World Footy News

As we reported in Footy in the Cayman Islands, Australian Football is now periodically played on the island, and in 2006 the compromise rules game combing Gaelic and Australian Football was successfully introduced. The following is a match report of the St Patrick’s Day International Rules clash between the Australians and the Irish at the rugby club at South Sound, supplied by Matthew Borthwick.

Last Saturday, 18th March, the Aussies of Cayman (including 1 very brave Canadian who lost his front teeth for the honour) took on the Paddy's of Cayman (which included the odd Scotsman) and showed them who truly is the best in International Rules Footy.

The game could have been anyone's in the beginning judging by the way the two teams entered the field. The Paddy's, very much smarting from their come from behind victory against England in the six nations, were as pumped up as if they had just watched a Rocky movie. The Aussies were equally as keen to assert some early authority and spoke before the game about using the physicality, legally allowed, to upset the Irish early. Both teams were a little hungover from the Paddy's celebrations the night before but neither side was willing to show it.

The game started in a blaze of glory for the Aussies, moving the ball forward with ease and converting one very smart goal by Jamie and a couple of overs. Justin Curruthers (aka JC) was in fine form being sent off in the first 5 mins for a heavy hit to one of the Irish participants, lucky he only got 5 mins off and does not need to front the tribunal for that one!

Gavin McMaster was dominant for the Aussies in the midfield, dishing out plenty of silky handballs and winning many of the hardball contests, he set up numerous first half attacking moves. Texas and Blair were causing havoc for the Irish in the Aussie backline, repelling all forward moves with relative ease. Texas' long bombs to the forward line set up many a marking contest for the two big Aussie forwards, Brad Cowdroy and Burbs who were plucking them from everywhere and giving the Irish backmen nothing as well as keeping the scorers very busy.

The Irish were left smarting their decision to play the compromised rules and went in to the half time break 39-0 down wondering what they needed to do to stem the tide.

Not to be totally outdone, however, The Irish, after a few punches were exchanged between team mates, rallied in the second half. Spurred on by Scott MacDonald (sporting a heavily bruised cheekbone courtesy of JC) who was now running amok in the midfield, the Irish scored the first points of the second half. MacDonald continually pushed the ball forward for the Irish and, with heavy support from Viv in the Irish backline, the Irish began to match the Aussies score for score and put together some good, free flowing football.

But it wasn't to be the Paddy's day, the game ended, after another Aussie score, with a scoreline of 54-15. Man of the Match, as awarded by the Irish, went to Burbs for his fine aerial display up forward - he scored himself a brand new Digicel phone.

Special mentions to Brad the Canadian who went hard for Australia and lost two front teeth towards our victory, poor bugger isn’t looking good, so let's pass around the hat to help out with the dentist fees. Mouthguards will be a must for ANZAC day! Thanks to Bluey (the Captain of the Rugby club) for shouting the boys beers after the match.

Of course, a BIG cheers to all the boys who got out there and played, yes it was a huge feat considering the night before, but you really did make Australia proud. Thanks to the Irish contingent who 'had a go' we are looking forward to the next match, which will be pure Aussie Rules, where we secure another victory on ANZAC day.

Thanks to Matthew Borthwick, Jamie McCann and Gavin McMaster for providing information for this and the previous Cayman Islands story, and to Nicole Aburrow for the supplied photographs.