Walking into the excellent oval complex at Bathurst CSU the mind went back some 57 years to my first day of high school.
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The Rhinos club was delighted to meet the parents of Scottish halfback, Chris Hobson, who after surviving a 24-hour flight formed a two-person cheer squad for Chris, who responded with a good game behind a beaten pack.
No one knew what to expect from the students who finished last season's club championship with the wooden spoon but like all student teams, dating back to the days of "Teachers College" in the 60s, they were quick and that was the major factor all afternoon.
Having to forfeit Colts; a decision which has disappointed the club as a whole, the second grade squad was confronted by a host of thousands, all expecting a run.
Club president Ian Burns and stalwart Bruno Efoti played 75 minutes of the match and their combined age was somewhere close to the entire CSU total age.
Both sides playing mistake free football early and Rhinos absolutely dominated the scrums. The front row of Kearins, O'Leary and Johnson smashed their opponents but it was CSU who scored first out wide.
After 10 minutes the student's fitness began to assert itself as the Rhinos (who had some saying there was a lack of fitness) became as ponderous as their namesake as the match progressed.
CSU scored its second try at the same time and skipped to a 14-0 lead. Efoti replied with a crashing run from the scrum base to post Rhinos first points of the season.
Another try, just as the oranges were being handed out, saw the host comfortably ahead 19-7 but the visitors outscored CSU in the second stanza with an outstanding try to James Vaughan and a 30 metre pick and drive on the bell saw "Bigguns" O'Leary over to close out a very entertaining match, 26-17 to the home side.
The club still needs more players. It has been so difficult over the past three years to retain a solid core and to come from the Graincorp Cup (one team) to putting together a Blowes quality team is a credit to those responsible. It will be a huge re-learning curve for the club to again blend the regulars with new blood.
In a sideline interview after first grade co-coach, David Stewart, made it clear that once the squad is settled into roles it will still be a long process before regular success can be expected. The club is short in a few specialist positions and would still welcome anyone interested in a game.
To the game itself. Hobson, with his cheer squad bellowing some foreign language in support from the sideline, potted first points to lead for the only time in the match. The students profited greatly from simple Rhino mistakes and their speed across the field resulted in a five-try, 31-8 victory. They out-enthused the Rhinos and again, their superior fitness was a major factor in the win.
Their halves combination was the match winner, providing excellent service to their outside backs. Meanwhile, the visitors' strike weapons, Weatherall and Davy, were constantly hit by the proverbial truck every time they handled the ball. Weatherall did manage to escape his captors late in the second half to post the Rhinos sole try.
The final 10 minutes were the best for the Rhinos.
They seemed to shrug off the tiredness and, in some, the lack of fitness, and this will be very heartening for the coaching staff and the players themselves.
Next weekend is a bye followed by the first home game against Orange City.