Another glorious day awaited the FUGS as they made their way to JOE BAKER FIELD early on Saturday morning to set up for the annual FUGS Home Game. FUGS could be seen frantically mulling around, aimlessly picking things up and hoping they were put down in the correct place. Meanwhile, other FUGS sat in their vehicles around the corner, reading the newspaper and hoping that all the hard work was done before they arrived.
By about 11.30am it appeared that everyone had achieved their goals and things were well and truly on track by the time the first lot of players arrived for the day’s games. Apologies for the very brief game results, but, the priority was ensuring the day ran smoothly and nothing was left to chance.
Western Lions Under 18s (Part of the Townsville Junior competition) played the initial curtain raiser to the senior matches and made it three from six for the season and got them well and truly on track for the season.
It was about this time that the first and only glitch occurred when one of the spectators wondered if his beef burger should have actually had some beef in it. The matter was rectified immediately and the missing pattie was located and installed into the burger.
Under 20s: Lost 16-36
A much improved performance from the Under 20s after some significant changes throughout the week. They actually led for a majority of the first half, but faded. Nevertheless, much brighter prospects are expected from here on in.
Brian ‘Tits’ Letizia was manning the bar and bemoaning the fact that he didn’t have a lot of drinking partners, but along came Jon Russell (visiting from Cairns), who gave him something to cheer about.
Ken Veness was our trusty ‘gate keeper’ and as he began, he wondered where his day’s journey would end. Some say that it matters not what happens in the end providing the journey is fulfilling. And, when it did end for Ken, he felt more filled then full.
Reggies: Won 44-18
The Reggies have been on a mighty roll of late and continued this on Saturday. Leading the way was, ‘Doigy’, perhaps the oldest man playing rugby league, or, does it just seem that way because he started playing for Uni when he was six, and now he’s thirty six? The ‘Hulk’, now sporting a ‘movie star’ hair do was often spotted with flowing locks blowing in the substantial breeze that he created with his strong runs.
Mario ‘BBQ’ La Fauci was working up a mighty thirst while cooking the BBQ, but, it never went unquenched.
Russ Cook always appeared to be there, but, no one was prepared to accuse him of working.
Stevie Mac came, went, came back, and stayed to the end. He appeared from nowhere when he was most needed, but, unlike the Lone Ranger, he left well after the setting sun.
A Grade: Lost 40-42
The SAINTS started slowly and by half time were done by 20 points and not looking too flash. At this point the FUGS were happy that they were busy doing other things. However, the match got a lot more interesting in the second half as they commenced their stirring comeback. Fullback, Scott Evans, had another strong game and his penalty attempt after the hooter, to try and level the match, was always going to be a bit out of range from 45 meters and against the breeze.
The FUGS then went about the arduous task of cleaning up, aided by: the wonderful young girls from the Cathedral School who helped in the canteen; Joe ‘Treasurer’ Jones who knows his way all too well around the home game cleaning process; Moses ‘President’ Nelliman, who could have gone home a lot earlier if he didn’t stop to thank the FUGS every five minutes; and Craig ‘The Work Horse’ Yardley who volunteered for the unenviable job of cleaning the dressing rooms.
When the work was done, some FUGS took some time on the deck to reflect and refresh. Another successful FUGS Home Game was complete. The only reward required was the knowledge that we had once again assisted the Club we all love … The Mighty SAINTS!
