Having returned from colonial shores in 2003 with a 100% record, Hawks looked forward
to their opening round tie with the Ponsonby Ponies from Auckland. Given that the
Auckland outfit were full time professionals, and Tinker was not on the bus the chances
of returning home with the Ladies Cup were as high as a Longbridge MG Rover
employee getting his summer bonus.

The experienced Hawks line up featuring the Grandmothers choice Andrew Little, the
housewives favourite Greig Francis, teen idol Kenny Sinclair, the perennial pink
favourite Stevie Gordon adored equally both men and women alike and the stablehands
choice Richard Maxton.

While the Hawks showed plenty of pace and guile, their failure to take their opportunities
cost them dear. The turning point came when they were leading 7-5 and they won a
penalty close to the Ponsonby line. The ineffective use of the ball and the subsequent
loss of possession led to another try for the visitors. Some stern words and motivation
were required by the coach at half time. However as the team were playing "Wheres
Lenny". Mr Shamilton who himself is no stranger to the media was conducting a live
television interview with the BBC. Denied this sages omnipotent sevens knowledge and
wisdom there was only ever going to be one winner and it was not going to be the
Hawks.

Despite the outcome the players aquitted themselves well. Little pulled the strings of the
Glasgow outfit like Arthur Thomson Snr. Former Scotland sevens squad member Kenny
Sinclair tried to remind us of why he used to be considered an expert of the abbreviated
code with his constant running and creative skills. Richard Maxton competed well but
the conditions underfoot were perhaps a little soft for this thoroughbred who surely
wished he competing against the Ponies at Aintree for the Grand National. Stuart Low
asked more questions of the opposition than Bob Holness. Unfortunately unlike the
unwashed students on Blockbusters Ponsonby appeared to have most of the answers.
Wes Henry the Rolls Royce on the wing appeared to have a flat tyre, as all to often he
was denied the space that he requires to open his legs and show his manly qualities.
Stevie Gordon and Franco got more ball than a bingo caller but all to often it was not
used effectively.

When Shamilton finally returned from the BBC make up department to put the subs on
they all showed up well with Olly Jones on first followed by the sweetie wrapper
Adamson adding his considerable physical bulk to the team and Ally MacLay providing
some cerebral input the Hawks finished strongly.

The Hawks performance clearly took a lot out of the Ponies who went out at the semi
final stage to eventual winners Stellenbosch. These well developed South African
athletes clearly did not waste their days touring diamond mines as they were the class
act of the tournament displaying pace, fitness and cohesion throughout.

This article was originally posted on 11-Apr-2005, 11:58 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 11-Apr-2005, 11:58.