2015-03-09Staff Report 2 LüDERITZ - The much-anticipated rugby match between Southern Stream first division campaigners Ocean Swallows and the visiting Mariental rugby club was called off on Saturday after the hosts failed to pitch up. To the chagrin of expectant spectators, Mariental were ready for action only for the match to be abandoned after a wait of more than 20 minutes, with the hosts nowhere to be found. The visitors were thus the recipients of various points at the expense of their no-show opponents – six log points and 40 match points. It seems the main problem was the service of a standby ambulance, which apparently could not be secured. According to Quinton Andrew, skipper of Ocean Swallows, the club had asked the Lüderitz State Hospital on Monday to organize an ambulance for the Saturday game but their humble request appeared to have fallen on deaf ears. A furious Andrew said the ambulance was not released even though the driver was available. To add salt to the wound, there was no staff nurse available to accompany the required ambulance, which was probably why the ambulance could not be sent. The consequences were that the hosts did not pitch up, which could be construed as shortsighted. Ocean Swallows travel to Rosh Pinah for a clash against the hosts next weekend. 2015-03-09Staff Report 2
