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Bears
on prowl in Vietnam
Rugby
Union
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The
crowd roars as the HMAS Adelaide Bears take to the field
against the Saigon Geckos.
Photo by SBLT Matt Calvert.
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Spirits
were high as the two sides gathered after sweating it out
in a close finish in Vietnam.
Photo by SBLT Matt Calvert.
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You
could see the focus in the eyes of the players of the HMAS Adelaide
Bears as they arrived at the rugby ground in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Fresh from a resounding win in Singapore, the boys were keen to
achieve a clean sweep during HMAS Adelaide’s (CMDR D.L. Johnston)
up top deployment and only had local champions, the Saigon Geckos
in their way.
Buses to the ground were filled with shipmates all wanting to see
their rugby side in action and they were not to be disappointed.
From the moment the team was stirringly led onto the field by the
ship’s piper LEUT Hurd until the final whistle, the spectators
were on the edge of their seats.
The Bears set the tone from the start with the backs making valuable
yards every time they touched the ball.
Combined with some great passing, LSPT Carroll went over for the
first try on the end of a deftly executed backline move.
The stifling conditions were not ideal for running rugby, but with
plenty of interchanging, the effect of the conditions was minimised.
Only some excellent work in tight helped keep the Bears in control
of the match with the Geckos proving to be excellent opposition
after getting two quick tries.
ABET Tuckerman continued his good form from the week before by leading
the forwards into control over the larger Gecko pack.
With some great line-out work from ABBM West and ABCSO Morgan, the
Bears found options and room in the backline, resulting in tries
out wide late in the first half giving them a three tries to two
half-time lead.
The second half further tested the Gecko pack (bolstered by Bears
players), which came out firing and scored two tries as the weather
conditions took their toll.
The difference proved to be the quality of defence by SMNCSO Saunders
right in front of an impressed and vocal Bears crowd. This inspired
some similar jarring defence and saw the Bears find their first
half form.
But the Geckos held fast on their defensive line and managed to
stop the Bears’ pressure from being converted into points for
most of the second half.
However, it was some special play that got the Bears’ next
try on the board.
Some hard running from set play by LEUT Letts and LSMT Jerret got
momentum going, while some elusive running from CPOB Stevens out
wide saw a sensational try to level the scores.
With five minutes to go the scores were still locked, but with some
excellent continuity the Bears got another deserved try after a
length-of-the-field team effort. It was in the dying stages tthe
icing was put on the cake with some great phases of rugby leading
to a try under the sticks.
A great six to four try win to the Bears with special mention to
ABCIS Stewart and SMNBM Vernells who played their first games of
rugby.
Best on ground was the always-dashing SBLT Woolrych and thanks has
to go to the supporters who proved what a difference they could
make to a team.
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