little ball and St Bs started to play in the backs. Just simple passing as quickly as possible to the wings, not seeking contact, stretching across and looking for an opening. Right, left, right and the overlap appeared. The home forwards were faster to the breakdown now, and more effective at it. 12-8 with 20 minutes to go.
Tails up, St. Brendan's continued to play uncomplicated fluid rugby. They did not try to bash through the bigger Maidenhead midfield, just to move from wing to wing. When their forwards had the ball they rolled and mauled and drove as a unit, making good ground each time. Then the backs would spin it away to the wings and the process would start again. By contrast, Maids were playing as individuals, perhaps each player trying too hard to make something happen. The earlier fluency had gone and the team looked like they were struggling for a pattern.
Sure enough, St. Brendan's made the game safe with a textbook lineout catch and drive and a conversion for 19-8 with five minutes left.
To their credit, Maids did not fold. On the contrary, they came back with fury and passion. Will O'Callen-Smith scored a trademark no-one stops me from here to keep the margin of victory within one score but there was no doubt that the home side deserved to win on the day. They played better as a team and rugby is a team game.
Squad: Avery A, Tolan, O'Callen-Smith, Whiteford (Capt.), Orchard, Balfour, Sanders, Winter, Hibberdine, Smith, Eckles (VC), Bart, MacSwan, McHugh, Basson, Nicol, Khindria, Cronbach
The home side were bigger than the BACRC teams had been but still smaller on average than Maids. The two biggest boys now combined to put St.Brendan's ahead. First their No.8 powered through tacklers up to 6 metres. Maids were penalised at the ensuing ruck for an over-aggressive clearout reminiscent of Bakkies Botha. Up popped the big No.3 to crash over for a try quite against the run of play. The easy conversion made it 7-3.
Maids had a kickable penalty in the last minute of the half and opted to go for the try but could not make it happen.
The first few moves of the second half looked good for the visitors. The scrum continued to go well and a burst of energy won some more loose ball. Sam Balfour tapped and ran to a couple of metres and the ball was recycled and moved right for Lawrence MacSwan to dive over. This was the control and precision that was needed.
Unfortunately, that was the last we saw of it. The home scrum began to win a little ball and St Bs started to play in the backs. Just simple passing as quickly as possible to the wings, not seeking contact, stretching across and looking for an opening. Right, left, right and the overlap appeared. The home forwards were faster to the breakdown now, and more effective at it. 12-8 with 20 minutes to go.
Tails up, St. Brendan's continued to play uncomplicated fluid rugby. They did not try to bash through the bigger Maidenhead midfield, just to move from wing to wing. When their forwards had the ball they rolled and mauled and drove as a unit, making good ground each time. Then the backs would spin it away to the wings and the process would start again. By contrast, Maids were playing as individuals, perhaps each player trying too hard to make something happen. The earlier fluency had gone and the team looked like they were struggling for a pattern.
Sure enough, St. Brendan's made the game safe with a textbook lineout catch and drive and a conversion for 19-8 with five minutes left.
To their credit, Maids did not fold. On the contrary, they came back with fury and passion. Will O'Callen-Smith scored a trademark no-one stops me from here to keep the margin of victory within one score but there was no doubt that the home side deserved to win on the day. They played better as a team and rugby is a team game.
Squad: Avery A, Tolan, O'Callen-Smith, Whiteford (Capt.), Orchard, Balfour, Sanders, Winter, Hibberdine, Smith, Eckles (VC), Bart, MacSwan, McHugh, Basson, Nicol, Khindria, Cronbach
GRAEME'S BLOG DAY SIX
Last night we arrived at St Brendan's College and were greeted by the staff and boys and several intrigued younger pupils. A small boy, 10 or 11 years of age, looked at Martin Sanders in his false moustache and silly hat and noticed he was carrying a rubber chicken. “Ah” he said “British sense of humour, yes?”
Off to their billets they went and out for a (Pam and Martin) birthday dinner went the adults.
Up early to pick up the boys after school assembly – a ceremonial raising of the national flag - and off to a shopping mall for a little retail therapy. Then on to a park for a training session much welcomed after a few days without rugby. Back to school for lunch and then on to the bus for transit to the playing venue. This was the St Brendan's Rugby Club and was way out in the sticks – nearly an hour away. Apparently the school usually train and play at a much nearer ground but this was unavailable. The club ground is in an isolated spot with two pitches and a fine clubhouse beside a lake. When asked whether every Argentine Rugby Club had its own lake (this one does, just like BACRC), Frankie Deges, Argentina's premier rugby journalist, said no, in fact he only knew of two that did. Both matches kicked off at once, Maids fielding mixed teams once again. It became rather obvious that our hosts had opted for A and B selections since one game ended 72-7 to Maids Pumas and the Maids Jaguars lost 19-13 to St Brendan's. Match reports will follow.
We were made welcome by St. Brendan's but obviously our reception could not be compared to that at BACRC. As a school rather than a club, it is the teachers rather than the parents who run the matter. That changes the dynamic significantly. After a brief chat over beer and nibbles while the boys had a drink and a sandwich, welcome speeches and presentations were made. The Headmaster said that he had heard nothing but warm praise from the hosting parents as to the behaviour of our boys and that they obviously had all been well brought up. He said that the school had toured in every continent but that this visit, and their reciprocal one to Maidenhead in September, was hoped to be the start of a program of developing permanent links for future mutual benefit. We shall see.
When St Brendan's do visit later this year, it is going to be tough to match the hospitality shown to some of our boys. I do know that we will be hospitable and welcoming within our capability, but I don't know how many Maidenhead parents will ask the maid to clean their guests boots overnight, or will take a visiting boy to an exclusive private dining club at a horse-racing meeting. We are hoping to put together a “billet book” to capture some of these experiences.
The boys are back to their billet hosts tonight and then tomorrow we are off to Rosario.
Off to their billets they went and out for a (Pam and Martin) birthday dinner went the adults.
Up early to pick up the boys after school assembly – a ceremonial raising of the national flag - and off to a shopping mall for a little retail therapy. Then on to a park for a training session much welcomed after a few days without rugby. Back to school for lunch and then on to the bus for transit to the playing venue. This was the St Brendan's Rugby Club and was way out in the sticks – nearly an hour away. Apparently the school usually train and play at a much nearer ground but this was unavailable. The club ground is in an isolated spot with two pitches and a fine clubhouse beside a lake. When asked whether every Argentine Rugby Club had its own lake (this one does, just like BACRC), Frankie Deges, Argentina's premier rugby journalist, said no, in fact he only knew of two that did. Both matches kicked off at once, Maids fielding mixed teams once again. It became rather obvious that our hosts had opted for A and B selections since one game ended 72-7 to Maids Pumas and the Maids Jaguars lost 19-13 to St Brendan's. Match reports will follow.
We were made welcome by St. Brendan's but obviously our reception could not be compared to that at BACRC. As a school rather than a club, it is the teachers rather than the parents who run the matter. That changes the dynamic significantly. After a brief chat over beer and nibbles while the boys had a drink and a sandwich, welcome speeches and presentations were made. The Headmaster said that he had heard nothing but warm praise from the hosting parents as to the behaviour of our boys and that they obviously had all been well brought up. He said that the school had toured in every continent but that this visit, and their reciprocal one to Maidenhead in September, was hoped to be the start of a program of developing permanent links for future mutual benefit. We shall see.
When St Brendan's do visit later this year, it is going to be tough to match the hospitality shown to some of our boys. I do know that we will be hospitable and welcoming within our capability, but I don't know how many Maidenhead parents will ask the maid to clean their guests boots overnight, or will take a visiting boy to an exclusive private dining club at a horse-racing meeting. We are hoping to put together a “billet book” to capture some of these experiences.
The boys are back to their billet hosts tonight and then tomorrow we are off to Rosario.
Tuesday 13 July 2010
GRAEME'S BLOG DAY FIVE
Exterior: Wide Pampas sky; rich pastureland dotted with grazing horses.
Sound FX: Plangent classical guitar in minor key.
Camera zoom from distance to wide angle, focus pulled in tandem
Enter Right: The Man with No Name, slouched in an American saddle, mounted on a world-weary school pony immune to any ill-informed but self-important kicks and nudges, once bright tourist-trap poncho worn and faded after only 15 minutes, leatherette gaucho hat slightly too small and not really the look anyway.
Sound FX: music swells to a climax
Pull to CloseUp
Hat brim rises slowly to reveal silver-moustachioed “Colonel” Martin Sanders' thousand yard Patagonian wilderness stare.
Sanders: “Squeeze the chicken. Go on, squeeze the rubber chicken.”
Cut to Interior; 500 seat restaurant building.
Sound FX: Argentinian folk songs. Sound like desperate love songs if you speak no Spanish, actually have lyrics like “I really hate going to B&Q on Bank Holidays but the wife insists”.
Various Argentines in pirate costumes walk around taunting defenceless Brits and Taiwanese with groaning platters of grilled meat. George the Tango demonstrator is scanning the crowd for the best looking boy. The boys are scanning George's dancing partner for any sign of mutual recognition in the hope of private lessons.
Suddenly inspiration strikes and up to the stage flood Maidenhead U16s. “I don't believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now” rings out and the Simon Cowell employee at the back of the hall calls the office.
Fantastic excursion to the Santa Susana Estancia. “Any visit starts well if you are greeted with an empanada and a livening cup of wine.” (Copyright Avery, P.) Apparently the empanada recipe is a secret one passed down from a Maidenhead lorry driver. The horse riding/herding demonstration was quite brilliant, like the sunshine. Everyone who wanted to and was allowed to got to ride a horse, the Asado was succulent and the demonstration of ball dancing was just as astonishing as it sounds.
Good day. En route now to pass boys to their billet hosts and, hopefully, drain an alternative Buenos Aires hotel of a week's worth of hot water. St Brendan's can probably smell us coming.
Sound FX: Plangent classical guitar in minor key.
Camera zoom from distance to wide angle, focus pulled in tandem
Enter Right: The Man with No Name, slouched in an American saddle, mounted on a world-weary school pony immune to any ill-informed but self-important kicks and nudges, once bright tourist-trap poncho worn and faded after only 15 minutes, leatherette gaucho hat slightly too small and not really the look anyway.
Sound FX: music swells to a climax
Pull to CloseUp
Hat brim rises slowly to reveal silver-moustachioed “Colonel” Martin Sanders' thousand yard Patagonian wilderness stare.
Sanders: “Squeeze the chicken. Go on, squeeze the rubber chicken.”
Cut to Interior; 500 seat restaurant building.
Sound FX: Argentinian folk songs. Sound like desperate love songs if you speak no Spanish, actually have lyrics like “I really hate going to B&Q on Bank Holidays but the wife insists”.
Various Argentines in pirate costumes walk around taunting defenceless Brits and Taiwanese with groaning platters of grilled meat. George the Tango demonstrator is scanning the crowd for the best looking boy. The boys are scanning George's dancing partner for any sign of mutual recognition in the hope of private lessons.
Suddenly inspiration strikes and up to the stage flood Maidenhead U16s. “I don't believe that anybody feels the way I do about you now” rings out and the Simon Cowell employee at the back of the hall calls the office.
Fantastic excursion to the Santa Susana Estancia. “Any visit starts well if you are greeted with an empanada and a livening cup of wine.” (Copyright Avery, P.) Apparently the empanada recipe is a secret one passed down from a Maidenhead lorry driver. The horse riding/herding demonstration was quite brilliant, like the sunshine. Everyone who wanted to and was allowed to got to ride a horse, the Asado was succulent and the demonstration of ball dancing was just as astonishing as it sounds.
Good day. En route now to pass boys to their billet hosts and, hopefully, drain an alternative Buenos Aires hotel of a week's worth of hot water. St Brendan's can probably smell us coming.
GRAEME'S BLOG DAY FOUR - COMMUNITY DAY
Cheery greetings at breakfast confined to those (about a quarter) who had a hot shower. Mutinous rumblings from the rest. Off at 09:30 on the bus to the two children's homes we were visiting as part of our community contribution, an effort to make the tour more than just a jolly holiday. We had no programme or plan, although we thought their might be some painting and/or cooking involved. Stephen Cronbach, who organised our visits, said that it would soon be obvious what was needed. I don't think any of us, unless like Stephen and Sam Balfour they had done something similar before, had any idea what to expect.
We were separated into two parties. The smaller travelled around an hour south of Buenos Aires through increasingly rural areas and then through a beautiful park called Parque Pereyra Iraola and into a comfortable-looking town called Elisa. A straight road ran for maybe 10 miles past neat individual houses, many with swimming pools. Well kept gardens, two cars in the drive, bijou roadside businesses. Just off this strip we arrived at the Hogar Infantil Bethel. This children's home has 27 residents (of a capacity of 30) aged from 2 to 18 years. As we drew up and were greeted by Alejandro the manager, many of the children flocked curiously behind him. Soon hands were being shaken and a few smaller kids were picked up and carried, looking triumphantly at their mates. We had a quick tour of the main building and the kitchen, which Alejandro described as the heart of the home “like any other home”. He said that all the children came from difficult circumstances, some were orphans, some had been abandoned and some had been abused. He introduced us to one little 11 year old boy, Claudio, bright as a button, who had been found in the street with a 20cm knife wound to the stomach. He said that the home could give the children food and shelter, some security and access to education but that what they really need, like all children, is love and affection. So give them a hug. So that is what we did for the next 5 hours. There were games of rugby, football, footby and rugball. There were chases and peekaboo and paper, scissors, stone. There were little girls offering mud pies and showing us their chickens, ducks, geese and rabbits. All our cameras and phones were cooed over and looked at, and so were some of the boys by the older girls. The buildings and grounds were in reasonably good condition and the dormitories looked warm and comfortable. There was a big TV in the dining room where they were going to watch the World Cup Final later. Lunch was hamburgers which had been cooked by the older children.
We met the President of the Board and his wife and talked about the politics and economics of the institution. Governments come and go, he said, but there are always children who need help.
All the children we met were well-behaved and seemed happy enough, although some of the older boys were a little withdrawn, perhaps resentful of their dignity. Some of them were cute, some were not. Like us.
At the end we gathered for a group photo and told Alejandro that this was not the end. If we did not return in person, we now considered all the people of Hogar Bethel to be members of our club and we would be in contact in the future to help them however we could.
None of the children or staff spoke any English so special mention to Leo Smith and Danny Keir for translating between the adults. As to the kids, they spoke pretty much the same language as any other. They just needed a hug.
The larger group visited Hogar Alba. This home is in a very different area closer to the city. As you approach, people are still clearing the bush to build shanty housing. Katrina, who runs the home, explained that the children are sent by the courts and often have first to be registered as “official people” as many have never been recognised by the state before, something hard to comprehend in our structured and managed life in the UK.
Hogar Alba has a working farm and dairy and raises some of its own funding by cheesemaking. The main house is large but very ramshackle. Because it rained for most of the day, our activity was mainly in the sports hall, a large draughty space which used to be a barn. Spontaneous games of tag, football, passing and kicking, volleyball etc. went on all day. When lunch was due, the sports hall was converted to a dining room with tables made from old fencing topped with plastic sheeting. Hamburgers were wolfed down and the tables removed so that the games could resume.
In the afternoon a party of 20 boys went off to do some decorating on a house on the site, and the rest continued to play. Mike Trevena and Nic Jones, who had much to do with the organising of these visits, were invited to see the cows being milked and to feed the calves. Paul Trevena was brave enough to drink milk straight from the cow, a first for him and not an image I can get out of my head. Chris Dow saw a pig.
At the end of the day, there were hugs and smiles and some tears. Just as it should be. The people of Hogar Alba are Maids too. Katrina and her husband Zaqui were fantastic, as was Dorian, a helper from Amersham, who translated for us all day.
All the tourists were deeply affected by these visits. Whatever we gave financially and practically on the day was repaid many times over by the understanding we reached of how different life can be from our own. And by the hugs.
We were separated into two parties. The smaller travelled around an hour south of Buenos Aires through increasingly rural areas and then through a beautiful park called Parque Pereyra Iraola and into a comfortable-looking town called Elisa. A straight road ran for maybe 10 miles past neat individual houses, many with swimming pools. Well kept gardens, two cars in the drive, bijou roadside businesses. Just off this strip we arrived at the Hogar Infantil Bethel. This children's home has 27 residents (of a capacity of 30) aged from 2 to 18 years. As we drew up and were greeted by Alejandro the manager, many of the children flocked curiously behind him. Soon hands were being shaken and a few smaller kids were picked up and carried, looking triumphantly at their mates. We had a quick tour of the main building and the kitchen, which Alejandro described as the heart of the home “like any other home”. He said that all the children came from difficult circumstances, some were orphans, some had been abandoned and some had been abused. He introduced us to one little 11 year old boy, Claudio, bright as a button, who had been found in the street with a 20cm knife wound to the stomach. He said that the home could give the children food and shelter, some security and access to education but that what they really need, like all children, is love and affection. So give them a hug. So that is what we did for the next 5 hours. There were games of rugby, football, footby and rugball. There were chases and peekaboo and paper, scissors, stone. There were little girls offering mud pies and showing us their chickens, ducks, geese and rabbits. All our cameras and phones were cooed over and looked at, and so were some of the boys by the older girls. The buildings and grounds were in reasonably good condition and the dormitories looked warm and comfortable. There was a big TV in the dining room where they were going to watch the World Cup Final later. Lunch was hamburgers which had been cooked by the older children.
We met the President of the Board and his wife and talked about the politics and economics of the institution. Governments come and go, he said, but there are always children who need help.
All the children we met were well-behaved and seemed happy enough, although some of the older boys were a little withdrawn, perhaps resentful of their dignity. Some of them were cute, some were not. Like us.
At the end we gathered for a group photo and told Alejandro that this was not the end. If we did not return in person, we now considered all the people of Hogar Bethel to be members of our club and we would be in contact in the future to help them however we could.
None of the children or staff spoke any English so special mention to Leo Smith and Danny Keir for translating between the adults. As to the kids, they spoke pretty much the same language as any other. They just needed a hug.
The larger group visited Hogar Alba. This home is in a very different area closer to the city. As you approach, people are still clearing the bush to build shanty housing. Katrina, who runs the home, explained that the children are sent by the courts and often have first to be registered as “official people” as many have never been recognised by the state before, something hard to comprehend in our structured and managed life in the UK.
Hogar Alba has a working farm and dairy and raises some of its own funding by cheesemaking. The main house is large but very ramshackle. Because it rained for most of the day, our activity was mainly in the sports hall, a large draughty space which used to be a barn. Spontaneous games of tag, football, passing and kicking, volleyball etc. went on all day. When lunch was due, the sports hall was converted to a dining room with tables made from old fencing topped with plastic sheeting. Hamburgers were wolfed down and the tables removed so that the games could resume.
In the afternoon a party of 20 boys went off to do some decorating on a house on the site, and the rest continued to play. Mike Trevena and Nic Jones, who had much to do with the organising of these visits, were invited to see the cows being milked and to feed the calves. Paul Trevena was brave enough to drink milk straight from the cow, a first for him and not an image I can get out of my head. Chris Dow saw a pig.
At the end of the day, there were hugs and smiles and some tears. Just as it should be. The people of Hogar Alba are Maids too. Katrina and her husband Zaqui were fantastic, as was Dorian, a helper from Amersham, who translated for us all day.
All the tourists were deeply affected by these visits. Whatever we gave financially and practically on the day was repaid many times over by the understanding we reached of how different life can be from our own. And by the hugs.
Monday 12 July 2010
GRAEME'S BLOG DAY THREE
A cold shower is not necessarily the best mood lifter after a heavy night. The hotel management promised to see to it.
Off went the majority of the party to collect the boys at BACRC and swing straight into the City Tour. Tales of the billets were traded, some taller than others, but no complaints and many good friends had been made.
Pam and I decided that a little quiet time was called for and opted out. We grabbed a taxi and went straight to La Boca, a bohemian, touristy quarter with cafes, gift and arts and craft shops and stalls and tango demonstrators. We sat in the winter sunshine over a cervesa or two and watched the world go by. Sure enough, along with the world came Leo and some chums, searching for some grub between the City Tour and the Boca Juniors stadium visit. Meeting back at the bus supposedly at 1:40pm, the party did not get going until about 2:30 because of slow service. Oddly enough, the tourists were really, like, whatever, while the Latin American tour guide was boiling with frustration at this laid-back manyana attitude. Off went the bus at last and into the Parilla Paraiso went Pam and I for a leisurely grilled chicken and Malbec interlude. A bit of shopping (llama wool not something you see in Monsoon) and another gentle stroll and back to the hotel for a siesta.
Meanwhile there was a rugby tour going on – the City Tour was OK apparently, mainly centred on a cemetery, and the tomb of Evita Peron. “Is that where Madonna is buried?” was definitely the question of the day. The guide seemed keen to list the reasons so many Argentines die early – cholesterol from red meat, car accidents from red mist, suicide from red ink on balance sheets. The Boca Juniors Bombanero stadium tour was well received and the boys' did their impression of fanaticos climbing the screen. Everyone met later at the Hotel Presidente, a location with hot water, and where the boys were staying that night. The boys were sent out in groups of 5 or more to find their own dinner and the grownups dined together at El Establo, Paraguay 489, an old traditional BA restaurante. Massive Bifes de Chorizo (sirloin steaks) and good salad and chips for las vegetarianas. No doubt most of the boys had Triple Macs.
Earlyish night for everybody, not surprisingly.
Off went the majority of the party to collect the boys at BACRC and swing straight into the City Tour. Tales of the billets were traded, some taller than others, but no complaints and many good friends had been made.
Pam and I decided that a little quiet time was called for and opted out. We grabbed a taxi and went straight to La Boca, a bohemian, touristy quarter with cafes, gift and arts and craft shops and stalls and tango demonstrators. We sat in the winter sunshine over a cervesa or two and watched the world go by. Sure enough, along with the world came Leo and some chums, searching for some grub between the City Tour and the Boca Juniors stadium visit. Meeting back at the bus supposedly at 1:40pm, the party did not get going until about 2:30 because of slow service. Oddly enough, the tourists were really, like, whatever, while the Latin American tour guide was boiling with frustration at this laid-back manyana attitude. Off went the bus at last and into the Parilla Paraiso went Pam and I for a leisurely grilled chicken and Malbec interlude. A bit of shopping (llama wool not something you see in Monsoon) and another gentle stroll and back to the hotel for a siesta.
Meanwhile there was a rugby tour going on – the City Tour was OK apparently, mainly centred on a cemetery, and the tomb of Evita Peron. “Is that where Madonna is buried?” was definitely the question of the day. The guide seemed keen to list the reasons so many Argentines die early – cholesterol from red meat, car accidents from red mist, suicide from red ink on balance sheets. The Boca Juniors Bombanero stadium tour was well received and the boys' did their impression of fanaticos climbing the screen. Everyone met later at the Hotel Presidente, a location with hot water, and where the boys were staying that night. The boys were sent out in groups of 5 or more to find their own dinner and the grownups dined together at El Establo, Paraguay 489, an old traditional BA restaurante. Massive Bifes de Chorizo (sirloin steaks) and good salad and chips for las vegetarianas. No doubt most of the boys had Triple Macs.
Earlyish night for everybody, not surprisingly.
GRAEME'S BLOG DAY TWO PART III
After the games at BACRC we were invited to a reception and barbecue (“Asado”). Our hosts explained that we were the first people to use the new building in which this was to be held. When I say building, I really mean forty foot barbecue with a dining hall attached. Drinks and nibbles were served and the boys were sat down at three long tables the length of the hall. The clubs were alternated so that all the boys, at least to start, were integrated and forced to socialise. In truth there was no need to force it and the atmosphere was soon buzzing with talk and laughter. A long crossways table was set for the adults with commemorative table mats and ceremonial flags. Chorizo, morcilla (blood sausage), beef ribs, beefsteak and lambsteak were accompanied by a little bit of lettuce for Sudi and Chloe. Just when you thought it was safe to put your fork down, along came another slice of delicious flesh. Those that could manage pudding were offered ice cream and nuts.
The atmosphere was by now raucous with red and white wine and coca cola. Snatches of song threatened to break out but were interrupted by calls for silence and speeches. You know the sort of thing, welcome, brotherhood, game they play in heaven, zzzzzz. Well, the Chairman of Buenos Aires Cricket & Rugby Club held up a wallboard inscribed with the names of club members who had given their lives fighting for Britain in the 1939-1945 World War II. Their club had been founded by British expats building water and rail infrastructure for Argentina, was still based around feeder schools known as Collegios Ingles, and counted its shared heritage and connections with Britain as central to its identity. Rugby is about people, he said, but also about institutions, and both needed to work at maintaining and deepening their relationship. In perfect English, of course, it was a powerful and affecting address.
Maidenhead held their own, naturally,Head Coach Gareth Andrews-Jones replying in Spanish and thanking BACRC for their remarkable hospitality. Alex Avery and Leo Smith, also in Spanish, presented prizes to the BA men of the matches and the referees. Chairman Michael O'Flaherty (in O'Flaherty) extended a reciprocal invitation for a tour to England in 2012. And that was that.
Well, no. As the adults repaired to the main clubhouse for coffee and George and Marcelo toured around with bottles of J&B whisky for those who wanted it, the boys cleared out the new building and set it up for a party. Plans were begun as to how MRFC really could host an inbound tour in 2011/12. We mean to do it. Drifting in in twos and threes appeared what were unmistakeably teenage girls eager to practice their English. By 11 o'clock the joint was jumping and the somewhat bleary Maidenhead grownups were invited to munch on a few beef rolls in the barbecue annex while their young charges showed their hosts some dance moves next door. Naturally this was all quite chaste and sober. Around one am the adults crawled gratefully onto the coach and left the boys to it.
The atmosphere was by now raucous with red and white wine and coca cola. Snatches of song threatened to break out but were interrupted by calls for silence and speeches. You know the sort of thing, welcome, brotherhood, game they play in heaven, zzzzzz. Well, the Chairman of Buenos Aires Cricket & Rugby Club held up a wallboard inscribed with the names of club members who had given their lives fighting for Britain in the 1939-1945 World War II. Their club had been founded by British expats building water and rail infrastructure for Argentina, was still based around feeder schools known as Collegios Ingles, and counted its shared heritage and connections with Britain as central to its identity. Rugby is about people, he said, but also about institutions, and both needed to work at maintaining and deepening their relationship. In perfect English, of course, it was a powerful and affecting address.
Maidenhead held their own, naturally,Head Coach Gareth Andrews-Jones replying in Spanish and thanking BACRC for their remarkable hospitality. Alex Avery and Leo Smith, also in Spanish, presented prizes to the BA men of the matches and the referees. Chairman Michael O'Flaherty (in O'Flaherty) extended a reciprocal invitation for a tour to England in 2012. And that was that.
Well, no. As the adults repaired to the main clubhouse for coffee and George and Marcelo toured around with bottles of J&B whisky for those who wanted it, the boys cleared out the new building and set it up for a party. Plans were begun as to how MRFC really could host an inbound tour in 2011/12. We mean to do it. Drifting in in twos and threes appeared what were unmistakeably teenage girls eager to practice their English. By 11 o'clock the joint was jumping and the somewhat bleary Maidenhead grownups were invited to munch on a few beef rolls in the barbecue annex while their young charges showed their hosts some dance moves next door. Naturally this was all quite chaste and sober. Around one am the adults crawled gratefully onto the coach and left the boys to it.
MORE PICTURES
More pics you want, more pics you get:
http://www.maidenheadrfc.com/twg176/index.php?twg_album=U16+Pictures%2FArgentina
I will put this in Useful Links below and it should update automatically.
http://www.maidenheadrfc.com/twg176/index.php?twg_album=U16+Pictures%2FArgentina
I will put this in Useful Links below and it should update automatically.
Sunday 11 July 2010
Another Buenos Aires CRC U15-U17 XV 38pts vs. MRFC U16 Jaguars 16pts
Buenos Aires got their own back in the second game. They started fast with good simple handling and confident running. Maids put in some good tackles to start with, James Hibberdine, Daniel AJ and Michael Anderson all dropping their targets with style. But suddenly a tackle was missed and through the gap went the scrumhalf, a step and a swerve, 7-0 after only two minutes. Sensibly Dom Bart opted to kick a penalty and get some points up. This BA pack were very well drilled and looked much more a unit than the first selection. They drove well with good body positions and they did it in twos and threes. Even if Maids had hands on the ball they found themselves losing ground. Their scrum was taut as well and the next try came from a ball forced loose from a Maidenhead put in – another pickup and scuttle by the same player, converted for 14-3.
Maids came back with verve, Alex Avery running almost in on the left wing. BA defended furiously and gave away four or five penalties in succession within 5 metres. When another tap led to a turnover and run back only stopped by a flying Hibberdine last man. Bart wisely elected to settle for 3 points from the next penalty.
Maids were actually playing pretty well, Will Thompson kicking diagonally for centres Lawrence MacSwan and DAJ. Nothing quite went to hand however and the last such attack of the half was just a bit long. The BA fullback launched a counter and fed his strong and quick left wing. DAJ tracked him back and knocked him down but could not prevent the kick ahead and infield. The bounce favoured the chaser and another goal made it 21-6 at halftime.
The second half started with a fantastic outside break by MacSwan, almost from 22 to 22. He turned inside looking for support but only found defenders. Hal Orchard's pickup and drive from the resulting ruck went close. Back came BA, now trying a few rolling mauls and making lots of ground. The pressure told and a well-worked inside pass put a centre through a narrow gap between two forwards feeling the pace.
26-6 starts to look a tall order but Maids were not finished. Maybe the BA forwards were now tiring because Maids began to win some cleaner ball. Once the outside backs found some space, MacSwan, AJ and Anderson began to win some footraces and the BA defence was stretched. Sure enough MacSwan finished a wide move and Bart hit the post to narrow the gap to 26-11. Maybe it could have been saved even now but a mildly controversial try which both teams seemed to think was held up (BA had almost to be persuaded to take a conversion) slammed the door shut. There was time for Calum O'Flaherty to crown a strong display with a try out wide right before the final whistle.
One game all on the day was probably a fair outcome. The two sets of mixed teams served up good entertainment and played in fine spirit.
Squad: McCarthy, Anderson, Andrews-Jones, MacSwan, Hibberdine, Thompson, Thomas (VC), Avery A, Jones, Nicol, Orchard, Baxter, Cronbach, Bart (Capt.), O'Flaherty, Hull, Keir, O'Callen-Smith, Eckles
Maids came back with verve, Alex Avery running almost in on the left wing. BA defended furiously and gave away four or five penalties in succession within 5 metres. When another tap led to a turnover and run back only stopped by a flying Hibberdine last man. Bart wisely elected to settle for 3 points from the next penalty.
Maids were actually playing pretty well, Will Thompson kicking diagonally for centres Lawrence MacSwan and DAJ. Nothing quite went to hand however and the last such attack of the half was just a bit long. The BA fullback launched a counter and fed his strong and quick left wing. DAJ tracked him back and knocked him down but could not prevent the kick ahead and infield. The bounce favoured the chaser and another goal made it 21-6 at halftime.
The second half started with a fantastic outside break by MacSwan, almost from 22 to 22. He turned inside looking for support but only found defenders. Hal Orchard's pickup and drive from the resulting ruck went close. Back came BA, now trying a few rolling mauls and making lots of ground. The pressure told and a well-worked inside pass put a centre through a narrow gap between two forwards feeling the pace.
26-6 starts to look a tall order but Maids were not finished. Maybe the BA forwards were now tiring because Maids began to win some cleaner ball. Once the outside backs found some space, MacSwan, AJ and Anderson began to win some footraces and the BA defence was stretched. Sure enough MacSwan finished a wide move and Bart hit the post to narrow the gap to 26-11. Maybe it could have been saved even now but a mildly controversial try which both teams seemed to think was held up (BA had almost to be persuaded to take a conversion) slammed the door shut. There was time for Calum O'Flaherty to crown a strong display with a try out wide right before the final whistle.
One game all on the day was probably a fair outcome. The two sets of mixed teams served up good entertainment and played in fine spirit.
Squad: McCarthy, Anderson, Andrews-Jones, MacSwan, Hibberdine, Thompson, Thomas (VC), Avery A, Jones, Nicol, Orchard, Baxter, Cronbach, Bart (Capt.), O'Flaherty, Hull, Keir, O'Callen-Smith, Eckles
GRAEME'S BLOG DAY TWO PART II
I don't really know how to start describing our welcome at Buenos Aires CRC. I struggle to imagine something similar happening at MRFC.
45 minutes outside central BA you turn off into a suburb of mid-scale low rise houses, large areas still bare ground with a pattern of streets paved but yet to be built up. This was an old shallow lake which has been drained and is gradually being turned over to development. The club lies at the centre of the area, with the remnant of the original lake just behind the clubhouse. As the bus drew up, a small welcoming committee – George Grant, Fernando and Frankie Deges came forward and shook hands. Ah, that's nice, we thought. Then a couple of lads came over and offered greetings as well, and then a few more and suddenly there were 50 or 60 young Argentinians smiling and shaking hands with every Maids player and chatting in good English with the staff and supporters. The whole milling throng then crabbed across to the wide open area between the two main club buildings and George organised a big circle of all the boys. Calling a local boy out by name, he read the name of the visiting Maid(s) to be hosted and the room-mates came forward to shake hands and greet each other. I watched a couple of BACRC players miming an upward handshake, as if with a giant, and indeed it was noticeable that the Maids had half a head on the hosts throughout.
These introductions complete, all the Maids boys and half the BA boys went off to change and, far from disappearing into teenage isolation, most of the rest came and chatted with any visiting adult. I got cornered by about a dozen of them and was quizzed about the ages of our boys, which Premiership team I followed (Harlequins, I owned, Ah, Gonzalo Camacho, he is from this club, they puffed up with pride). They wanted to know if Maidenhead played against Wasps and Leicester and I struggled to explain the number of levels in between. They asked if we had had new shirts made for our tour and they were obviously touched by the national flag in the design. They asked why the Uruguay flag as well and snorted when I said we were a bit apprehensive at facing a national selection in Montevideo. They were dismissive of their neighbours in less than polite language. They asked if I rated Martin Johnson and if England could win the RWC. I said I would be happy to qualify from the group stage ahead of Argentina and Scotland and they laughed. They were surprised when I pointed out that not all the Maids they would be playing were English and one of them said we must be the British Lions!
Off went the boys for a bit of warm up and then into the games. There is more to come but I am off to the orphanage now.
45 minutes outside central BA you turn off into a suburb of mid-scale low rise houses, large areas still bare ground with a pattern of streets paved but yet to be built up. This was an old shallow lake which has been drained and is gradually being turned over to development. The club lies at the centre of the area, with the remnant of the original lake just behind the clubhouse. As the bus drew up, a small welcoming committee – George Grant, Fernando and Frankie Deges came forward and shook hands. Ah, that's nice, we thought. Then a couple of lads came over and offered greetings as well, and then a few more and suddenly there were 50 or 60 young Argentinians smiling and shaking hands with every Maids player and chatting in good English with the staff and supporters. The whole milling throng then crabbed across to the wide open area between the two main club buildings and George organised a big circle of all the boys. Calling a local boy out by name, he read the name of the visiting Maid(s) to be hosted and the room-mates came forward to shake hands and greet each other. I watched a couple of BACRC players miming an upward handshake, as if with a giant, and indeed it was noticeable that the Maids had half a head on the hosts throughout.
These introductions complete, all the Maids boys and half the BA boys went off to change and, far from disappearing into teenage isolation, most of the rest came and chatted with any visiting adult. I got cornered by about a dozen of them and was quizzed about the ages of our boys, which Premiership team I followed (Harlequins, I owned, Ah, Gonzalo Camacho, he is from this club, they puffed up with pride). They wanted to know if Maidenhead played against Wasps and Leicester and I struggled to explain the number of levels in between. They asked if we had had new shirts made for our tour and they were obviously touched by the national flag in the design. They asked why the Uruguay flag as well and snorted when I said we were a bit apprehensive at facing a national selection in Montevideo. They were dismissive of their neighbours in less than polite language. They asked if I rated Martin Johnson and if England could win the RWC. I said I would be happy to qualify from the group stage ahead of Argentina and Scotland and they laughed. They were surprised when I pointed out that not all the Maids they would be playing were English and one of them said we must be the British Lions!
Off went the boys for a bit of warm up and then into the games. There is more to come but I am off to the orphanage now.
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