Mega Bretta Jotta does the match report for the match against the Malaysian Warriors at the 2012 Champs. Photo, Joanna Zelaya, Vietnam Vs Cambodia, 21 July 2012.

Mega Bretta Jotta reports on Game 4 of the 2012 Asian Champs: Vietnam Swans Vs Malaysian Warriors. A win to play off in the finals – or a loss to go away and lick our wounds?

The Swannies were about to head into the last game – bodies sore, sunburnt and cramps were starting to creep in. But, with a finals’ campaign on the line, the boys were fired up and for those of us who had been here before, we knew the next game was a matter of “Do or Die”. Our Champs campaign would be over if we couldn’t win.

Captain Dukesy fired us up as we took to the field to line up against our opponents, the Malaysian Warriors who had yet taste a loss  on the day. The Swannies took to positions and with a loud siren blaring- it was “Game on!”.

Malaysia, as their name suggests, are warriors. From the first bounce, they attacked the ball hard and cleared it from the centre. Our backline held strong with great plays coming from Heater, Nat Payne and Nathan Milner. Fierce tackling, courageous marks and then continuing on for the 2^nd and 3^rd efforts… The wind was causing some problems and despite exhaustion creeping in, the boys did a fantastic job continually feeding the ball out to our strong on-ballers, who were creative in going forward.

The Swannies were pressing hard into the forward line with Dave (SOS), Revo and the ‘Blower (Kev Hornblower) leading hard. There were also strong 2^nd efforts but very little was getting through the sticks.

With the scores close and a very strong game being fought out, a goal was needed by the Swannies. Then, a kick-in went to Dukesy. Dukesy passed it over to Mega Bretta, who then showed some great running skills and efforts  to finish off the first half with a goal to level the scores.

The second half was well fought out with both teams fighting hard and trying to create. The Swannies centre men were doing a fantastic job through the likes of Dave O’Shea running hard, Ado and Captain Dukesy was absolutely inspiring and fierce all day. Rucking by Billy Cranger and Mr Pow-ell (Paul Koch) were very strong although things were very tight. The likes of MJ, Qui and Sean Milner were creating and pushing hard. It was great to be a part of.

Our awe-inspiring Damo Judd, was superb down back as our full-back, running hard and spoiling. He was a man on a mission that went above and beyond, stopping everything that came in his path.

Our breakthrough came through a behind – the only score of the half – which was “all” we needed to put us in the lead- and that carried us through.

We had won the match. It was a hard fought game but, through our hard work, determination and second efforts, the Swannies now had an anxious wait to learn if we had indeed made the finals…

A great win by the Swannies!!! Honk! Honk!

Final Score: Vietnam Swans, 13pts defeated Malaysian Warriors, 12pts.