But seriously, I'd rate myself as a pretty average flyhalf yet I made it. Its an achievement for me because I don't rate myself at all.m
Just kidding around. Battle of the loose forwards could be quite good though. Let me just pull up the post counts 6. Lee Sweetman 133 7. Jake Howe (c) 1800 8. Zinzan Brumby 500ish on CW 6 Hurricane 1400ish + 200 more if Heef is counting my CW posts 7 Martyn 594 8 Yates 756 From experience brumby punches well above his weight. And howe has suddenly gotten very good in recent matches. Should be a good battle.
( 0:03.45: Saxons 0 - 0 NZers) The next phase to be played from 13 metres on the Saxons side of the halfway line. Line Out to NZers. Darryn Howell weighs up the calls in his mind. He throws. Easy take there for the NZers. Crossfire Hurricane comes around the near side and catches it at short range. The ball carrier drives at the opposition line and gains 4 metres before the offload. ( 0:04.00: Saxons 0 - 0 NZers) The next phase to be played from 17 metres on the Saxons side of the halfway line. Mike Martyn with the ball on the run here. He's already gained 6 metres. Simon Nova is running across to close him down but he manages to offload to Sam Somerset in time. ( 0:04.15: Saxons 0 - 0 NZers) We're now 23 metres into Saxons territory. Sam Somerset on the run with the ball. He looks around and sizes up his options. He's already gained 4 metres. He quickly looks over his shoulder and sees Chris Raftery closing in but the tackler hasn't been able to wrap up the arms and he's able to pass to James Torres just before he's wrestled to the ground. ( 0:04.30: Saxons 0 - 0 NZers) 27 metres into the Saxons side of the field. James Torres on the run with the ball. He looks around and sizes up his options. He looks to run, but it doesn't look like there's anywhere to go. Good tackle by Okoudou Gbagbo and a ruck forms. ( 0:04.45: Saxons 0 - 0 NZers) 27 metres into the Saxons side of the field. Darryn Howell is tackled by Lee Sweetman for the Saxons and a ruck forms. The ruck is contested but there's clearly some Saxons hands in that ruck. The ref's spotted it. Penalty to the NZers. ( 0:05.00: Saxons 0 - 0 NZers) 27 metres into the Saxons side of the field. Penalty to the NZers to be taken by Sam Somerset. From here, they're going to have a Kick for Touch. That sails over the head of the fullback and deep into touch, 19 metres up-field. Great strike. ( 0:05.15: Saxons 0 - 0 NZers) We're now 46 metres into Saxons territory. Line Out to NZers. Terrible throw from Darryn Howell. Not straight is the call - scrum. ( 0:05.30: Saxons 0 - 0 NZers) That brings the ball up to 46 metres in Saxons territory. Clean scrum for the Saxons and Chad Dyer receives the ball quickly from Jonathan Jones. Chad Dyer opts to kick here for the Saxons. He's trying to Kick for Touch. He's quickly put this one into touch. And who can blame him? A gain of 16 metres. ( 0:05.45: Saxons 0 - 0 NZers) The next phase to be played from 30 metres on the Saxons side of the halfway line. Line Out to NZers. The calls come from the lines. Darryn Howell throws and that's right down the middle. Who can time their leap best? Easy take there for the NZers. Denzel Petrucci comes around the near side and catches it at short range. Oh. He's been held up in the tackle. The Saxons try to rip the ball out from Denzel Petrucci in the tackle, but the NZers forwards drive in here and get the ball carrier to ground for a ruck. 1 metres gained. ( 0:06.00: Saxons 0 - 0 NZers) 31 metres into the Saxons side of the field. Peter Jackson on the run with the ball. He looks around and sizes up his options. He's already gained 9 metres. Chad Dyer is running across to close him down but he draws in the tackler and gets the offload away to Matt Dorn. ( 0:06.15: Saxons 0 - 0 NZers) That brings the ball up to 40 metres in Saxons territory. Matt Dorn with a great turn of pace. He's already gained 5 metres. He quickly looks over his shoulder and sees Chris Warrington closing in but he draws in the tackler and gets the offload away to Crossfire Hurricane. ( 0:06.30: Saxons 0 - 0 NZers) The next phase to be played from 45 metres on the Saxons side of the halfway line. Crossfire Hurricane with the ball on the run here. He's already gained 4 metres. He quickly looks over his shoulder and sees Chris Raftery closing in but the tackler hasn't been able to wrap up the arms and he's able to pass back to Matt Dorn before he's wrestled to the ground. ( 0:06.45: Saxons 0 - 0 NZers) The next phase to be played from 49 metres on the Saxons side of the halfway line. Matt Dorn has plenty of space to play with and he slides over in the corner. TRY TO NZers Can the NZers make it seven points? Sam Somerset steadies himself for the conversion attempt. Great kick. He's nailed that one and they earn the extra 2 points. Saxons 0 - 7 NZers
( 0:22.30: Saxons 0 - 7 NZers) Into NZers territory now. 16 metres from the halfway line. Okoudou Gbagbo with the ball on the run here. He looks to run, but it doesn't look like there's anywhere to go. Passes to no one in particular, who - no surprises - fails to collect it in spectacular fashion. That's a knock on as well. ( 0:22.45: Saxons 0 - 7 NZers) The next phase to be played from 16 metres on the NZers side of the halfway line. Scrum to the NZers. The scrum collapses as the ball's fed. The referee has called Darryn Howell for that offense. That'll be a penalty to the Saxons ( 0:23.00: Saxons 0 - 7 NZers) That brings the ball up to 16 metres in NZers territory. Penalty to the Saxons to be taken by Chad Dyer. From here, they're going to have a Kick for Touch. Poor kick. He's failed to find touch there with the penalty, and the NZers snap up the ball. Terrible. ( 0:23.15: Saxons 0 - 7 NZers) The next phase to be played from 26 metres on the NZers side of the halfway line. Incredible stuff here! He's burst through the defensive line and he's on a run. Haydos Bots with the ball for the NZers. Wow he's looking like John Kirwan here - there's no stopping him and he's in. Great effort. A great run of 77 metres. TRY!! TRY TO NZers Sam Somerset lines up the conversion attempt for the NZers. He breathes in deeply and begins his run up. Great kick. He's nailed that one and they earn the extra 2 points. Saxons 0 - 14 NZers HALF TIME
( 0:48.00: Saxons 0 - 14 NZers) Into Saxons territory now. 12 metres from the halfway line Chris Warrington with the ball on the run here. He looks to run, but it doesn't look like there's anywhere to go. Good tackle by Haydos Bots and a ruck forms. ( 0:48.15: Saxons 0 - 14 NZers) The next phase to be played from 12 metres on the Saxons side of the halfway line. Zinzan Brumby is tackled by Bill Kirk for the NZers and a ruck forms. The ruck is contested. There's nothing he can do on his own, and the NZers secure the turnover. ( 0:48.30: Saxons 0 - 14 NZers) The next phase to be played from 15 metres on the Saxons side of the halfway line. Jonty Rhodes is tackled by Lee Sweetman for the Saxons and a ruck forms. The ruck is contested. There's nothing he can do on his own, and the Saxons secure the turnover. ( 0:48.45: Saxons 0 - 14 NZers) Into Saxons territory now. 13 metres from the halfway line He's spotted a gap, and he's gone for it. Yes, he's through! Chad Dyer with the ball for the Saxons. The replay shows the tiniest of gaps for Chad Dyer to work with, but he's sliced through and scores in the corner following a run of 64 metres. TRY TO Saxons Conversion attempt for the Saxons. Kick to be taken by Chad Dyer. Oh dear me. He's sliced that one horribly, the try remains unconverted. Only 5 points added to their total. Saxons 5 - 14 NZ A
( 1:05.00: Saxons 5 - 14 NZers) The next phase to be played from 34 metres on the Saxons side of the halfway line. Line Out to NZers. Darryn Howell struggles to hear the calls over the cheering of the crowd. He waits, then throws. Easy take there for the NZers. It's taken long by Denzel Petrucci and he weighs up his options. The NZers look to form a maul and rumble a few metres up field. They gain 7 metres. Looks like there's been some infringement from the Saxons here. Penalty to the NZers. Yes. Offside at the maul is the call and this gives the NZers the chance to extend their lead. ( 1:05.15: Saxons 5 - 14 NZers) That brings the ball up to 41 metres in Saxons territory. Penalty to the NZers to be taken by Sam Somerset. From here, they're going to have a Kick At Goal. A lovely kick, he's already running back he knows how good that one was. PENALTY GOAL TO NZers Saxons 5 - 17 NZers
( 1:18.15: Saxons 5 - 17 NZers) They're into Saxons territory. 17 metres from their try line. Line Out to NZers. The calls come from the lines. Darryn Howell throws and that's right down the middle. Who can time their leap best? Easy take there for the NZers. The ball secured easily by Samuel Yates. And they've gained another 10 metres from driving the resulting maul. Some impressive power out there today. Another mauling penalty here. One of the Saxons players brought the maul down illegally. He's lucky to still be on the field there. A very cynical play. Still, a penalty kick it is. ( 1:18.30: Saxons 5 - 17 NZers) We're now 43 metres into Saxons territory. Penalty to the NZers to be taken by Sam Somerset. From here, they're going to have a Kick At Goal. Shaky connection there, but it's got the legs to make it. 3 more for the NZers. PENALTY GOAL TO NZers Saxons 5 - 20 NZers FULL TIME
Great Britain Saxons (5) Tries: Dyer New Zealand A (20) Tries: Bots, Dorn Penalties: Somerset x 2 Conversions: Somerset x 2
Code: GB TOTAL SCRUMS WON 14 SCRUMS LOST 17 SCRUMS WON AGAINST FEED 2 LINE OUTS WON 13 LINE OUTS WON AGAINST THROW 6 LINE OUTS NOT STRAIGHT 4 LINE OUT INFRINGEMENTS 0 RUCK INFRINGEMENTS 10 MAULS WON 0 MAUL INFRINGEMENTS 0 METRES GAINED FROM OPEN PLAY 287 POSSESSION 49% TIME IN OPPOSITION 22 (seconds) 345 TERRITORY (seconds) 54% SCRUM METRES 17 TACKLES MADE 55 TACKLES MISSED 27 Code: NZ TOTAL SCRUMS WON 17 SCRUMS LOST 14 SCRUMS WON AGAINST FEED 0 LINE OUTS WON 12 LINE OUTS WON AGAINST THROW 4 LINE OUTS NOT STRAIGHT 3 LINE OUT INFRINGEMENTS 0 RUCK INFRINGEMENTS 2 MAULS WON 1 MAUL INFRINGEMENTS 0 METRES GAINED FROM OPEN PLAY 301 POSSESSION 51% TIME IN OPPOSITION 22 (seconds) 480 TERRITORY (seconds) 46% SCRUM METRES 16 TACKLES MADE 50 TACKLES MISSED 23
Code: Team MTk TkM BTk HE RM KMiP KMPen KiP KE PenIP GA GS CA CS LB NR IEAG OS HITR SI LOOB LOS LOI BT TA T LBA Time Zinzan Brumby GB 3 5 0 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 80 Chris Raftery GB 6 3 4 1 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 Lee Sweetman GB 1 5 0 1 11 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 Roger Mellie GB 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 Ginger Furball GB 1 4 6 1 41 50 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 Okoudou Gbagbo GB 0 5 1 2 6 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 6 0 0 0 80 Jonathan Jones GB 0 1 1 1 6 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 1 0 3 80 Jake Howe GB 1 8 2 0 26 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 1 80 Matthew Jones GB 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 3 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 80 Chris Warring'n GB 3 2 3 1 24 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 Chad Dyer GB 3 3 2 1 73 154 116 9 5 9 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 80 Simon Nova GB 3 1 3 1 19 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 Chuck Faldo GB 3 3 1 1 9 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 John McGrath GB 0 5 0 1 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 4 0 1 0 0 0 80 Bruce Force GB 2 6 0 2 14 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 7 0 0 1 80 Samuel Yates NZ 0 4 1 0 16 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 2 0 0 0 80 Peter Jackson NZ 4 4 4 1 23 37 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 John Heads NZ 1 4 5 0 32 18 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 Bill Kirk NZ 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 80 Jonty Rhodes NZ 4 6 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 80 James Torres NZ 0 6 1 0 21 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 9 0 0 1 80 Darryn Howell NZ 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 Cro'e Hurricane NZ 1 4 3 2 27 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 4 0 0 0 80 Chris Smith NZ 1 6 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 80 Haydos Bots NZ 0 3 0 3 90 187 0 9 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 80 Mike Martyn NZ 2 5 1 2 13 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 80 Denzel Petrucci NZ 1 2 0 1 9 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 3 0 1 0 0 0 0 80 Matt Dorn NZ 1 0 9 1 60 57 0 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 80 Sam Somerset NZ 4 2 3 0 10 0 192 0 0 12 3 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80 Daniel Veza NZ 3 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 80
Zinzan Brumby 7 Chris Raftery 6 Lee Sweetman 7 Roger Mellie 6 Ginger Furball 8 Okoudou Gbagbo 8 Jonathan Jones 4 Jake Howe 8 Matthew Jones 5 Chris Warrington 7 Chad Dyer 7.5 Simon Nova 7 Chuck Faldo 6 John McGrath 9 Bruce Force 8 Samuel Yates 8 Peter Jackson 8 John Heads 8 Bill Kirk 5 Jonty Rhodes 6 James Torres 10 Darryn Howell 6 Crossfire Hurricane 7.5 Chris Smith 7 Haydos Bots 9 Mike Martyn 7 Denzel Petrucci 7 Matt Dorn 9 Sam Somerset 7 Daniel Veza 5
POTS 3 points - James Torres (NZ A) 2 - Matt Dorn (NZ A) 1 - Haydos Bots (NZ A) John McGrath was the best player for the Saxons. COTS 3 points - Jonathan Jones (GB) 2 - Daniel Veza (NZ A) 1 - Bill Kirk (NZ A)
