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Gaijin Top Table.{Sunday 16th September, Shuto League ,Yanokouchi, Tokyo, Japan }
The Tokyo Gaijin RFC were looking forward to their rematch with Tento Mushi (Translation : Lady Bugs/ Lady Birds/ Lady Beetles – whatever tickles your fancy) after a very close match last year (17v12 to Tento Mushi). While Tento Mushi Club went on to win the competition the Gaijin lost a few games that perhaps they should have won, and ended up languishing near the bottom of the table. The match had originally been set down for Kizoochi Field way out in Saitama but with that field still under water from the recent Typhoon Number 9 that drenched Tokyo the week before, the game was cancelled. A day later it was back on at Yanokuchi Field – much closer to home for many guys.
With at last 6 regular starting members missing from the team, including Captain Alaister Nimmo, regular try-scorer Apisai Bati, and lineout legend Murray Clarke, there were some that doubted the teams’ ability to overcome Tento Mushi. However, with the depth the club has managed to build this year, the team still looked strong on paper. There were a few notable changes though. So Nagashima was coming back into the flanker position after 2 years out on the wing, and Toru Kanamori was switching to halfback from hooker, something he has only done on the Manila and Sugadaira tours. Yoichi Ohira was supposed to start at Flyhalf but didn`t make the designated meeting time due to the fact he was still in bed. In his defense, you should all know that it is difficult for Japanese Salary Men to get up before 11:00am on Sundays.
Shuto League 10s Urayasu Japan,
On a cool summer day on the first day of July, the Tokyo Gaijin took the field in Urayasu as part of the Urayasu 10s tournament. While most players showed up and were ready to play on time, as per usual there were a few who were late or debilitated due to long nights of helping old ladies across the street and other gentlemanly pursuits.
Captain Al Nimmo and Vice Captain Jesse Takahashi busied themselves with the paperwork to find out which field was A and which field was B, which teams were in our pool and when exactly we were to play our opposition. They then set about organizing the large squad of Gaijin players that had gathered. A quick team warm up and run through was performed as stomach's churned in anticipation of the upcoming battle.
First up - Tokyo Gaijin vs. Urayasu Beers (Win).
While the squad that played in the first game is a haze in the back of my memory bank I do remember that it was a fine try by Apisai Bati that sealed the Gaijin`s fate in the first few minutes of the tournament. This drive helped to ignite the Gaijin. With a win under the belt the team took advantage of the rest time to practice their kicking and prepare for their next confrontation.