Saturday dawned bright and sunny. no chance of cancellations today. Which was a good thing because having had 2 cancellations in a season that started 2 weeks ago, it was getting hard to explain why we still needed to go to training but not play a game. Mr 6′s team was playing an Upper Hutt team out at Trentham Park. Definitely a picturesque setting – very autumnal.
We all enjoyed watching the game – even Mr4 didn’t mind standing on the sidelines cheering his big borhter on.
At this age level it is rippa rugby that is played. Each player wears a band with velcro tags on either side that get ripped off, equalling a tackle. Five rips and the ball gets turned over to the other team. Unless of course the ball is turned over by the opposite team getting their hands on the ball first.
For most of us parents, it was the first season so we have lots to learn. Including the appropriate behaviour for supporters. We all got issued with a pamphlet with specific instructions on how to be a good supporter. Most of us laughed because it is the sort of advice that should be just common sense. But we have all heard of the parent or parents that just get plain nasty and take their “support” to levels that just are not right.
Petone seemed to play very well – we scored some good tries: there are a few boys in the team that seem to know what they are doing. Our team also appeared to have good technique in ripping. There was a sense that both teams were even (no official score is kept at this level) but we did score a few more tries so the boys definitely felt good.
Mr 6 ran out of puff three quarters of the way through – and you could tell because he would be trailing behind his team at that point. He didn’t score any tries himself but got some really good rips. So he was feeling very good about that.
After the game we all got a sausage from a fundraising BBQ, and wandered off to find coffee for me and hubby, and fluffies for the Mr’s. Lesson learned for me: bring thermos full of hot beverage!! 
When we asked what Mr 6 enjoyed most about his game, he replied “It was all good. I liked being able to rip really well. It doesn’t matter that I didn’t score the try because it was fun.” And a little bit later: “I think I will be playing this game when I’m an adult because it’s a good game. Tana played for my club so I will be an All Black too.”
Life is good when you have big dreams. 
