Scotland wins!

It will probably be remembered as the best match of the Rubber Wool Cup, if it's remembered at all and certainly celebrations at the Colac Bay tavern will make the details of today's titanic struggle difficult to recall. I've caught it all on film though: the anguish, the poetry, the triumph and the euphoria and all that from the little sprigged-up lads in the curtain-opener. The main event was just as moving, from the singing of the two anthems, through the furious haka to the heaving, grunting and free-running game itself. The crowd, surely the biggest ever on that field, was both critical and forgiving. Plenty of Scottish flags waved, thick accents delivered polite instructions to the away team and local wags gave their team the kind of barracking encouragement they are so familiar with. The air was thick with the smell of Speights and liniment and almost-ready hangi. The game flowed like warm porridge, from wonky goal post to undulating half-way line, generally taking turns to score, but in the final wash, the Scots prevailed and took the match 50-something to somewhere in the teens. No-one cared a jot. The crowd socialized, ate plate-loads of hangied beef, potato, swede and carrot, cheered everything that ran, side-stepped, passed with flair, feinted or fell. It was a great old time for all.
These images, I hope, capture something of the day; the Scottish mist the locals rolled in to make the visitors feel at home, the huge and ebullient crowd of gumboot-wearing rugby enthusiasts, the scrums, line-outs, mauls and tries. I shot the crowd wherever I could, risking clouts from those who don't hold with that sort of truck, and tried to capture the undulating nature of the ground (the Colac Bay field was, not so long ago, sand dunes and you can still tell, easily.)
Here then, is the Scotland (supporters) .v. Colac Bay match, in all it's raw-boned glory.

The huge crowd flows past the pub, down toward the field. There were as many behind me as there are here in front.

At the paddock, the manuka posts leaned gracefully toward the sea. Note the hay-bale pads. They're all you need.

Scottish supporters everywhere and not shy.

Some though, showed signs of nervousness. The Colac bay team's reputation goes before it.

Plenty of this sort of heaving action throughout the game.

My best shot. The players did well here too.

The half-time hangi was a winner.

Back into it.

The final whistle brought joy to every Scottish heart.

Afterwards, we discussed the finer details of play. I'm on the left.