Post Thirteen

Wednesday April 14th
The interesting thing this morning was one cabin of boys having their bags packed and out on their decking ready to leave… except we don’t move out until tomorrow! Well done Shamus, Anu, Jared S, Lachlan and Michael. The boys had a sleep in as we didn’t practice this morning. Google maps lets us down today as it suggested a road joins up with another one but it didn’t! It’s always a sinking feeling when that happens. Caleb found a local and after some translation we got the right directions that then caught up with our map directions. The field is part of the Berwick City Soccer Club and was being set up when we arrived. Hallam arrived soon after as they were bussed from their school. The field was big and in okay condition. The referee gave us a little hiccup declaring that most of the boys’ shin guards were too small under FIFA and Australian regulations, after a phone call he said he would still be able to referee the game. He said a number of court cases against referees are underway in Australia where refs have allowed players to play with inadequately sized shin guards, the players have been injured and are then suing the ref as he or she let them play! Not just shin guards but even potholes in the field! Hallam has a football academy but the big sport at the school is AFL then Rugby League. They have an arrangement with the Melbourne Storm. We were presented a souvenir pennant of the game before hand and our player of the game received a shirt afterwards. Everything was in place for a good game but unfortunately we didn’t bring our best performance of the tour. Jared C was able to start today as he has had a thigh strain which has hindered his involvement in the last two games. The opposition showed high skills and an ability to read the game very well. We put ourselves under pressure by giving the ball away and not being able to capitalise when we got close to their goal. One observation from this and the last game is how quickly they take their opportunities in front of goal; there is very little hesitation or an extra touch. We were one down at half-time and ultimately lost 3-0. Afterwards we were hosted in the club rooms for a sausage and drink. Caleb was given a shirt for player of our team and we have arranged for them to pick up a spare shirt of ours at the office of the Big4 tomorrow. If we had been on form today I think the game would have been a lot closer. No map problems on the way home and we had fish and chips for tea. Something one of the students yesterday got me to say and then turned to her friend said “see, I told you so”; I thought I sound the same as them! A lack of photos today as the camera was left behind. Peter from the opposition took a couple of team shots and I will get him to send them. Change of Big4s tomorrow and then only one more game to go and we are almost home.