The British Police faced Fiji in their final pool game at Stockland Park, Kawana. Although progression into the final of the World Cup was a mathematical possibility the British side faced an impossible task. The surprise team of the tournament have been Fiji. After losing to New Zealand by the smallest of margins, Fiji have been dispatching teams with the greatest of ease. The British squad again had to make changes to the playing squad through injury. It was hoped Michael Kearns would make a speedy recovery from his hip injury, however this looked to be taking longer than predicted, so Darrell Rotherham came into the squad. The Fijians combine great physical presence, both in attack and defence, with the confidence and skill to continually off load the ball. The British side were happy to see typical British weather as it poured down before the game, hoping it might dampen the Fijian flare.
 
The Fijians kicked off the game and an error by the British side meant the ball wasn't fielded giving the attacking scrum straight to the opposition. Fiji made their intentions clear early on, using the large men Jim Patrick and Neori Buli to batter forward drawing in several British tacklers to drag them down. Good British defence kept them out and they worked the ball out well. Jamie Brentley making a good break with dancing feet winning a Fijian penalty. Fiji were looking dangerous when they had the ball, making several half breaks and jinking runs. The British were coping well but the trouble was Fiji looked dangerous from any field position. The Fijians broke from deep within their half ,Jock Luita with an arching run wriggling through several tackles to score under the posts: 6-0. Once Fiji had breached the British lines, they did so twice more in quick succession. A missed tackle in the midfield and Tikiko Uluiviti crossed the line. Immediately followed by another, a powerful run and off load to big Jim Patrick who crashed over the line taking Phillip Green with him as he did so. 18-0. A nice run from Kieron Maddocks linking in with Philip Green, who chipped ahead, put the British Police in a good field position. The Fijians tried to slow the play of the ball to get their numbers back on side. This was seen by the referee who penalised the Fijians and the British punished the mistake. A clever grubber kick by Adam Newton was dived upon by Darrell Rotherham for the first British score of the day: 18-4. This try seemingly rejuvenated the British Police who had possibly their best period of play. A good drive by Nicholas Smart combined nicely with a powerful run on a good angle by Philip Green. The following chip kick by Jamie Brentley forced wide and the Fijian catcher was dragged over the touch line. The British squandered a scoring opportunity out wide as the slippy ball was knocked on. The half time hooter sounded the score remaining 18-4.
 
The Fijians came out from the half time break firing on all cylinders. A quick tap penalty, by the danger man, Jock Luita who somehow managed to wriggle his way out of several British tacklers, making good yards. Then Jim Patrick drew in too many defenders and threw a deft pass to Onisuko Veidreyaki who scored. 22-4: This was followed by another Fijian score as they began to show their good balls skill in the wet. They moved the ball down the line well making use of an overlap and Penai Vakaruru crossed the line 26-4. The British Police kept on pushing, a quick tap penalty by Adam Newton released Matt Dunn who was held up over the line. A promising field position was given away cheaply as a long pass by Adam Newton was intercepted, the following break by Saiyasi Nikola released Tikiko Uluiviti who lost the ball forward as he set himself up for a showboating dive. Some good defence by Darrell Rotherham and Thomas Dyson was not sufficient to stop the rampaging Fijians. Jock Luita again making a break, this time from dummy half releasing Jonacani Erenauanua: 30-4. The tackling continued, Jamie Dixon winning a knock on and Richard Whitehouse with a try saving tackle. The pressure was too much for the British side as Saiyasi Nikola squeezed over for a try: 38-4. In the next attack by the Fijians Adam Fogerty managed to re-gather the chip kick and break the defensive line. He looked for support which arrived in the form of Matt Dunn, who pinned his ears back showing good pace to out run the defenders. Finishing the game on a positive note for the British Police: Final score 38-8.
 
The British side will now face the Australians in the third place play off. It will be a true test for the British Police. Beating the Australians in their own back yard, with the typically partisan crowd is no easy task. The Australians will be going into the game as favorites but the British will be keen to put the record straight.
 
The next game for the British Police is third place play off against the Australians. Friday 14th November at 7.30pm at Stockland Park, Kawana.
 
British Police
1 Chris Cowling, 2 Matt Dunn, 3 Philip Green, 4 Chris Sheffield, 5 Jamie Brentley, 6 Adam Newton, 7 Kieron Maddocks, 8 Stuart Meeks, 9 Thomas Dyson, 10 Rasheed Alawiye, 11 Darrell Rotherham, 12 Adam Fogarty, 13 Daniel Atherton, 14 Nicholas Smart, 15 Mark Elvidge, 16 Richard Whitehouse, 17 Jamie Dixon.
 

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