If the photos on our website are any guide, the game and after game were very successful. Chipstead Vets were fantastic and generous guests who made a sizable contribution to our injured players fund through the Court and their involvement in our Raffle.

A 5 all draw was appropriate although the one eyed referee Stan, a long time Harlequin who has the (dis)advantage of a glass eye, didn't help us much. Some sore bodies and I think the young blood injected by three local IG guys helped our visitors get over their St Patrick's day heavy lunch to put it to us. Decided by an arm wrestle, Chipstead kicked off to the roar of a strong local and visitor friendly contingent. Although going downhill from the kickoff and in temperatures hovering around 26ºC Chipstead through Rolley stepped through a referee enabled gate to sprint (surprising us all) to make the first score.

The referee reported at half time that he was challenged by the visitors interpretation of "touch" (or as practised by the visitors: "shoulder"), offside and deliberate knock downs. So team warnings were issued. And it wasn't long before the referee's mild manner was tested with him issuing in quick succession two Yellow cards to Chipstead. I might add, the referees interpretation of time out of play for the perpetrators was rather lenient with the offenders soon back on the field seemingly unfazed by their sins. With the scores remaining tight, the game - Chipstead leading throughout - developed into a tense last session. Adding to the tension was a noticeable lack of players on the bench (widespread injuries on both sides) and the drop in the pace of the game. Fortunes changed, to the great relief of the home crowd and in their full view, with the referee awarding the Quins a well deserved penalty try at the death. I must say it was only dogged determination by the home side that kept us in the game. Chipstead were tenacious, well drilled (benefiting from pre-tour training) and physical. And perhaps not surprisingly after three 15 minute sessions with the score at 5-all the players - decided by voice - voted in favour of the bar for refreshments rather than playing it out.

It was hot and getting dark. With Kangaroo steak on the menu and a bit of Australian red wine to wash it down the rather shy and retiring lot - NOT - Chipstead, soon swung into the post game activities aided by their tour Judge who kept them under control. The dinner, as with the tour, was sponsored by IG with Tom Roberts of their Melbourne office presenting the prizes. Although a draw the game prize of a Boomerang was presented to Paul Gilbert of Chipstead for safekeeping. All of us at the Melbourne Quins were grateful to have had the opportunity to host the Chipstead Vets and are hopeful, if true to form, the Boomerang will at some point return.