Longing for the day ...

Well, that was fun but ...

We lost the over-35s touch series against NSW but it was a great experience. Overall, Qld won 8 of the 16 divisions and so did the Blues, so it was declared a draw and the Blues kept the trophy they won last year.

I have a sneaking suspicion that if they'd done any kind of count-back (total games won or points aggregate) Qld would have won but ... well ... the competition dministrators are based in NSW ... :-)

Our girls kicked butt and won their divisions 3-0 (under 20s) and 2-0 (Open girls had one draw). The youngsters also went well, U17 mens and U20 mens won 3-0 with some BIIIGG scores. The Open men had 2 draws and the Blues won the middle game.

We lost our first game 3-5 amid a little chaos (three of our players withdrew the day before the tournament). I scored the first one and set up the other two but it wasn't enough. We trailed 1-0 at halftime and just couldn't get it together in the second half.

We came back in game two (3-2). I scored the first one again and we led 2-1 at half time and held on despite blowing plenty of chances to put the Blues away. We felt suitably encouraged for the final game.

But we couldn't do it. I didn't manage to score at all and it went right down to the wire. We trailed 1-2 at half time and fought back to be in front 3-2 with about 5 to go. Again, we had plenty of chances. I was denied by the ref's call 3 times - at least two calls I know were wrong - but that's football. We also bombed at least three, with fatigue meaning that Laurie and I just couldn't put each other cleanly into open space. The last pass went just in front or just behind ... The Blues scored the winner in controversial circumstances when we all thought the ref called our defender onside on the tryline, he made the touch and we all stopped, when the ref called "play on" and the Blues scored while we were stunned.

That hurt. A lot. He was a Qld ref, too. :-)

Still, I managed to get selected in the Australian team to play New Zealand in March 2006. The series will be in Brisbane so it should be fun. Trans-Tasman games are always great. Can't wait.

I also filled in for the mixed seniors (over-35) in their final game as they had a few injuries. The Blues had already clinched their division but I scored two and we lost the game 3-8. Never mind. It was nice to play in different company and a lot of the Blues team were backing up from playing in the mens ...

NTRA State of Origin touch at Coffs Harbour 2005. We had a lot of laughs with the Blues at the presentation dinner at the RSL Club. They were a great bunch of guys and I look forward to playing with them against New Zealand. They games were all played in the right spririt and although they got tense and close there was no nonsense or dirty play.

Love it.

I'm a bit sore now but should be able to stretch out and be ready for tonight's biggie back at Chelmer. Bring it on.