Beach Overcomes a Snow Job

Beach Overcomes a Snow Job

Saturday’s match in Utah was all about overcoming adversity for the boys of OPSB. Going from sea level to 4600ft. 32 degree weather and driving snow. The change of start time and location three times each. And that was all Saturday morning before lunch at a Subway with no bread. Coach Haigh always stresses preparation so Beach was ready. Packed on the plane to Utah were strong lungs, winter training, a map, and a watch. And Subway now has flat bread.

At McCarthy field the team got straight to work. A lean-to was built for a change room and snow was cleared for a warm up area. The pattern for day was set, adapt and overcome. Fortunately Beach was able to find solace between the white lines to defeat the Warriors 18-17. Not without further adversity.

Warriors Coach Jon Law had promised “a nice, hard welcome home” for local legend and Beach captain Pate Tuilevuka. That came in the first minutes of the match when an uppercut ended the day for Tuilevuka.  The back line was further decimated by a snow covered ball that didn’t want to move around the pitch or be held in cold hands. The combination created an opportunity for new inspiration and Beach again adapted.

This time it was the forwards that stepped up to carry the torch. The little-ist of bigs became the rallying point for the club as they frustrated Utah six inches at a time. Led by front rowers Oliver Kilifi, Daniel Trierweiler and Josh Osborn, it was the pack that carried the torch and lighted the way to victory.

Once again Bobby Fitzpatrick and Filimoni Botitu put in their obligatory tries and Evan Haigh guided the ball through the posts for a conversion and two penalty kicks. Final score OPSB 18 Utah 17.

Currently the Beach Dogs sit second in the Western Division with a 3 -1 record, they enjoy a weekend off before they head to Denver to play the Barbarians at Dick's Sporting Goods Stadium.