On the 1st May 2004, 27 Yellowbellies departed to Thailand/Vietnam for their latest overseas escapade. Games were arranged in Bangkok, against a combined Bangkok Bangers/British Club side, in Pattaya against the Pattaya Panthers and in Saigon against the Saigon Geckos. It was great to re-establish contact with the Bangkok and Pattaya sides after our tour there in 2001.
In true Yellowbellies tradition, we “allowed” our opposition a victory over their much more “mature” opposition, needless to say, the aftermatch celebrations were far more memorable than the games and many new friendships were forged. Credit must go to the Yellowbellies who hauled themselves out of their sickbeds to get on the field. It is yet to be determined the cause of the illness, some say the water, others the food but one thing is for certain, it can’t have been the beer??
We look forward to seeing some of the “Bangers” in Hamilton in mid June to return their hospitality.
The watering holes of the Wall St Bar in Bangkok, Shenanigans in Pattaya and Café Latin in Saigon all come highly recommended and live rugby on TV is available in all three.
Any teams considering touring Thailand and Vietnam can be assured of a warm welcome and can feel free to contact the Yellowbellies for any advice re: their touring plans and contacts for games

YELLOWBELLIES HAKA
Composed by Peter Moloney
Led by Pierre Lind

The Ageless Yellowbellies 2004
The numbers on the back show the year we were born

The Real Yellowbellies 2004

Yellowbellies v Bangkok Bangers/British Club

Our first game was played on Wednesday the 5th of May at a private school on the banks of the Mae Nam Chao River in Bangkok. The ground was not a full size and as the weather was very hot and humid we were very glad. The team we played was a combination of two club teams so there were plenty of players. As we had only 17 players we were glad to be able to use their players as the game wore on. After the game everyone went to the Wall Street bar for the normal activities after a game of rugby. Many thanks to Rick who runs the Wall Street bar for his hospitality. Also many thanks to John Pritchard from the British club for the great time we had at their premises.

The Kick off, the boys on the go, the best said about his picture is there is no opposition in sight. Go for it boys!

Frits throwing the ball into a lineout, John Pritchard admiring the throw, yellowbellies looking for a jumper (and not one to wear either)

Action, Action, Action, Sweat, Sweat, Sweat

Frits and Hamish from the Bangers having a beer after the game. Derek in the back trying to recover. During the game three players from the Yellowbellies suffered injuries. Jeff did a rib cartilage, Keith an AC joint and Steven from Bali a broken foot, so much for the social side of rugby. Keith and Jeff showed real team spirit by playing in Pattaya and Saigon.

As can been seen by the numbers Rugby in Bangkok is in good heart, the hospitality from the Bangers and the British club was fantastic. There are five players from Bangkok visiting to follow the English team touring New Zealand and we will look after them when they arrive. Hopefully they will come back with their full team next year for the Lions tour.

Sarah, Linda, Joanne, Christine trying out the front row. Frits & Trev joining in.

Match Report – Pattaya Panther v Yellowbellies

Sunday 9th May 2004

Venue – Horseshoe Point

A week after the immensely successful Chris Kays Memorial Tens the Pattaya Panthers returned to Horseshoe Point for the much awaited return of the Yellowbellies touring team. The Yellowbellies, a veteran’s side hailing from Hamilton in New Zealand, were paying their second visit to Pattaya after their previous tour in 2001. As always the visitors arrived with a strong contingent of players and supporters. They also arrived with an unhealthy dose of ‘Pattaya belly’ which caused a number of their players a great deal of discomfort during the game!

The game was played under veteran’s rules (35 years old and over) and saw three ten minute periods, non contested scrums and a ban on kicking. This made for an entertaining game contested in the true spirit of touring rugby. The tackles were hard, the mauling and rucking physical and there was an appropriate amount of shenanigans when the referee was unsighted. All good clean stuff!

In typical New Zealand style the start of the game was preceded by the Haka. This version was especially written in Maori to reflect the subtle talents of this band of warriors. The game got under way with the Panthers playing uphill. A swiftly gathered kick by the Panthers was recycled and several moves were put together involving both forwards and backs. The move culminated in Duane Lindsay running into the in-goal area and cunningly repeating his Manila stunt of falling over his own feet. However, he did not break his arm this time and also managed to safely touch the ball down. First blood to the Panthers. A succession of tries followed for the Panthers scored by Steve Turner, Neil Smith and Mark Betteridge. After the a well needed break for both sides the game restarted and the Yellowbellies started to show their form as a rolling and driving side. They took the game to the younger Panthers and exposed some weaknesses in their defenses. The highlight of the second period was a try for the Yellowbellies on the final whistle scored by Frits from a quickly tapped short penalty. The Yellowbellies were on the score sheet and the battered Panthers knew that they were in a game. The third period started well for the Panthers as Mark ‘Bev’ Betteridge ran in his second of three tries. However, the visitors answered back immediately with two tries from Jeff and Pete Maloney. Pete had provided great amusement earlier in the game when the ball popped into his hands unexpectedly and he stood there shocked with a look of horror on his face not knowing what to do. However, his teammates helping him out took the ball off of him and drove it up the field. Several more tries followed for the Panthers to complete a hard fought and good natured game. The sides clapped each other off the field to hearty applause from the crowd and slaps on the back all round.

In true Pattaya Panthers fashion both sides adjourned to the Horseshoe Point pool for a swim and Heineken fueled rehydration session. Then it was off to Shenanigans for a well earned few beers and the presentation of the man of the match award which was unanimously awarded to Mike from the Yellowbellies.

If you are interested in rugby or the Pattaya Panthers you can find them at: www.pattayapanthers.com or email to: pdunn@loxinfo.co.th.

Moment of the match:
The moment of the match must be the kick off. The fact that the Yellowbellies managed to field a side is a testament to their resilience and courage. Half the team were suffering chronic stomach upsets. Also three of their players took the field despite carrying injuries from a game in Bangkok earlier in the week. So a special mention in dispatches for Keith, Trev and Munsy.

Villain of the Match:
This award was hard to find a home for as the game was played in the great good natured spirit that characterizes touring rugby. However, it must have a home and is therefore awarded to the Panthers venerable Chairman Jimmy Howard for the very creative use of his hands when disrupting a Yellowbellies ruck.

Scorers:
Pattaya Panthers
Tries – Mark Betteridge x3, Steve Turner, Neil Smith, Raymond Lindsay, Brian Reid, Richard Holt, and Peter Bowden.

Yellowbellies
Tries – Frits, Jeff and Peter Maloney.

Peter Moloney scoring a try at Horseshoe Point.

Frits throwing in to a lineout, you can see why we are called zig zag.

Yellowbellies, Pattaya Panthers Team Photo Horseshoe Point

The boys enjoying themselves at the pool after the game enjoying a few Heinekens with the Panthers. Why can’t every rugby club have this facility.

The team at golf, it was very hot and the beer tasted great. OZ, Joanne, Kevin, Frits standing. Peter in red, Peter in white and Christine.

Pierre trying to cool off, check out the headpiece. Davy K looking on.

The boys watching the Super 12 Semi final at the Elephant Bar, Pattaya Beach.

Yellowbellies V Saigon Geckos Vietnam 15th May 2004

This was another game played in very hot conditions. As we were the first 15’s rugby team from New Zealand to tour Vietnam it was a bit of a mystery trip. We flew in from Bangkok on the 11th of May and the group felt right at home. We checked into the Grand Hotel which was great. We searched out the out the local drinking holes as you do and we were away. We met the local team at Café Latin their watering hole and sorted out the playing arrangements. After the game we went to a beach resort at Phan Thiet for four days of R&R, we had just played three games of rugby in 11 days in temperatures of 35o Celsius so a rest was needed.

Action from the game in Saigon. All our injured players played which showed great spirit. The Saigon team were considerable younger than us so the boys did a great Job. The Saigon team was off to Cambodia for their annual tournament with teams from Hanoi and Laos, Good luck.

A close up shot, Frits on the ground as usual, Peter next as usual Greg, Pierre and Trev in support

Team photo Yellowbellies and Saigon Geckos

Cheap Cheap Charlie aka Munsy in the pool at Phan Thiet, Pierre in the background.

OZ, Frits, Ash, Peter at Café Latin watching the Super 12 rugby final