The world's glamour rugby club, the Newport Nasties have continued their unbeaten run for the 2011 season with a win and a draw at Wahroonga yesterday. Playing the Wahroongha Tigers containing former Wallaby Great, Mark Ella and the Limping Leo's from Killara, barring several injuries an enjoyable afternoon of Golden Oldies Rugby was had by all. ".....it only hurts when I breathe" commented an injured Darren Flynn to teammates after the game.

The Nasties ran onto the first match on a rain sodden oval against the Tigers. From the start the influence of Ella was evident from the home side but the visitors refused to take a backward step led by debutante the Great Gregos Randall who cut a swath through the oppositions pack. ".....its a lot easier than I thought.....NOT!" Gregos shouted after another superb tackle. The Axe was an important cog in the machine with some brilliant cover defence to deny the Wahroonga side vital points. However, as the game progressed the injury toll rose and when Dundee was taken over the sideline from a shoulder charge the Nasties side rallied. Rooster who was mauling like a Tassie Devil was soon rewarded with the first try of the match and not long afterwards TTE charged over to give the visitors an unassailable 2-0 lead. While the game was being played in good spirit an unsavoury incident soon had Flynnie, who was not in possession of the ball, off the park with severe rib injury. "It only takes one......" came the call from the field and play resumed with the Nasties 2-0 winners.

The next game for the injury-riddled Nasties was against the Limping Leo's from Killara. In a another hard fought game, Gunner as he had done in the previous match led his troops around the field. After a terrific 50m run and with the line wide open, Gunner gave a pass to Darren Warrener who was sprinting along the sideline but spilt it cold. With no time to reflect on the lost opportunity the Nasties were again running towards the Killara line and when Pup bamboozled his opponents with a dummy and a quick run he almost added to his season's tryscoring tally of one. "I'm hungry to get over the line again....." Pup smiled. Pesty meanwhile was bear-hugging any player that tried to run past him with Scotty Dalton making an awe-inspiring tackle to prevent a Killara try. The game finishing in a 0-0 draw.

The final game saw a Barbarian team of Nasties and Killara players take on the Wahroongha Tigers in another tough match. After turning up and forgetting his boots, Greg 'China' Ware made it back for this match along with Cowboy who played like a crazed giraffe. Frankie went to Hollywood in the game that saw him spoon tackle the Polynesian Princess that was playing for the Tigers side. "It was all an innocent tackle....." No Hands claimed. Chef was mauling and takling like the super coach he is with Skip McGrath still looking for that elusive second try of the season. A try late in the match giving the Barbarian team a 1-0 victory.

At the presentation afterwards, the Wahroongha Tigers presented the Nasties with one of the World Cup bus magnets that went missing. The Nasties graciously donated it straight back to the Tigers where it is to be mounted on their 'Wall of Fame'. Thanks to the Wahroongha Tigers and Limping Leo's for some great games of Golden Oldies Rugby.

Onwards & Upwards