A Mystics 14 - New Haven 19
B Mystics 52 - New Haven 28

Sunday Sept 21, 9:07am - With last nights haze still hanging about I pour myself an orange juice and sit down. Another good night out with the Mystic boys. I take a sip of juice and my mind refreshes a little. I rewind through images of the night, the sun unsets, heat is upon me, a football field, blue and white jerseys, a referees whistle, the memory of loss. I hate losing, Sundays are always better after a win. Breathe, it is only a game.

I pick up the scrap of paper Coach Undies gave to me after the match and review the list of try scorers. In faded pencil is the team line-up. Names in field format; Richie, Dan, Mort, Will, Brett etc. Yeah, that's how we lined up. Below there are four points:

1. Field Position
2. Intensity
3. Comfort Zone
4. Discipline

I consider all four.

Field Position is largely my responsibility. First half great kicking, adequate chasing. 2nd half, not so great kicking. Got sick of playing conservatively I guess, never really want to kick that Randwick Running Rugby style of football away. Field position is more than kicking though, it is about chasing kicks hard, it is about gaining footing in the opponents territory and then not relinquishing that your position. When they have the ball we smack them, put pressure on their kicker, up the anty, force the mistake, keep the ball in hand until we score. We do not do that, this leads me to point #2.

2: Intensity - absent

Point #3 is Comfort Zone which could easily be coupled with Intensity as a singular point. It takes discomfort to win matches. An absolute desire to win erases discomfort. By mathematical deduction, desire is the real absentee.

4: Discipline. Is point 4 in life always discipline? Regardless, the required discipline levels on the football field are not being met. With a penalty count of 25 against, it makes it hard to win games. Most of the penalties were awarded at the breakdown for either not releasing or hands in the ruck. All we need to do is put in that extra effort and drive past the ball. Simple.

We no doubt have the ability to win each of our matches. We just need to uncover the hunger to win.

Highlights of the 'A' match:
Diego's (The Agile Argi) two try performance. The first came from a quick tap within our own 22m line. Swift catching and passing along the backline caught the New Haven backline napping and Diego sped 70m to score adjacent to the posts. The second try started with an arrogant yet well executed chip n' chase from Quarterback Allsworth inside his 22m. With a tidy bounce, regather, and long pass to Diego we were over for our second. Matty Albrecht converted both tries and after 30min we were seemingly on a course to victory. However, it was not to be. Ferman worked tirelessly around the paddock but New Haven's unified effort on their home swamp overwhelmed Mystic and we were denied victory 19-14.

The 'B' side again performed admirably winning the match 52-28. Tries went to Chris, Kyle, Rib, Ferman, Steve (2), Brett and Digby. It was great to see Kyle pick the ball up from number 8, get down low, and with determination force his way over the line. The B side remain undefeated. With continued commitment they look set to win the New England competition.

Our next match is against Albany at Pine Banks on October 4. It is the official opening of the new ground and with a solid crowd expected Mystic will not disappoint.


Go Blue


Billy Allsworth - Quarterback