A quick post today but worth noting. It was a proud day for the already storied Sturges sporting tradition. For class we learned about some of the native Australian sports such as cricket and the many types of "footie". The next step was to practice some real life application. As the first side up to bat in a modified cricket match (multiple group of two batting against 20-some fielders), Alex and I managed a modest 4 runs. I was bowled out on a tipped ball after our instructor, and only experience cricket player in the entire park, gave me a tough inside bowl that I could only fend off with the bat. I took my turn at bowling, and proved to be formidable opponent to each batter i faced. Whether by stumps, catches or run outs, I put away each batting pair i faced giving up only two total runs. In our second go, Alex and I put on a long showing against strong bowlers and scored seven runs. Our combined total would prove to be the highest mark of the day.
On to the rugby pitch. I recruited a group of 8 year olds who were watching and laughing at the Americans trying their hands at Aussie sports, which added a lot of experience and youth to my side. Unfortunately one of the kid's mom showed up and wouldn't let them play with us anymore. We were left to fend for ourselves. There was a lot of poor play, and to be honest absolute slop but we began to get the hang of rugby (league variety). We were rotating three teams, five minute games each and there was not much scoring. We were only playing touch rugby, but I can't imagine the intensity had it been full contact. A group of MSU athletes contains a lot of competitive drive which all seemed to come out today. After our first trial games, a group of players left leaving a 7 v 7 side match. I was teamed with field hockey, soccer, tennis and even a woman's rugby player (she was in pain watching us butcher her favorite game). We fought hard for an early lead of two tries. There was a lot of bickering over rules and our instructor even joined the other team to keep teams even and keep an eye on the rules. In a "next try wins" situation (because everyone was sweating like the sahara) I made an enormous blunder. In a first touch move, I tried a fancy lateral pass to avoid the tackle right into the arms of the opposing team. We made the tackle and readied for a short field defensive stand. After making the mistake, I told myself that I better not let this game end on my blunder. But alas! On a third down start, I read the long lateral pass, made a slight deflection, it went off their player, off another one of their players, right into my arms and i was off to the races! Untouched but closely pursued i placed the ball down in the endzone for the try and the victory! I may not have been carried off the field on the shoulders of the fans, but it did feel good to make the final play of the game. Have the ball in my hands. Well, to be honest I think everyone was relieved because we would have played until the bitter end and who knows how long that would have been!
Lesson's of the day: 1) Don't underestimate a group of girls playing rugby. Rowers, field hockey, soccer and even cross country girls can be beasts if you give them the right pass and a running lane.
2) Respect other sports. The endurance required to play TOUCH rugby, let alone the real thing is unbelievable. Better shoes wouldn't have hurt either. Even cricket is a lot more tiring than you'd think.
3) Try other sports. People spend their whole lives mastering these seemingly goofy tasks and it's nice to have an idea of why they do it. Just like the popular sports with superstars and super contracts, the international sports have a place at the table. They all require the same stuff, really. A good day of perspective and even a chance at a little bit of glory. Beautiful, sunny day in Sydney. Now it's time to go to a real rugby match to see the St. George Dragons show us how to really play that game.
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