Results

The Geckos Tour of Duty
ANZAC Memorial Cup
Kanchanburi, April 28 2007

<< back to results

Veteran forward Chad Paul scored 4 goals to lead the Bali Geckos to victory over the Thailand Tigers in difficult conditions. Played on a water sodden surface and in emotional circumstances, the Geckos produced a controlled and skillful all-round team performance to cement their position as one of the strongest teams in Asian Footy, and an outside tip for the upcoming Asian Champs.

Invited to participate in the 4th Annual ANZAC memorial game in front of a crowd of some 200 onlookers and a small group of POW Diggers who had worked on the infamous Hellfire pass excavation, the Geckos also bid a farewell to Former President John Lincoln in his final game in the blue and green colors in which he has served so well.

Despite a torrential downpour, which delayed the start of the game by an hour, the game still showcased some great skills and effort by both sides, but eventually the determination of the Bali team proved too much for a full strength Tiger outfit.

Kicking to the wetter end in the first quarter, the Geckos drew first blood through some tireless play in the mid field, moving the ball close to the Tigers goal boundary, where the Nudester did a fair imitation of Christian Ronaldo, dragging the ball back in-field with his left, taking a two tap dribble across the goal mouth before calmly slotting home the points.

Both teams then took some time to adjust to the conditions, with few clear marks and a lot of effort over the ball. Close to the end of the quarter, debutant Gecko and heir to the throne of Helmet, B-Rad, grabbed an important sliding mark at the edge of the goal square after some great effort in the ruck from Gobbles and a neat low pass from the Ging. Showing no first match nerves, the little chatterbox was well on target and helped the Geckos extend their lead.

The Tigers responded with a neat passage of play which saw them work their way into Gecko territory, ultimately scoring a goal to narrow the gap.

Moving into the 2nd quarter, the Geckos made good use of the slightly drier goal area to exert continued pressure on the Tiger back line and put some space between the two teams. Good work in the middle from Buckets and solid work in the backline from JL and Sampras denied the Tigers any opportunities, whilst Texas and Mark worked hard to disrupt any balls moving the Tigers’ way. At centre half forward, Hendo battled to keep the ball in the Tigers’ half whilst up front Nude and B-Rad made the most of the chances that came their way with one or two charitable goal decisions. Nude in particular seemed to have been in favor with the footy Gods as one kick to goal saw head hanging shame turn to goal scoring jubilation as the goal ump ruled in his favor.

With a few key players rested for the majority of the 3rd quarter, it looked for a while as if the Tigers might get right back into the game, but neither side made many chances, only the Tigers scoring one and the Young Geckos drafted in from the touring school party worked hard to defend the Geckos slender lead. Towards the end of the quarter however, as the Geckos returned to full strength, a neat series of marks, highlighted by Buckets’ over head grab of a slippery ball and by the fluid movement of the ball out of defense right to the top of the goal square, clearly signaled the Geckos intentions. Though the Ging failed to convert the goal, there was a clear sense that the Geckos had regained the ascendancy.

With JL facing his last 15 minutes of Gecko football, the team gathered close in between the quarters and came out for the 4th full of determination to do the Former President proud. With only a couple of goals separating the teams, Troy’s soccer goal early in the quarter greatly reduced the pressure on the Geckos, and they dominated from then on to close out the game. In the backline Gunny and Pritch strangled every attempt the Tigers made to get close to goal, and the midfield worked tirelessly to present the forwards with numerous opportunities, with Nude scoring one more and Pizza finally getting on the score sheet late in the game taking one of the deck and ignoring an on-rushing Hinchy to snap a second on the turn.

In the end the Geckos won the ANZAC memorial cup, becoming the first touring side to claim the Trophy. Best on Ground was awarded to Gunny, who was presented with his award by one the Diggers, and he and Captain Buckets were similarly award the Cup.

Final score
Bali Geckos 9 6 60
Thailand Tigers 3 5 23

Best: Sammy Gosling, Shane Pritchard, Brad Fraser, Chad Paul, Peter Muir in a good team effort.
Goals: Chad Paul 4, Dan Brooks 2, Brad Fraser 2, Troy Sinclair 1.

The special occasion was made more so by a early morning trip out to Hellfire pass the next day for a short commemorative service to honor all those who lost their lives, both Australian, Allied and Asian, and to celebrate the spirit of mate-ship that binds us all together.

The Bali Geckos continued their winning form after defeating the Thailand Tigers by 37 points in the ANZAC Memorial Cup, played at Kanchanaburi, three hours north-west of Bangkok, last Saturday. The annual event was played in front of a hundred-plus crowd, including a number of World War II veterans, in trying conditions.
Despite only traveling with a small touring party of 15 players, the Geckos proved too skillful and determined for the hosts. Played on a water sodden surface and in emotional circumstances, the Geckos produced a controlled all-round team performance to cement their position as one of the strongest teams in Asian Footy, and an outside tip for the upcoming Asian Champs.

As the teams arrived at the ground, situated only a few hundred metres away from the infamous Bridge on the River Kwai, a heavy rain saw plans change, with both teams preferring to check into the hotel rather than attempting to start play in the monsoon rain.
Although the ground was left under a few inches of water, the rain allowed for much cooler playing conditions; a balmy 30 degrees rather than the predicted 44.
The day’s proceedings began with teams lined up while former POW’s Snow, Bill, Arthur and Ernie were introduced and presented with t-shirts from both teams in front in front of a hundred plus spectators, all of whom where members of the Quite Lion Tour in town for the ANZAC day memorial dawn service at Hellfire Pass. The anthem was then sung proudly by all in attendance.
Small party of only 15 Geckos numbers where increased by 50 year-old Doug as well as teenagers Matt, Kane and Dave.

Some misdirected handballs and scrappy play while players adjusted to the wet conditions.

Chad kicked first goal with some nifty soccer-style footwork by the boundary line, dragging the ball off the ground
A nice pick-up by Gobbles and quick hands to Mark who hit the leading Brad, who took a sliding chest mark and then kicked the Geckos second goal

The Geckos controlled most of the quarter but kicking to the wetter end of the oval they were presented with few clear goal-kicking opprortunities.

scoreboard did not reflect this, wetter forward area

Qtr time score
Geckos 2 2 14
Tigers 1 1 7

Midfeild dominated
Sammy continued to lead on-the ball, and was well supported by Brad

Half time score
Geckos 5 5 32
Tigers 2 2 14

The Geckos allowed Thailand back into the game after half-time. Despite continued good efforts from Pritch and the other mid-fielders, the Tigers took advantage of the Geckos’ lack of concentration and had much of the play in their half for the first part of the quarter. After a brief lull in the game, where the Geckos appeared to be loosing their grip on the game, the more experienced players who had been resting on the bench returned to the field and quickly regained control, resulting in one of the best passages of play of the day. Following a mark from XX in the back pocket, Sammy took a contender for mark of the day with a nice overhead mark at centre-half back. He then passed to Chad on the wing, who quickly centered the ball to Mark at Centre-half forward. Unfortunately the wet ball proved too heavy for him to make the distance, but given the conditions it was an encouraging way for the Geckos to close the third quarter.

Three-quarter time score
Geckos 5 5 32
Tigers 3 3 21

With Gun taking controlling a pass from Pritch, he passed Troy in the square, who goaled from off the ground to steady the Geckos’ control on the scoreboard.
the ball through the centre to pass to Gun’s kick clearing the pack to find Chad
Towards the end of the game, President Dan put the result beyond doubt with quick goals, one of which
Final score
Bali Geckos 9 6 60
Thailand Tigers 3 5 23

Best: Sammy Gosling, Shane Pritchard, Brad Fraser, Chad Paul, Peter Muir in a good team effort.
Goals: Chad Paul 4, Dan Brooks 2, Brad Fraser 2, Troy Sinclair 1.

To round off a meaningful weekend, the next day an emotional private service was conducted by the teams at Hellfire Pass, the site of terrible forced labour and inhumane conditions suffered by Australian and Allied POW’s as well as indentured Asian labourers during World War II. Over