The Yellow Sea Cup Decider
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It was the perfect setting for the final match of The Yellow Sea Cup, a crisp, clear autumn afternoon. To my surprise, on my late arrival, I found the Survivors already gathered in mass on the pitch training - there was an air of intensity surrounding them. The Beijing Devils had arrived late and secured the risen platform as their base camp. On with the game shouted the crowd and the game finally kicked off at 3:30. From the kick the pressure was mounted instantly as the Devils forced the Survivors into some (un)? characteristic mistakes. Within the first few minutes a loose ball and bullocking run by the impressive Devils forwards found the survivors defending their line. Some good defence finally halted the relentless charge. The crowd and the Survivors certainly knew they were in for a game!!! Beijing were here to win and hopefully by 25! The Survivors ground their way out of their own half with some solid runs and positive ball work. As they progressed a stray kick from the savoir from the Shanghi victory Roddie was charged down and cleaned up by one of the Pacific Island Devils (sorry no name). The crowd watched in amazement and what felt like slow motion as he proceeded to run 60 meters to cross the line for the first of several tries for the day!! With a successful conversion Beijing were in the clear within the first 10 minutes of the game. The Survivors regathered and the nerves seemed to disperse as they mechanically moved the ball towards the Beijing line. Some strong running from the forward pack gave the Survivors' back line some much-needed room. The Beijing defence was solid but finally cracked after a well structured back line move saw Nigel shrug of one defender and carry another over the line and under (near) the posts. Scores were levelled and the big hits were plenty with both packs crunching each other continuously.
The game was played at a hectic pace as both teams struggled to dominate. It was a ferocious battle flowing from one end to the other. There were casualties, one of the Beijing Devils came off the pitch looking white as his thumb was twisted and it looked quite the sight. In the movies dislocated joints looked easy to put back in but attempts were fruitless with the poor lad left in bucket loads of pain. The game surged on with Beijing starting to dominate and get some great field position. Some simple errors by the Survivors saw them being camped in their own half. The pressure led to the Devils captain receiving the ball from ten meters out. He coasted across the try line without a single finger being laid upon him. Signs were looking ominous for the Survivors as they regrouped under another successful kick. The game restarted at a frantic pace and another injury saw Survivors try scorer Nigel coming off with one really ugly toe injury that nearly made me choke on my beer but I recouped and got a killer picture of it! With some fresh legs out on the field it was the Devils who maintained the attacking position.
With the Devils looking strong the Survivors' firebrand Seth was sent off for ten minutes for what looked to be some fairly tame rucking and the home side was a man down. The defence effort lifted and they repelled seemingly endless raids by the Devils. Finally some relief came, the Devils made some crucial errors and a couple of penalties helped piggy-back the Survivors to the other end of the field. The forwards rallied and a rolling maul looked destined to produce some much-needed points. The Devils held their ground, only to give the home team another chance. The sustained defence couldn't hold out Tom the Welsh man who dived over in the right hand corner. With the kick failing to reach the posts Beijing went into half time with a slight lead 14-12.
On the restart the vocal home crowd of up to 300 were entertained by several big hits. The Devils dominated in the first quarter and it looked as if they were about to walk away with the game. Several big runs by the even bigger Fijian winger down the left hand side had the Survivors scrambling in defence. With the momentum of the game changing continuously a little niggle crept into the game. Penalties were given and the ref did a solid job of cooling down the situation as both teams started to talk instead of play. Once the ref had taken control of the situation it seemed as if the Survivors saw it as their chance to seize the game. Some solid defence and good ball retention laid a good platform. Finally the ball was released to the backs and Dwight s first ever good kick led to great field position. The Survivors forwards were lifting and were attempting to sniff out the try line with a tricky throw in by the Survivors captain linking with Courtney steaming toward the line. The Devils defence held strong and the ball was thrown to the backs. The mounting pressure finally resulted in a penalty in front of the post about twenty yards out. A well timed kick by The Cook Islands Chief saw the Survivors out in front for the first time in the game. From the crowd the call came how many games can ya win by one point.
There was still a lot left in this game with at least 15 minutes to go. From the restart the Survivors lifted and the frustration showed as the Devils gave away some silly penalties to help them march down into their own quarter. The game was slipping through the Devils fingers as the Survivor forwards continued to maintain possession and frustrate their opponents. The forwards drew in the tacklers and when the ball finally got out to the backs a good back line movement and ball delivery saw Dwight running through the gap untouched and under the posts. Malke successfully converted and the Survivors were in front by 8.
With the Survivors in the lead, the Beijing Devils fought back hard through their captain's tireless effort and leadership and the sideline runs of their big Fijian continued. The game was still on and the Survivors were constantly kicking from within their own quarter. Solid performances were numerous from both sides with the Survivors half's coping well with the mounting pressure by supplying some great kicks to halt the Devils charge toward the line. A couple of chances went begging for the Devil's with a great charge down by one islander being thwarted by a knock on in front of an open goal line. The defence by the Survivors forwards pack was undeniable with Ted, Buckman, Courtney, Ben, Stacey, Justin and others just hammering a large but mobile Devils pack. Several Devils also shone, the roving PNG and Islander forwards and the lanky but tenacious Brit who was often creating havoc in defence.
As the game wore down some big hits crept a little high and so too did the aggression - that was entertaining to say the least. After what seemed like an eternity for the Survivors, some creative runs from within their own quarter by Frodo and Craig helped relieve the pressure from the forwards. The end came and Survivors became the inaugural winners of The Yellow Sea Cup.
When the cup was secured I looked over to our captain Ted - he was chuffed in his silent Fonzi way, you lead by example, great effort mate - was a great game - great series!
The Beijing Devils were mighty adversaries and were gracious in defeat and the atmosphere around the ground was vibrant. The beer flowed and the raffle prizes kept the cheer going. The after(math) party was held in Great Spirit and all had an awesome time. A big thanks goes out to the Devils who were great opponents and friends and also to the Crabs, see you next year. To the Victor goes the spoils; China's teams will get another shot at the title next year.
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