It was Valentine's Day so I decided to show my long suffering wife some real TLC. We loaded the car and went to watch some rugby somewhere on the toll road Jagorawi. "But I do not know anything about rugby," was his half-heart protest and I do not think she was impressed by my answer. "Neither Want to see England play Australia in the cricket World Cup instead?" Rugby, won.
He was a wise decision. Jagowari has two fields, goalposts and white lines. OK, so it's not Twickenham, but the passion is the same - more large space provided and children accompanied the dogs a chance to stretch their legs in a safe fun environment
.The upper area has hosted the show for children less than 8 years and under 9s romp in front of anxious parents. Downstairs, in the middle of white lines and installed in a green jungle light, the main event took place with the first games of the regional XVS Jakarta kickoff.
Division boasts Jakarta Japan Rugby Gila (JJRG their peers), Bandung United, Komodos and banteng, while the second level has Rams Bandung, Bogor and Universitas Negeri Jakarta Rusa (UNJ). Seven teams had the day-off in the running for the title of best region with competing players also have the chance to represent Indonesia in international competition.
All eyes on the ball
I settled on a grassy knoll not far from the depository of beer to enjoy the fun. I had a good view down on the proceedings, but was a clue how scoring works, so I used my frequent trips to the beer tent to see who hit who, as well as know the friendly locals.
My wife has not been ignored, honest! This is the generation of social media and in the true style, she recognized a sister of a friend she had not seen for years and was with an old time imbibing wild grapes and catch up .
There can not have been the Calcutta Cup, but he promised to be a feisty affair and I was not disappointed.
There were three games on the schedule, but to be honest, I just had half an eye on the first play that I alternated my time looking at the next generation to be tested on the high ground and make sure my wife was not too bored.
The second game was perhaps the main event. Komodos, a discrete group of chaps who call themselves the "best rugby club in Southeast Asia" playing the banteng and you could tell there was some bad blood between them. Traditionally, had the Komodos upper hand, but they had their head Lionel Messi for the Asian spiritual home of rugby, Hong Kong, while another pillar was more interested in protecting its good looks supposed hoping to advance his career in television - they were expecting to struggle a bit.
Meanwhile, banteng, who usually drew their strength from the Indonesian community, had caught some foreigners to help them mount a title charge.
There can not have been the Calcutta Cup, but he promised to be a feisty affair and I was not disappointed.
banteng took the lead, but they were soon parked down near their own line as Komodos tried to get on the score sheet. Banteng valiantly defended and there were a few times when the referee was forced to call the captains together to seek a cool head to rule.
The Bertie Wooster kind banteng skipper would then call his players together and get the message: "I say chaps, the old gentleman with the peas and the whistle has asked that we keep our cool you not know. Stop the excavations, stop the name calling, or he may be forced to punish you, oh this. "Or words to that effect
The most beautiful view in rugby -. A test
Then the field was invaded by a dog. in fact, it was less a dog and a big rat in high heels. the game was held up for some time as one of the great players, rough and hard attempted to escort said canine off the field. Oggie because that was his name, wanted nothing to him. he will decide when he would leave, not a guy in a tight green shirt, so he yelped and growled and the player quickly retreated to the amusement of the crowd and other players.
Finally, the dog left the field and the game resumed. Despite the pressure, the banteng were always a threat, but I was a little surprised when I went to replenish my supply of beer at halftime, the game was well prepared to 15-15. "But I think banteng will win. They are more like our guys, "said the guy in the tent of beer.
And for a while it looked like his prophecy would come true as banteng entered the final moments leading 22- 20. Fortunately for Komodos, a test was successfully converted and they ran in 27-22 winners in what was an exciting game for the neutral like me.
There was still one more game on the playing card, but it seemed that my wife had had enough of rugby, and perhaps more to the point the wine, and not even my best Bintang diplomacy could convince her to stay longer. Unfortunately, I'm not able to gather additional players as they settled near the tent of beer and my suggestion that we follow in the pub to catch the 6 Nations game between England and Italy in the name of research and didnt down too well We packed the train back in the car, I said "Happy Valentine's Day" and slept all the way home
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Indonesia Rugby indonesiarugbyunion.pitchero.com
banteng jakartabanteng.com/
Komodos www.pitchero.com/clubs/jakartakomodos /