UNQUENCHABLES TRIUMPH IN BANGKOK

The official tour kick off was a BBQ hosted by Steve, owner of Jungle Jims Bar in Soi Cowboy Bangkok. His employees as per previous tours were very hospitable and welcoming and accommodating.

For the first time in 6 years the Unquenchables won their first two games in the veteran’s tournament in Bangkok losing their third game by one try to nil against the Old Bangkok Bangers.

The touring team comprised current and past Unquenchables and past Box Hill senior players with two ring ins.

The Team

• Kevin Walsh
• Chris Markey
• Eric James (ex Quenchie now resident in Singapore)
• George Strnad (Now resident in WA)
• Clive Welti
• Stuart Ramsden
• Quinton Ritchie
• Russell (South African friend of Chris)
• Pommie Paul
• Mike Neylon (ex Box Hill 1st XV)
• Dennis Collard
• Jamie Meyers (ex Box Hill 1st XV)
• Shane Lynch (professional tourist)
• Carl Hunt (Failed fitness test. Didn’t play)
• Tim Begby (ex 1st XV. Suffered climate shock. Didn’t play)
• Wasa (Pissed again. Couldn’t take the field)

In addition to the above the team had 6 tour groupies some of whom doubled as water boys. Carl was water boy coordinator and did a sterling job however his fancy footwork would have been much more appreciated had he been running with the ball instead of a wet rag and a half bottle of lukewarm water under his arm.

For the second year running Bangkok provided us with a blue sky but thankfully the weather compared to other years was relatively mild. The selection committee was in a quandary with Carl Hunt refusing to play due to lack of match fitness (since when was he ever match fit?). The situation worsened when Tim Begby (ex 1st XV) also refused to take the field claiming the climatic conditions had exacerbated his eczema affected groin problem.

Thankfully The Indochine Barbarians and the French team Alcatel Spacers and the Moscow Lads helped fill the gap and for each game we fielded a full side. One of the froggies, Alexander, tackled superbly all day reminiscent of an Unquenchable of old, Tackling Jack at his peak. He fronted up for us in several halves and was an outstanding player.

Our first game was against the Indochine Barbarians. The forward pack was not at strength but our backline was something to behold. Russell at fly half sporting $200 red boots gave Pommie Paul great service. Mike Neylon was dangerous every time he got the ball. Jamie Meyers combined beautifully with Mike to make many incisive runs in attack. It wasn’t too long before Dennis, at last playing with a class backline scored a magnificent try in the corner. It has to be said that whilst his own play was breathtaking the whole backline contributed to the try. Quinton sporting the worst haircut seen on tour played with flair and finesse and gave excellent service to the backline which was on fire.

The next game was against the combined French and Russian sides. George couldn’t take the field due to a badly bruised thigh. He had dominated the lineouts and had made several penetrating runs. The Indochine Barbarians helped us out yet again with another player. Pommie Paul, feeling aggrieved at not scoring and feigning heat exhaustion implored Dennis to move into the centres. Consequently, a daring move orchestrated by Mike fooling the opposition into thinking we were executing a dummy scissors looked to pass the ball to Dennis who crashed into Mike causing the ball to fall backwards. The ball was retrieved by Mike who put Paul over for a try. Paul went on to score another try and refused to let Dennis back to his position.

The forwards were having a ball with Eric continually telling our players and the opposition how much fun he was having and how he wished Kiwi was there to share his joy. This was not such a good idea during play as it was a little distracting to the other players. Stuart maintained the form that he displayed all season and was always in the thick of things. Playing in the heat apparently suits him. Once George had retired it was much harder to win lineout ball so Clive playing in the forwards scurried around all day like a startled rabbit and putting pressure on the opposition from our lost lineout throws. Chris Markey must have decided to bulk up for our matches because poor hooker Walshie complained he couldn’t get his arm around Chris’s expansive body at scrum time. Chris was always getting to the scrum before the last one when a stoppage occurred. Walshie, a tour veteran, played at his usual high standard and tackled anyone who looked smaller than him. Tour professional Shane who played his first game of rugby on tour last year and survived the tackle of the tournament without injury now thinks rugby is a game for wimps unless you really get hurt. And that is what happened to Dennis close to the end of the second match. A twenty stone prop stood on Twinkle’s delicate left foot thereby causing great pain and suffering to the extent that Dennis could not take the field for the final game against the Old Bangkok Bangers.

The Old Bangkok Bangers are the Harlequins of Bangkok. They love to get into a huddle before a game, after a game and at half time lauding themselves on their performance and urging their team mates to slaughter the opposition. We loved their spectators. Their intensity and determination, the screaming and yelling, the sweat and froth mottled mouths screaming abuse at the opposition and their own players was something to behold The Unquenchables battled hard against the Old Bangkok Bangers but was starved of the ball so the best backline of the tournament had limited opportunities to display their talents. Our tackling was relentless and defence inspirational. The Unquenchables withstood tremendous pressure from a team that was savage to win. Ultimately the Old Bangkok Bangers scored the only try of the game after maintaining possession of the ball for the majority of the game. They deserved their win.

All teams except the Old Bangkok Bangers readily helped us out with players. The Old Bangkok Bangers was the only team in the competition not to play two games in a row so they had a significant advantage, particularly over teams from cooler climes such as the froggies and the Russian bears. The immediate post tournament activity involved the Old Bangkok Bangers getting into a final prolonged huddle of the day while the rest of the teams enjoyed several beers together.

The bus trip back to the hotel was one of the tour highlights with a singing competition between the French and Unquenchables. Eric stepped into the role of choirmaster as easily as rolling a condom onto a licorice stick. As a result he has now been appointed choirmaster for any future touring team to South East Asia. Eric dredged up songs that have not been sung for 40 years and brought tears to the eyes of those of us who can remember 35 years ago when teams always sang rugby songs in the club rooms after a match.

The following day we traveled to our rest and recovery camp in Pattaya. We were again hosted by landlord and partner Kim of Jamesons Irish Pub and manager Tom and owners Bob and Woody of Tahitian Queen Rock ‘n Roll Bar who have been our regular sponsors for several years. The hospitality and generosity of our sponsors was outstanding. We shall return.

Next October it is off to the Angkor Veterans competition in Phnom Penh Cambodia. Stay tuned for details.