The Uni Saints REGGIES were out to ambush the Burdekin who finished 2nd on the ladder and FUGS President, TAV, got right into the theme wearing his Anzac Day camouflage jersey and cap, which made him very hard to spot. We think he even got into the ground without paying. On the line was a spot in the Grand Final against HerbertRiver.
It didn’t take long for UNI to assert some dominance and after a strong set Zac put up a towering bomb which had spiders on it. As the Burdekin full back let it bounce, Zac pounced and then found Doigy backing up to score in the corner, right in front of the FUGS who were loitering near the bar. Doigy’s elation was obvious as he mimicked the ‘Oh what a feeling’ Toyota ad. A couple of FUGS tried to copy him but then had to return to the bar … to get some ice for a couple of torn hammys.
The ice hadn’t had time to stem the internal bleeding before the SAINTS were again scoring in the same corner off a sweeping back line move with double block runners and Kieran drew the final defender to give Nicklin the opportunity to perform a 3.5 degree of difficulty dive to beat the covering defence. Kieran’s old man, Steve, was blocking the setting sun in the crowd and commented “he should have gone himself, that’s what I would have done.” 10 nil after 7 mins.
Then …. 9 minutes in the FUGS held their breath as DOIGY went off with what looked like a serious knee injury. Tav moved stealthily through the crowd to get a medical report. Spectators felt a presence moving amongst them, but, for the life of them couldn’t see anyone. A couple of minutes later even the FUGS were wondering who was saying “Doigy’s only got a severe cork.” And the relief was punctuated by another try to Mono in the opposite corner and they were really making life difficult for Zac to add extras. 14 – 0.
During a slow period of the match with uncompleted sets and ill discipline from both teams the FUGS conversation meandered slightly and Worthy confirmed that the Cowboys would get a home semi-final regardless of a win or loss against the Broncos. This is the sort of information sharing that is synonymous with the FUGS. That’s just the way we roll. Another dropped ball somehow ignited the Townsville CBD stadium debate and Steve Crowley was adamant it was a good idea but Mario pointed out that he was just an idiot which by his logic, made him right.
Back to the footy and with 9 minutes remaining in the half Rhys Hansen went himself and scored 5 metres to the right of the posts, but, got up limping and became a further addition to the casualty ward. 20-0 after Zac’s conversion, and that’s how it remained until half time.
During the break Mario and Crowley reminisced about the good old days of Dwarf Tossing at the Seaview hotel and Andre the Giant wrestling midgets up in Cairns. Doug (Man with a Shovel) was talking about horses and socks but that’s as far as we go with that one. And Cookie’s only concern was who’s shout it was next. As the second half commencement approached, Joey suggested that if they were to catch the ball at the kick off that will be a good start.
The REGGIES penchant for scoring tries in the corners was further accentuated as Moses dived low to eat grass and ground the ball in the shadows of the scoreboard. 24 – 0. In the first half, UNI had used the strong breeze coming off Cleveland Bay to their advantage and the FUGS were concerned that if Burdekin finally caught on to that idea the strong lead my not be enough. Their concern turned to anguish as the opposition finally got over the stripe and the successful conversion made it 24 – 6 and the FUGS sensed that the Reggies were tiring as a result of running into that strong head wind.
The Reggies proved in the first week of the Semis that they’re not just an attacking team. Their defence is also very solid and they showed that as the continually repelled the Burdekin with excellent goal line defence. The mystery voice that the FUGS had been hearing all afternoon was getting louder. It sounded like Tav, but he was still no where to be seen. 5 to go and Zac was listening to the voice… And popped over a field goal to stretch the lead to 19.
With 3 minutes left on the clock the Reggies PNG import, APA, returned the ball strongly and found Nicklin with plenty of room on the right who in turn found Zac. As he lumbered down the sideline, all of a sudden, the FUGS weren’t sure what they saw … “Was that a goose step?” Well it was a step of sorts but Zac is no goose and he drew the full back as he passed back inside to Moses who trundled under the posts to allow Zac a simple conversion and take the score to 31 – 6.
Meanwhile, way back on the 30 metre line Nicklin was doubled over after being hit late and the FUGS were concerned. He was hunched over on one knee and looked like he may have been looking for his teeth on the ground. But, the only thing he could find was his breakfast. There was a lot of orange (gold) in it as it came gushing out and the FUGS mused that if he’d also eaten something blue then he would have been spewing club colours.
The final siren went and the REGGIES had booked their appointment with history. The time being 1.15pm on Sunday 13th September.
DO IT FOR DOIGY. Go the REGGIES and Go the MIGHTY SAINTS!
Cheers … The Saint
