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Vs Jakarta Bintangs, October 1997
Sidakarya Field, Bali

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A challenge was thrown out by a traveling Jakarta Bintang Footballer to an expatriate Australian living in Bali. “I could run rings around you on the football field” the Jakarta Bintang quipped. “We haven’t even seen Australian football here, but I am sure we could give you boys a red hot run for your money” was the somewhat cocky reply from the Bali-based Australian. “Well I’m going to bring my team down here to kick you guys into the Never Never”. “Bring it on!”

And so, the Bali Geckos were born. A hasty run was made around the island attempting to find able bodies that could kick a ball, or who might have seen a game on TV and therefore had some idea of what the game consisted of. Although the majority of the team was rugby players, the Geckos took to the field for the first time, hard at the ball and at the man, as Ken Allen found out after a huge shirt front (within the rules, of course) by Hinchy. In borrowed jumpers resembling those of the Brisbane Bears, the Geckos were not victorious in this first outing, but acquitted themselves well and a club was born.

Points to note:
Although he was recruited to play with the Geckos, as the Bintangs only had seven players in attendance (including current President, John Lincoln), Sticks was included in the players to play for the Bintangs. He finished the day with 5 goals for the day. Due to the large lead that the Bintangs had built up to half-time, Nathan, who was at the time suffering from Dengue fever, dragged himself off the bench and went into the forward line to kick 3 goals.