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06/11/2009

Match report for Abu Dhabi Vets at the Doha Vets Tournament-Friday 6 November 09)

Abu Dhabi Vets traveled to Doha on the Friday the 6 November to participate in the Doha Vets tournament, with 14 players and one coach manager. Unfortunately we received our first causality at the airport because of visa requirements one of our player was unable to attend. This was a tournament of 8 teams composing two pools A and B. We were selected in the B pool which consisted of Kuwait Nomads, Doha 2 and Doha 3. With the first game approaching and the team was eager to get onto the field, we had a solid warm up followed by black line and forwards splitting for final preparations, much had to be restructured as we were down to only 3 reserves and no recognized black line players on the bench.

Match 1 Abu Dhabi vs. Kuwait Nomads

This was our first match as a team together and as anticipated was a rather a scrappy affair. It became clear to all that we were still thinking too much on the lines of 15 man rugby. Thank goodness for good tackles and a solid defense we did not let the game slip away from us. With some excellent hard straight charges from Oliver we penetrated the opposition’s defenses. Another pleasing aspect of our game was the ability of keeping a straight defense line giving the opposition little chance to move. We went through the eventual winners. 26 – 0. Tries: Oliver, David Stolzenberg, and Simon Slee. Goal Kicks: Stolzenberg x 1 and Simon Walster x 2

Back at our team area we regrouped and discussed the problems we had during the last game. It was quite clear that we were far too scrappy at the break down and needed to slow the game down. Luckily with on major injuries we could prepare for the next game with a full quota of players.

Match 2 Abu Dhabi vs. Doha II

Having watched them play we realized that this would be our hardest match of the pool.
Doha hit us hard at the beginning but again great tackling and a solid defense kept them from crossing our line even though they had set up camp there. A breakaway try from a mid field maul where David Stolzenberg ripped the ball from the opposition and made a 70 meter dash to score under the posts. This turned the tide and with our game plan solidly in place we slowed the game down and took control. The final score 14-0. Tries Stolzenberg x2 Goal kicks Simon Walster x 2

We discussed the match and decided to continue with the same game plan by controlling the break down and then feeding the back line to stretch the opposition out wide. Luckily still no major injuries.

Match 3 Abu Dhabi vs. Doha III

Match three started as the previous but again great tackling and solid defense held back the opposition and we soon took control of the game. From a solid forward platform we were able to release our back line allowing them to score 3 tries. Again Oliver showed his form with some powerful running at the opposition. The final score 26-0 Tries: Oliver x1, Simon Walster x1, Phil x1 and Tracy x1. Goal Kicks (????)

This cemented our place in the final which pitted us against a fast running Al Khor team who had run its self past all the teams in the group 1 pool including the much fancied Doha 1s. We regrouped and discussed how to play the final. It was decided to go back to a 15 man style rugby keeping the ball close to the forwards and using the pick and drives, ones and twos. We were also lucky that we had no major injuries and could still field our full team.

Final Abu Dhabi vs Al Khor

Again the game started at a very fast pace and the Al Khor team where quickly upon our line but again solid tackles and big hits stopped them from crossing our line. The team did not panic and the game plan was put into action. The forwards took control and after a few pick and drives combined with ones and twos we found that our back line had space to move which enabled us to run in 5 tries. During this game we lost two players to injuries and had to finish the game with only one reserve player for the second half this allowed the opposition to eventually break our defenses in the 2 seconds of the game and score the only try of the tournament against us. The final score 38-7. Tries: Simon Slee x1, Simon Walster x1, Phil x1, Stolzenberg x1 Goal Kicks (???).

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