24th June, 2006
Depleted Roos fall to the Scorpions Sting
by Adam Bennett

The IX Europe Reading Kangaroos stumbled for the first time this week, with a depleted travelling squad losing out to a fired up Nottingham, 124-33. With almost a whole team's worth of regular players unavailable through injury and absence, the lads battled hard and gave everything they had, but in the end sometimes heart, courage and determination just aint enough - you need legs as well!

Missing for this crunch match were Jules, Ben, Andy Craig, Gary, Brent, Phil, Zac, Nackers, Tristan, Crox, Ross, Joao, and only a last minute change of plans allowed Ads to take part. The Roos welcomed season debutants Neil, Will and Andy McLeod into the ranks, and welcomed back Ted into the line-up, but with a bare 12, and four of the squad carrying knocks before the game even started, the signs weren't good.

The early game was reasonably encouraging though. It was proving to be a baptism of fire for some of the new lads, but Will got straight into it, winning more than his fair share of the rucks. Andy and Mick were battling hard to provide balls up to the forwards, and Ian was running himself into the ground, covering most of the pitch. Andy Whits ran tirelessly up front, but simply wasn't getting the regular quality of service that he see's with Crox and Brent running the show.

The holes started to appear toward half-time, with the Scorpions able to swap fresh legs into the mix and the Roos suffering from fatigue and simple inexperience. The Nottingham lads managed to find space time and again, losing markers, and even with some great efforts from Mike, Paul, Ads and Tony, were still able to convert a several goals. It was a testament to the running across the Roo's backline that many of the shots were hurried and went for 1 rather than 6.

The rest of the game went along a predictable route, as Roos players started feeling the effects of earlier knocks, as well as several late and high hits. The grit and effort was exemplified by Mick up front, literally hopping around to spoil the ball toward Andy and Ted. There was little at this point that the lads could do to prevent the Scorpions runs up the pitch, but all the guys battled hard to prevent the clean scoring chances that would have made the defeat a route.

Unfortunately, in amateur sport, occasionaly you have these freak weeks when people just aren't about, but the Roos battled hard and came off the pitch defeated, but not humbled. Although optimistic before the match, the reality of the situation made getting a victory from the match virtually impossibel, and the Roos, if not happy about the result, could appreciate that they had done all they could to keep the hopes of top spot alive.