Recently Blacks held their annual event – Blacks Midnight 10s. It used to be known as the Midnight 7s. This is the first year that the club decided to change the game for both men and women to 10s. And I was honored to be approached by both Blacks and NUS to play for them. I wanted to play for NUS because it’s been so long since the last time we played together. But I was held up by work, my trainers gave me materials for my exams at the very last min. So I have no choice but to tell both the coaches from Blacks and NUS that I cannot commit for trainings and so I wouldn’t be able to play for them.
But I underestimated myself, I was able to finish the files in time. So I went to watch the matches on Friday night. I was itching on the stand and so tempted to play. But yea.. my gears were all at home.
Just as I was feeling rather sian, Tabi (Blacks Rangers coach) came up and asked “you want to play?” I was abit shocked.. I mean of coz I want. But I’ve already told both teams that I’m not playing and secondly I don’t have the gears with me. But I told her yes, and that I don have my gears. So she said “ok, I have. Follow me to my car, we’ll get you changed.” By now, I am seriously stunned. So yea with my opened jaw I followed her to her car. And true enough, she’s got everything from scrum cap to tape for my ankle.
Haha.. I was all ready to go in 30 mins.. I got my game.. against NUS.. the last match of the day.. oh yes.. and if you wonder why am I not playing with NUS, coz both Tabi and I spoke to Wing (NUS coach) and she said that NUS has got 16 players.. but Blacks Rangers only had 12 or 13 I think.. Yea, so Wing said I can play for Blacks.
The game was at 1 plus am.. which seriously was passed our sleeping time so many of us were trying to concentrate. But yea, we managed to win the game. That’s it for the 1st night.
On the second day, everyone was all ready to go. We have 3 matches on that day, 1st up against the Thai Babas. Man, they are fast. I get to start the game. Was positioning myself beside Esther, and was ready to receive and do our moves. But as I was turning the Thai ran straight into my knee.. left knee.. Damn I had dead leg for a few minutes. Tabi decided to take me out. I was quite disappointed then, but looking back, that was the right decision. (sorry Tabi, for giving you the frustrated look)
Blacks Rangers made to the semi-finals. For the last match, we are up against Bucks RFC. I tell you that was the best match ever.. the whole team was so psych-up.. we were all hunger for the win, every single one was just waiting to be let onto the field to “mao” someone. And true enough we played like we never did.. and everyone agreed. After the match, ppl came up to us to congratulate us. Oli told me that we’re the best development squad that Blacks had so far. I was really v happy and honored to receive such a comment. The Rangers really played their hearts, lungs, guts and whatever internal organs out.. We ran like we’ve never ran before, we tackled like we’ve never tackled before, we were so disciplined in organizing our line of attack and quick to bounce back to defense that sometimes I wonder how did I get so much energy to do so.
Yea that was the best match that I played. Thank you Rangers for being there, and Tabi for giving me the chance to this awesome team.
Blacks Rangers – Plate Winner of Blacks Midnight 10s 2009.
