For the second year running, the Devils have taken on the toughest road trip in Chinese rugby and come away with the spoils after an impressive victory over the Crabs in Shanghai, 10-7.
Whilst the score line was close its fair to say it did not reflect the sheer dominance of the Devils over their traditional rivals and only some incredible, body on the line defence from the Crabs prevented the score blowing out in the first half.
Both teams were greeted by heavy rain and strong winds on Saturday morning and at that stage a dour affair was expected with the conditions far from ideal. By kick off the rain had subsided but The Devils were playing the first half with a gale at their backs, or at least a 15 point breeze as young Charlie declared.
The first scrum set the platform for the game as the Devils pack simply annihilated their opposition and from there it was clear it was going to be a forwards game. The Devils kept it in close and started making easy metres around the fringes off the rucks led by Man of the Match Dave Archer who was outstanding. When it did go wide deft kicks by Rhys Evans and Coach Ker turned the crabs around and had them camped on their own line for almost the entire half.
For those Devils on the sidelines it was an encouraging start and so high was the confidence that the tries would soon start flowing, there was great relief when Graeme was pulled up just short of the line on what was a certain try. Had he scored we would have all had to look away at something else at that very moment and would have missed it but thankfully that wasn’t the case.
But the tries didn’t come and The Crabs impressive backs to the wall defensive effort was unsettling The Devils who could not finish off wave after wave of attack. But the backs did find a chink in the defence and some quick hands down the short side put Jon Christie away down the flank and over for his first YSC try which was celebrated with a big Swan dive. “Well he’s getting fined for that”, was the first comment heard. However it was not to be. One of those people who got beaten up constantly at school and became a touch judge to get revenge back on society, stuck his flag out and ruled the final pass forward. Jon didn’t get his try but he certainly got fined.
The Devils first try was a fitting outcome for a forward display that had the Crabs shell-shocked. The Devils packed down a series of scrums and were gunning for the pushover effort only for the Crabs to buckle under the pressure. After four of five efforts the referee had no choice and awarded the Devils a penalty try which was duly converted. No one is sure by whom though. It could have been Graeme but there is no official confirmation.
With The Devils finally on the board, they secured the ball from the kick off and went right back to what they had done all half and marched down field towards the crabs line. But with half time approaching The Devils could only manage a very well taken penalty kick by a person whose names escapes me from 35 metres out in windy conditions. The Devils went into the break 10-nil up and given the dominance many thought the Crabs had done extremely well to keep it that close.
The second half was a battle of attrition. With The Devils now playing into the strong breeze the first half domination was a thing of the past with the game on a more even keel. With 20 minutes to go The Crabs made a half break from an attacking scrum on the 22 metre line and an impressive offload saw them go in under the posts to reduce the defcit to 10-7. The Shanghai fans came alive and it was game on for the final 15 minutes.
After being camped in their own half The Devils earned a penalty and kicked into the corner and held the crabs on their own goal line for 10 minutes to round out the match. Again wave after wave of attack was stopped but it did not matter with Shanghai having to go 100 metres to take the match. The referee blew the final whistle and The Devils had won the game and gone back to back.
Congratulations to each and every man in the squad who played their part. The win was deservedly celebrated long and hard into the night. Wayne and Garth, The Blues Brothers, Siegfried and Roy, Starsky and Hutch, Jobs and Gates, Little Red Riding Hood and The Wolf, Ketchup and Mustard, The British Synchronised Swimming team and the Guidos from Jersey Shore turned a few heads and showed Shanghai how to party.
But it’s a real dynamic duo we should thank. After three years Captain Kernan and Coach Ker go out as back to back Beijing Cup and Yelllow Sea Cup Champions. Thanks for your efforts guys and the Devils are now in a strong position to make it a hatrick of Yellow Sea Cup victories in 2012.
Shanghai 7 (1 try 1 Conversion) Beijing 10 (Penalty Try. Conversion: Ker. Penalty: Ker). Referee: Peter McCombe. Touch Judges: Two annoying snitches. Crowd: 253,897. Sense of satisfaction: Immense.