The IX Europe Reading Kangaroos conquered Europe once again at the weekend, defeating the best of Europe's other clubs to retain the Sheep Station Cup, making it three titles in a row. Even with a vastly reduced squad, the Roos were able to fight off the challenges of such Nordic Giants as Stockholm and Copenhagan to complete a treble in this competition.

A mere fortnight before the competition, the Roos had an outstanding squad lined up to defend the title, being held in Sweden for the first time. With cash flow problems, injuries, work and the obligatory crash on the M25, a mere 11 members made it to Landskrona, and Sam was in the injured box anyway, so wouldn't be taking part. With the temperature soaring into the mid-30's and the competition being held over a single day, it would be a stern test of the Roo's stamina and fitness.

Starting on the Friday by meeting up with the early arrivals, the lads did some reconnoitering of Landskrona and had a good early night, refusing to be drawn into any of the pubs, casinos or clubs on offer in the town. Nobody touched any beer, the lads were all on their best behaviour and Zac and Nackers honestly didn't end up in the fountain in the town square - lucky escape there!

Saturday started nice and early as everyone was eager to get out of bed and onto the pitch for a day of solid hard running. In Group 1 with Reading were Farum Young Guns (last year's defeated finalists), the Gothenburg Beserkers, GV Rebels, Landskrona Bulldozers and the North Copenhagan Barracudas. Group2 consisted of the Brussels Saints, Helsingborg West Raptors, Jutland Shinboners, Malmo Red Eyes, South Dublin Swans and the Stockholm Dynamite. The Roos were solid through the early group stages, notching up three comfortable wins, with notable performances from Madness, who pretty much won game 1 with some outstanding play and Brent, getting started early in the hunt for the top scorer's award. In Group 2, it looked like there would be a battle for first between the Swans and Dynamite, registering good wins and setting up a tussle for top spot.

In the final two matches, the conditions and lack of replacements started to show. Against the Beserkers and the Rebels, slow starts saw the Roos goals down, before outstanding second half performances dragged the scores back around. In the middle, Zac, Gary and Phil put in an enormous amount of running, Brent, Paul, Joao and Neil were working well up front and Ads, Mike and Nackers held solid at the back. A few lacks of communication led to some sloppy goals against, but the lads were able to up the performances and get the wins which mattered to finished undefeated at the top of the group.

In the semi-finals, the Roos were drawn against a strong Stockholm Dynamite side. Veterans of several years of Nordic footy, these lads are never a pushover and opened fast against the Roos, getting a two goal lead at half time. In the second half, the Roos showed a lot of character to draw level, then take a narrow 7 point lead, which they then held for the last few minutes to take the win and book a lace in the final against the marauding Irish.

In their first year, the Swans had put in impressive performances in their group games, going undefeated with a combination of hard tackling, fast support running and that sheer determination that is the hallmark of the Irish game, no matter what the sport. What came next would be a match to remember for all footy conneiseurs out there. Matching goals and behinds throughout the first half, the teams were very finely matched and there was some truly breathtaking play from both sides. Brent took some great grabs up top and was unlucky not to score more. Paul supported well on the flank and shepherded well for the advancing centres. Neil and Joao were strong into the challenges, swapping on the half and helped break up the Swans attacks.