Thank you Mark Badham for this exclusive reporting from Bali. Click here to visit the Bali 10s Gallery.

The Neddies Boy’s had a great and memorable trip over to the Bali 10’s Rugby Tournament, with an early meet at Perth International Airport and the first beer being cracked as the sun was rising over the Perth Hills. This was to be followed by copious alcoholic beverages supplied by smiling Garuda Airlines staff on the flight over. Arrival in Bali was a shock to the system with high temperatures and humidity that tempted the faint hearted to board the return flight to Perth. The journey to the famous Bounty Hotel was and adventure in itself and for those on their first trip it was an education on how not to drive and stay alive. The two Badham Boys were almost refused exit from Oz on the grounds of expired PR visa’s and this needs to be remembered at the next court session when Daddy Badham needs to be punished for this oversight. It was true to form that the Gainey got the party going and we all hit the ground running.

The hotel pool was the first port of call and refreshments were flowing freely while the shopaholics did their stuff, ranging from the sophisticated suit fitting and tailoring to the sleazy trawling of the back street bazaars for budget DVD’s. A good feed and much drink took us through to the early hours of the morning and sunrise for some. Friday was allocated for a bus trip out to Nusa Dua where many hours of water sport were available for those bold enough. This was all washed down with Bintang and beach food that kept coming out of a cluster of beach shacks until Neddies drunk them out of Bintang (Well done lads). A star drinking performance was displayed by a veritable host of professional drinker led by the one and only Trent with Muz supporting him with all the encouragement of a Club Presidento. The star sporting performance was without question from Richie on the weight board, no girls however were suitable impressed to offer anything more than casual glance (Sorry Richie). Then their was the attempt to get Kev airborne in the Stingray but he failed to get it up which apparently is not the first time, others would say it was due the excessive ballast weight being carried. The bus then moved onto Kedonganan Beach, Jimbaran  which was spectacular and an ideal location to while away the afternoon with Bintang, Jagermeister & Red Bull with a local Balinese Beach Band taking singing lessons from the Neddies Choir, Gainey being the conductor and  waving his wand whenever the opportunity presented. It was then an early return to the Bounty Hotel for the obligatory Friday night Pool Party which took the drinking to new extreme levels with a record breaking 22 Tequila shots in succession being downed by one of the many foolish party goers. The Neddies boys in the good tradition as professional team players held back out of respect for the pending Rugby the following morning. Unfortunately the will power of all could not last and by the early hours of the morning all good professional intentions had gone out the window with deep diving into shallow pools taken up as a new Neddies sport resulting in doctors stitching up Timmy B’s head in the early hours of the morning much to the displeasure of Dad.

Saturday morning was a sad and somewhat slow start for most due to the physical exertion of the Friday night training session but we managed to get every one on the bus in full Neddies tour uniform which was a credit to the club and thanks to Muz again for his efforts and sponsorship along with many others to mention but a few (Bruce, Marty and Rex). It felt good to be part of the family traditions of Neddies and stand tall with the boys. Neddies arrival at Canggu Country Club where the Rugby Tournament was being held made an impressive  entrance fully kitted out for a formal dinner in our Rugby Tuxedos much to the delight of the crowd. Unfortunately our first game just happened to be against the Final Cup Winners Wanderers from Malaysia who were made up of virtually all Fijian 7’s players who were awesome and with no alcohol racing through their veins outplayed the Neddies 7 to 34. Despite a brave come back in the second half and a very well structured try to Joey under the posts it had slipped away from us. It was all to much to cope with the Heat, Humidity and Hangovers. As a Professional team with what has become an awesome record playing the Asian circuit it was no disgrace. At this point it looked like it was all over and there was brief talk of capitulation until the realisation dawned that we were Neddies and we stick to the Moto “Neddies Never Give Up. Recharges with lots of water and some sleep under the palm trees we took on our next opponents “Cobra Tune” which were a Mixed Malaysian team who were a very slick team but crumpled under the Neddies power up front and lack of ball control, it was a narrow win for the boys but hard fought and well deserved.  Neddies move on with distant memories of the preceding game which had taken place hours before and the fire in our belly dwindling we took on our next opponents the British Army Gurkur’s the “Brunei Flying Kukri’s” who in typical British army style were very organised and defended with resilience even though lacking in 7’s flair they narrowly defeated a tired and flagging Neddies team who were now past our bed time. We had them under the cosh in the early stages to the point that they even resorted to taking a penalty kick in front of the posts which solicited boos from around the ground. At the end of the day I think we were beaten by Bintang which proved to be our downfall. The windup at Canggu was late and then the bus ride back to town for a late night feed in Poppy Lane before a night cap in the pool and bed for all with greater expectations for the rugby on Sunday.

Sunday with the batteries recharged and alcohol flushed from the system it was a new start with much more energy and enthusiasm. We were up early with our first game scheduled for 9:30 against “Cobra Tune” who we had to play again for some strange reason. We put up a far better performance and beat then comfortably to show our hidden talents with a fast and wide expansive game. This game was the decider for Neddies and determined our progression into the Bowl competition. With a good win under our belt and belief in each other it was decided to go all the way. The next game proved to be tough against the “Timor L’este” which was made up of predominantly expatriate players who showed lots of fair and the game went either way with the score drawn at 12 all when Neddies made a break by Pauly down the touch line with a good offload to Chopper to score in the corner to finally seal the win on the final whistle 17 to 12, had it remained a draw Neddies would have been out on the try differential. So with Neddies in the Bowl Final the spirits soared and the atmosphere around the ground was electrifying as the tensions soared with allegiances forming between the most unlikely clubs and supporters showing their colours. Our final 15 minutes of glory came in a flash with Neddies giving the best display or our tournament against what was a good side from Jakarta called the “Kamodo’s”. Neddies never allowed them to get going strangling every attempt they made and capitalising on all the opposition errors, the boys put on a fine display of true running rugby scoring repeatedly out wide and putting our fast runners into holes. Joey put Pauly into a beautifully set up hole and with Pauly changing angle to accelerate out and cross the line for the first try which he converted in front of the posts. The next try came again from Pauly after distribution out wide to score in the corner only for it to be disallowed due to a minor knock on missed by the ref but brought up by the Linesman. Half time score 7  to Nil  in Neddies favour. The second half was more of the same with Tony asking the lads to step up the running game and attack out wide which was the winning strategy. Pauly was lucky enough to be again in the right place to receive a perfectly weighted ball into a gap to secure the game and convert to finish at 14 to Nil. Congratulations Neddies finally have won a Final and broken the drought for 2009. Lots more to come for next season.

It was a great tour and Neddies did the club proud by presenting a united team spirit and displaying some fine rugby skills supplemented by all the superb training drills supported mainly by the fine local beverage of Bintang and lots of sleep deprivation. I think that maybe we have struck on a winning formula that should be extended out to the club coaching staff for next season. I would like send out a word of caution to all those thinking of touring with the Inaugural Bali 10’s Touring Team of 2009  next year, the selection committee will be setting very high standards so get into pre-season training now if you have any desire to be there next year. With the standards now set the booking is open for only the very best Neddies has to offer. For selection criteria please consult with the Professional Team Selection Committee Bali 2010. Next year this event is guaranteed to be over subscribed so start saving now. A big thank you must go out to those non Neddies players who joined us for the event Richie, Noddy and Hoggy, I am sure you will be joining us for next season at the foreshore and we look forward to seeing you all there and of course at the next Bali 10’s.

Well done lads it was a pleasure to be part of the experience.  It was a very well organised tour and all thanks must go the Kevin for all the hard work he put in to make it all happen. See you all again next year at the club house and in Bali 2010.