Winter Sports

[Graham Ritchie]

Today we drove out to a place called Little River, its a good hours drive to get there for todays game, against a very good farming country U13 junior club called Waihora, they did have a good time, down on players the other team donated two of there own, to make up the numbers "wearing white", which only really happens in country rugby, not in the city. On the way back we stopped at a place called Birdlings Flat, great for finding "interesting stones", and a place where we used to do evening surf casting long long ago.

The day was a full day outing, finishing up with me paying for sushi and drinks at our usual Muffin Break outlet I did manage to take a couple of photos today of the game, a couple of Connor with the ball before he was taken down, at least the ground was soft, in saying that, they all enjoyed themselves, and in my book that's what its all about.

[Graham Ritchie]

Being middle of winter, it was a case of wooly hat material last night, reminds me a wee bit of Scotland away Friday night under the lights, afterwards I took the wrong turn and landed up near the airport mmmm I wonder how much its changed as all up I spent 24 years working out there, so drove closer to have a look a bit of a tour. I drove past the old Avis garage, still there but not Avis, that in turn brought back memories of being a motor mechanic way back in 1976. Well the years have certainly passed lots of memories, so it wasn't all about rugby last night.

[Graham Ritchie]

After taking a little bit a video from the Friday night game I was close to scrapping it as the image quality was not as good as I hoped, better during the day. One thing for sure I would be hopeless as a sports cameraman as I got totally lost trying to keep up with the ball. However I did salvage some of it and this was the results. I only took some that night, as I really wanted to watch more of the game and not spend so much time looking through the viewfinder. Yesterday being a bit of a wet day I thought, mmm see if I can do anything with this stuff?.

I have sent the results Connor mum etc, The thing with photography, is that you are capturing a moment in time that can never again be repeated. One day Connor and his team mates might look back at this and others and say, "I remember when we used to play", as we all know, the years pass very quickly. I think its good to have some kind of record of the past and photography is certainly the way to do it

[Graham Ritchie]

Well that's it for this winter, play of for semi final went to the same above opposing team today. The weather was great and it was a good game to watch, much better than the evening one in the above video/photos . After speaking to the coach afterwards, he is hoping to organize a couple of friendly games with another club. I hope that will be the case as it will be more of a fun event, "the pressure is off" anyway I thanked his coach, as he was always positive and full of encouragement to the kids, good coach.. said replied that he will do one more year next year with them, brilliant I thought

The last game Connor was given the player of the day certificate plus a few extras I am sure he will enjoy. He want's to play next session, I said are you sure? you are up against some big boys, he replied that he wanted to, my thinking is its up to him if he wants to. I feel its been a very positive experience for all of them.

One last photo from I think last year.

[Graham Ritchie]

This is a fun short to watch on the game, The new Star Wars film under Taika Waititi writing and directing skills is certainly going to be interesting

Anyway back to rugby,

[Graham Ritchie]

Well New Zealand will be closed tomorrow as the All Blacks take on France at the grand opening in Paris tomorrow morning, also its nice to see another rugby team from NZ will be in France at the same time as well

[Graham Ritchie]

Well what an amazing game between the Irish and the All Blacks, now I think this is strange, mmmm for the last few days we have had constant strong winds, no let up at all, but when the game started, the roads became deserted people stayed home to watch it on TV, but the most weird thing happened is that the wind "completely stopped" from the start of the match until it was over, even though it was played 12,000 miles away. Such is the power of the game of rugby out here, even the weather plays its part.

[Graham Ritchie]

Well a lot of smiling faces today after the semi-final win over Argentina, I was wondering how it was going to go as Argentina are very good. So not sure if if the final will be with South Africa or England.

[Graham Ritchie]

Well that's it, the final is over and South Africa won over New Zealand by one point. New Zealand and South Africa have always had a lot of respect for each other over the years. So that's the world cup over until the next time . France certainly did a great job hosting it.

[Graham Ritchie]

Well the game might be over, but sadly at present, the news media are making a real meal of controversy out of it. I like to think that this photo of both the South African and New Zealand players after the game is how the final in France should be remembered.

[Graham Ritchie]

Well coming across this movie "Invictus" 2010 directed by Clint Eastwood, starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon I had never heard of until today, was a bit of a surprise. Based on fact, its quite a story, how Nelson Mandela used rugby to bring his country together when first elected as President. The extras on the disc "Matt Damon Plays Rugby" is excellent to. The final match between New Zealand and South Africa of the 1995 World Cup was well done.

[Graham Ritchie]

No rugby and no standing in a boggy field this year, sadly they could not get enough numbers to make a full team. I thought this might happen as when kids grow up, others interests come into play, plus I am glad Connor is doing something else at high school and not rugby. He is way to light weight wise for the next grade and would be up against some much bigger kids. Anyway he has had along with his other team mates a good run, and its something also to look back on in later years, the videos after all will still be on You-tube.

One thing the game teaches the kids, is that they have to work together as a "team" to get results, same goes in later working life, you have to get on with people then with a bit of luck should do alright in life, that's anyway that's my thoughts