Eric’s Blog

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On a cold Thursday morning  sixteen students from Te Awamutu Intermediate arrived at school early, ready for the big day a head of them. We left school, for the Hamilton city gardens at eight fifteen and quickly arrived at twenty five too, gathering some… memorable moments along the way.

After a wile of waiting for everyone to turn up, we were finally led in and showed our places. By nine o’clock we were all set up and taking a look around at everyone else’s display. By ten past nine it was time to stand by our boards and wait the long a nervous wait for the judges to look at our boards.

It seemed like for ever waiting for the judges. But finally, after what seemed like the longest wait ever, it was my turn. I was so nervous I talking to the judges and I think it showed. But it was finally over by ten o’clock and I was free to finish off looking at the other displays.

Well I was there I also saw a demonstration of a really  cool smoked powered engine. During the this time everyone else from T.A.I. had gone for a walk around the gardens and had left Iain and I alone to wait for them. After about an hour of waiting we figured that since Mrs Tyson was leading them they had got lost but surely enough they were back at one forty five and it was time to head back for school.

We arrived back to school and not wanting to go back to class I helped clean the van and then Mrs Tyson’s car (which had not been cleaned in the three years shes had it).

A great end to a long day with no work.

Well it has been a very long two weeks. But the Olympics are nearly over, and with that, the controversy it beheld.

As expected China has dominated these games and has so far gathered the most amount of gold medals followed close behind by America. America holds the most amount of medals won over all.

It has been a decent medal haul this year for New Zealand, we have even managed to gather three golds along the way, with one set of them come from back to back Olympic Champions, the Ever-Swindel twins. Our other two medals were acquired in the shot put and sailing. We have also managed to get six other medals spread throughout a wide range of sports. New Zealand has finished 25 overall on the total amount of  medals won by one country, with a total of 9 medals. Even managing to beat countries like Switzerland, Denmark and even South Africa.

Well as many of you may know the 2008 Olympic Games are due to start in two days. There has a lot of controversy over the games being held this year, such as many people boycotting the games and trying to interfere with the wit the path of the Olympic Torch. Why you may wonder, that this controversy has taken place on an event that lasts only 14 days. Well it all started like this…

In 2001, when China first put there bid into behold the 2008 Olympics they promised to improve there human rights, but from watching many videos on the matter I believe they have only tried to cover up the matter. They also promised to make Beijing (where the games are being held,) less polluted. In the past year China has made a dash to do this, by taking taxis and other vehicles that cause (sometimes) hazardous toxins off the road during the period of the games

Also in this last dash to make the city look better, they have out lawed prostitutes, homeless and people who are protesting against the Olympic Games and for all the hard ship done to them.?

So taking in all this in, do you think China should still have the rights to the 2008 Olympics

Yesterday my team ( Te Awamutu 13th grade,) played Hamilton Old Boys 13th grade…

The game was a nine am kick off so it meant i had to be up early, really early, especially for me. I arrived down at T.A.S. at eight and waited for the rest of my team to arrive. Within the next twenty minuted we were dressed and warming up. Today I would be playing half back and also captaining the team as usual. After warming up it was time to do the toss. “heads” calls the Old Boy captain, it lands so I pick for Te Awamutu to be on defense first.

From kick off we were deep in side there 22 and putting pressure on. The mucky conditions made it hard to keep ball in hand. All of a sudden the ball pops out of the ruck and into to my hands breaking one tackle I realize that I’m five meters off the try, three of there players come into tackle me, I quickly think can I make it. I know I can so i put my head down to go for put then I see Nikau Out side of me with know one marking him. I make the pass just as the defenders get to me. Nikau smoothly slides through the muddy grass to cross for our first try.

Old Boys came back hard and fast after this, using there big boys out wide and creating and over lap for there number eight to have a clear run to the line. The games tied were on the half way our scrum in the middle of the field we could go either way, I tap the number eight on the back signaling him to run it off the back. He takes off down the side line bowling over all in his way to dive over the try line and put us back in the lead. The game was dead even after this, with play consisting in the ten meter and half way lines of both halves until a lose pass lets and intercept through, Rewiti hunts him down and smashes him into the ground, using this this new found momentum they break our defense once more taking the score to 20-17.

Desperately hanging on to try take the win we use all we have left right up till the last play… The ball is passed, it’s lose, I chase after it and put a hefty boot into to put it out. The final whistle goes, leaving us the victors, after a long and hard fought game. At the prize giving H.O.B. gave me player of the day… YAY!

Well a couple of weeks ago you may remember I wrote a post about the start of this years Gwynne Shield campaign for Te Awamutu. Well during the first week of the holidays the competition was held…

The day had finally come, it was time for Te awamutu and all other nine teams competing in the Gwynne Shield competition to decide the fate of who would be crowned as the 2008 Gwynne Shield champions and go down in history.

SUNDAY:Our first game was against Morrinsville. We all wanted to make a big impression in our first game, so we took the field with all cylinders busting and scored two quick tries and a sneaky penalty taking the score to 13-0. We slowed down thinking we had the game won when all of a sudden Morrinsville had scored and were still in our 22. Second half, the game could go either way with there only being 8 points in it. Morrinsville came out with a blur scoring a quick try to take the score to 13-10. Luckily enough we had enough left in us to hold them out and making us the eventual victors 13-10. Back in the changing room we were not happy knowing we had only just held on to win this game, but it wasn’t all bad because we had put our first points on the table.

MONDAY: Today was going to be a hard game going u p against a very talented who had gone down yesterday and today would be out to win. From the start the Hamilton Tigers were inside our 22, we manged to hold them out for most of the first half but with them consistently pounding our line we let them through once taking the half time score to 5-0. The second stayed the same for most of it with them scoring another two tries to take it to 15-0. The last 10 minutes we all stood up and played our best and finally got down into there 22 and staying there. Finally we were pounding there line but there defense held us out, with the game being ended with the ball being held up over the goal line.

TUESDAY: The Tritons, last years raining champions was todays opponent. They had been together since Christmas dedicated to trying to retaining there championship. The game was intense, with the no points being scored in the first half. A slight error right on our line in the second half but them in front 7-0. We quickly came back from this taking the lead for a couple of minutes 7-5 but a quick back move from the Tritons and they were in front 12-5 and this is how it stayed for the rest of the game.

WEDNESDAY: Today was a day of desperation, we needed a win to want to have the chance to make the top and play semifinal day Friday. North Waikato had not won a game yet or let alone scored a try we were looking to keep it this way. Today being our only game on the main field we were looking to impress and impress we did, coming out with a 46-0 halftime score and a 98-0 full time score. This bringing up the biggest ever winning margin in the history of Gwynne Shield by 26 points.

THURSDAY: Coming off the back of a record win we were eager to win again like that but today it would not be so easy, playing the only unbeaten team in the completion, the Hamilton Wasps. Everyday this week they had beat all there opponents and in all but 1 game scored at least 5 tries. We came out firing knowing we had to win to make the semi. The game was tit for tat, until we scored to quick tries to take us in the lead by 2 points with five minutes to go. But a silly mistake on our 10 meter line gave them the opportunity to win the game. Not thinking to take the three and about to tap and run it when there coach runs on with a tee and persuades them to take the 3. Having the best kicker in the competition they take the advice and slice the ball over to take the game by 1 point 20-19. BUT by us only losing by one point still but us in predicament that we could still make the semis as long as our earlier opponents the Tigers beat Cambridge. LUCKILY FOR US IT HAPPENED!

FRIDAY/SEMIS: We had made it this far and were not going to let it slip but it was not going to be an easy game having to play the Wasps again. We had the wind in the first half, so we used it to our advantage and but 7 points on the board. Taking the half time score to 7-0. Using there awesome kicker in the second part of the game we were stuck in our half and let them score to much which eventually cost us the game 17-5. All was not lost though we were still going to play on Waikato Stadium main field and would competing for not only third place but best placed country team.

SUNDAY/FINALS: We were to play second on the main field at Waikato Stadium after the 5 and 6 place decider was played. We were play the Tritons again last years winners. We were determined to win this time however. After warming up in our changing rooms we took the field. We played our hearts out to the big crowd that had started to develop. We were quickly a head and never lost our momentum for either halves. Being the victors in the end 24-12 we were ecstatic, not only winning but on Waikato Stadium and also gaining third and best placed country team in the tournament.

I played all of the tournament apart from 5 minutes of a game. Over all I had a great time and wish next years team the best of luck!

THE STANDINGS (top 6)

1st: Hamilton Wasps

2nd: Hamilton Panthers

3rd: Te Awamutu

4th: Tritons/ South Waikato

5th: Hamilton Tigers

6th: Cambridge

ENGLISH:

My English goals  is to improve my spelling.I can achieve this by practising it when i get board.

I believe I have achieved this goal, as I have improved my spelling in my work that has been handed and in published  workfor my blog.

Another English goal is to read faster. I can do this by reading more and for longer periods.

I have managed to improve my reading speed, I believe I have achieved this because I have been reading for longer periods of time.

 MATHS:

My maths goal is to not make silly mistakes while doing my work. I can achieve this by checking my work after I have completed it and fix it if needed.

I have achieved this goal, I am now finding that I am getting a greater percent of my math questions correct, as I am taking more time to think it through

SPORT:

My sport goal is to make the Gwynne shield team again. I can achieve this by trying my hardest and keeping focused on my goal.

I have achieved this goal, along with two other boys in my class, I will be participating in Gwynne Shield competition over the first week of these holidays (second term holidays). I will also be a starting player for the representative team.

 LANGUAGES:

My language goal is to learn the closing Kara kia off by heart. I can achieve this by practising it when i get board.

I have achieved this goal, I can now confidently recite the closing kara kia.

Another languages goal is to learn how to speak more  french. I can achieve this by trying my hardest in Mrs Shaw’s french class.

I believe I have done my best to complete this goal, I have improved my knowledge in the french language, so I believe I have achieved this goal

After two months of training with the Development squad, it was finally time for the two trials, and of course to find out who would be good enough to make the team!

We had to weigh in and register before our first trial, as for this team you needed to be under 55kgs to make it in. luckily enough I was, weighing in at 53.7kgs. We headed into the grand stand to get our positions, jerseys and geared up. I was to play prop being one of the biggest in the team and playing it last year for Gwynne Shield. The trails would be four fifteen minute quarters long.

For the first trail I was in the maroon team. The game was fierce and hard but with a moment slacking off the yellow team went in front with a sneaky try from Nikau. Our defense was like this letting them get another two sneaky tries. Taking the final score to 15-0

Tuesday came around quickly and it was time for the next trial, this time the trial would be at night and of course under lights. We were split up again and this time I was on the yellow team. We took the field eager for some game time. Within the first few minutes of the our team was in front, with a quick try from Mitchell. We  weren’t in front for long though, we slacked off for a split second and before we knew it they were tied up and in front. The score line stayed like this for the whole game. With the final score. 24-19. We were dissapointed but not to much, I mean it was only a trial. We handed the gear back in an dispursed all hoping we had done enough to make the team.

5.6.08 I got a call last night and I made the team.

On Sunday the 23rd of may 2008, 12 of Te Awamutu Sports 13th grade boys set out for Ngrawahia, for 10 a side tournament.

We arrived and set up tent with the 11th grade and waited for our 1st game to arrive. It was 20 minutes before our game before we started warming up. After Dad ( the stand in coach for the day, also the only referee from Te Awamutu there) had lead us through some stretches (and push ups!) We headed to the field for a team run in the positions we were about to embark the field in. At first it was bit strange in the team run because there were only allowed to be 5 men in the scrum ( which meant the would be no flankers or no.8) and there was no pushing. Being 10 aside rugby it was also hard for the backs as you could only have 5 , so you would have to miss out some vital positions.

It was 5 minutes before our game and we all came into a huddle, after a few encouraging words from our manager (as Dad had already left to do his first game) it was my turn as captain to give the boys a rev up getting them ready for the game a head. We headed on strong headed but we didn’t play at our best and it showed with them running in seven or so tries and managing to keep us from their line despite a awesome break from rewieti. Final score 35-0 to Eastern Suburbs.

We sadly trudged back sadly thinking bout what we had done wrong. It wasn’t all bad as we could still win the plate division (2nd division) but we would have to win our next game ( against a team that had also lost their first game).

It was set we were to play Ngrawahia and we wpuld have to beat them if we wanted to get a decent placing. Twenty minutes before the game we started warming up once more. It was time… the decider was here, both teams needed a win to carry on the competition and only one could. I lead the boys out onto the field, with a high sense of desperateness in the air (for both teams). Our game had certainly stepped up a few notches since Eastern Suburbs but it still wasn’t enough to stop them from scoring their first try from a slack moment of defense. 5-0 the score at half time and all the T.A.S. boys knew we could still win this. Our game was at its best ever in the second half with courtesy of Justin ( our wingers) massive 3/4 of the field run we managed to score our first try but this just made Ngrawahia step up their game to the next step also allowing them to score a sneaky try. I think all our hearts sank when we heard the full time whistle blow. A yell of cheers came from the Ngrawahi side of field. We huddled up with less sense of disappointment after our manager had said four words to us ” you tried your hardest”. Shaking the other teams hand was great knowing for once we had just had a close game.

The day was over for us (well at least we thought so) and most of us left except me and the coach and the people who came with me and Dad. Then all of a sudden we found out we had a consolation game to play (against Hamilton Marist) but we only had five people so we had to forfeit. luckily the other team didn’t show either so it was counted as a draw.

The final whistle blew in my Dads final game and it was time to go. Even though we had lost all our games it was still a fun jam packed day of rugby and we got to see some of the teams we had not yet played, also to eye them up for our 15 aside game against them.

Oh yeah, I’m talking bout rugby if you do not already know

On Tuesday the 13th of May, 14 young but talented boys left T.A.I. for gallaway park, for the boys inter intermediate soccer. We departed school at 8:40am and arrived at gallaway park (in Hamilton) by 9:00 and eyed up the competition. Our first game came around fast. we kicked off at 9:45 against peach-grove. this was a very tight game ball going from end of the field to the other. In the end the final score was 5-0 to them. We trudged back to our station that we had set up and had a little bit to eat. After an hour of a mini soccer game it was time for our next game. This game was against Mairoa. This team was a lot easier than Peach-grove and we came away with the win 3-0. With smiles on our faces we headed back to our station for a well deserved drink and something to eat. We geared up for our final game. This was set to be hard hard game against Fairfield because both teams needed a win to get into the final. In the it was a disappointment for us with them beating us 4-0. The day was over for us so we packed up and headed back to school. We arrived back at school mostly grins on our faces even though we had lost because we gave it our all.