November is up to this point, the busiest month in the history of expat rugby clubs in China. Great on one hand as there is lots of rugby to be played but the backlash is that with injuries and work commitments the squad can be spread a little thin. Round 3 of the Sino 10s in Wuhan was always going to be an exciting event for the teams involved, but with only 11 travelling players Nanjing new it was going to be a long day if people got hurt.
Nanjing Rockets RFC had been put in a group with Wuhan first team (Wuhan Black) and Chongqing Warriors RFC which was tough yet exciting as Wuhan had never lost a game at home and Nanjing and Chongqing had never played against each other so our local lads were sure what to expect. Nanjing, with limited numbers came out firing on all cylinders and with a clear strategy to take the game to Wuhan, found themselves going forward when in possession and determined in defence when without. This high tempo and committed approach took Nanjing Rockets RFC to half time with 3 unanswered tries. Knowing though that with the Wuhan players’ caliber the game was far from over and that a level headed approach to the second half was required. Surely enough, a very different second half followed in which Wuhan dominated territory and possession but were unable to convert this into more points as handling let them down in the final phases. This allowed Nanjing to alter the pace of the game and run the clock down to finish victorious. Wuhan Black 5 – 19 Nanjing Rockets.
After such a committed display in the first Nanjing came into this second game buzzing and looking to take the game to their opponents. Nanjing stuck to their game plan of quick ball, players working in pods and runners always in support. This worked a treat with Chongqing missing a considerable number of tackles which allowed Nanjing to keep going forward to score six unanswered tries. This second strong performance put Nanjing into their second final out of three rounds of the Sino 10’s league. Nanjing Rockets 41 – 0 Chongqing Warriors .
The Rockets knew that a repeat performance of how they played against Wuhan was the only way they would get the result which was so desperately wanted. Nanjing started off brightly and were the first to dot the ball down over the try line. However, Shanghai are not a team to ever lie down and came back with three unanswered tries after strong territorial possession and a keen eye for the try line.
With only four minutes left on the clock, things were looking bleak for Nanjing Rockets. A change in tempo came from an inspired speech from Hayden and the half pitch sprint from Wang to score Nanjing’s second try. Either way Nanjing’s commitment and belief in each other kept them in the game and with a penalty five metres from their opponent’s try line plus an abundance of options the ball was sent to the backs who opened a beautiful line for Teumsy to gas through and score for the Rockets to reclaim the lead 21 – 20. Was this enough for these 11 players? Not at all, for in the dyeing seconds of the game Nanjing’s makeshift 10 found himself running down the blindside with a one man overlap; with a quick dummy pass and a change in speed Hayden made a beeline for the try line. Nanjing Rockets 26 – 20 Shanghai RFC.
