Man of the Match

We did play most of our 2nd and 3rd string players and allot of them are use to having other players on the field that they can count on to show them the way. It was weird for me to be on the field with so many guys who had either never played for the team or never played. That may have been the other reason for our down fall. 

The first half was over way to quick and at 1/2 time some one told me that I needed to come off the field. I was a little shocked cause, there were a lot more fatter guys who were sucking wind and not pulling their load. On the sideline I took off my head gear and jersey and prepared to help with water duty. 

Some forwards went down with injuries and need to be replaced. I went back on with out my head gear, but more fired up then I had been in recent weeks. I got in and got it on. I jumped in line outs and contested winning every ball back for us except one. I tackled and rucked with ferocity that I had not had in a long time, and generally was in the right place at the right time, most of the game. 

At one point I knocked some one out of bounds but was having trouble getting myself back up to my feet. Eric ran over with my head gear and handed it to me in a all excited voice like a 8 year old kid gets "Here Dad put this on it is good!" He helped me get it back on my head and helped me to me feet. I ran back out there and smashed on.  

I came up just short of a try two times and was the first to the ball carrier on most kickoffs. I was on fire but the rest of my time the team was lack luster. Which is sad. 

I love playing rugby but wont be able to play for a couple of months. It was good to go out with such a good game. 

At the end of it all I was awarded Man Of The Match by our team captain.  I made a little beratying but true speach and said "It is a sad day when I am the Tokyo Gaijin Man of the Match. You are all better than the preformance we put out today." 

At least that is what I meant to say.