Back in the game...

 So, rugby started again on Monday afternoon.  Unfortunately, I misread the bulletin and thought it started at 2:30, instead of 1:30.  Jake had been told at school to be there at 1:30, but neglected to tell me that.  I realised my mistake at 2:00 and we quickly rushed down for the last 5 minutes of practise and to make our excuses.  So, officially, yesterday was Jake's first day back on the field.  He has been so excited about playing rugby again and couldn't wait to get there.  Most mom's cringe at the thought of their boys getting involved in rugby, but the other option was hockey and I can't see how it's any safer for boys this age to be running around hitting a hard ball with a stick that's almost as long as they are.  Rugby, at this level, is really tons of fun.  They do lots of fitness training and great warming up (that's Jake's hairy legs second from the left) and I love Jake's little 6-pack that he has by the end of the season.  They learn the valuable lesson of being part of a team.  They play bare foot and there's no scrumming.  They are taught the precious lessons of how to play safe rugby from word go.  No stiff arms, no shoulder shoving and NO high tackles.  I like it...

Here they are learning how to tackle properly... Grab low and pull down.  If you go down, holding onto their ankles, they go down...  

 After warming up, the boys are split into two groups for a little fun match between themselves.  It's the best way to learn.  This was a very proud moment for me yesterday - Jake running for the try line...

 Run Jake, run!  I was jumping up and down (quietly so as not to embarrass him), so my photo is blurred, sorry...

 And this is the closest I came to actually getting a picture of the try.  I was watching the game over my camera.  Regardless of it's very imperfect composition, I love this photo.  Jake just looks so pleased with himself, sorta like "yes, take that!" as he goes to dot the ball down...

 I also love it when they line up in the middle of the field to start the game up again after a try.  So serious...

 Jake hand his hurt when he scored his try.  It's really sore, but I'm pretty sure it's not broken.  He went to school today with a bandage on his hand.  Quite cute how some of the boys are already wearing gum guards (Jake has one that Danie bought him, I must scratch it out again) and caps and shoulder pads.  They take this so seriously... 

 There aren't many boys in Jake's age group playing rugby, which is a bit sad.  It makes scraping a team together for matches a bit tough on the coaches...

 I love being a fly on the wall and seeing how Jake does by comparison to his peers.  "Pass the ball, I'm over here"...

 But did you know I have a war wound??

 Only when I'm not playing rugby though...

 Go Jake, go! 

 Noooooo....

 Gritting his teeth, taking the fall and checking out his options... 

 A quick pass, unfortunately collected by the opposing team...

 Realising that I'm taking photos on the side, means a quick smile and a rub of his hand to show me that it's hurting... 

 Jake, the game, the game!  Keep your eye on the ball, not your mother... Oh well, give him time, at least he's tacking and getting to touch the ball from time to time...

I LOVE rugby.  I love Jake's rugby.  I love watching him playing, it gets my blood pumping with the hope that he's going to do something he can walk off the field proud of.  It's SO much more exciting than watching rugby on TV.  I love seeing the team grow and learn, it's just wonderful to be experiencing life through the eyes of a little boy.

Love Sue X