Nothing beats debut win: Sharpe
The first win of the season was a terrific reward for a lot of hard work by all at the Force, not just the players but those off the field.
Well done and thanks. We will be home soon to share the enthusiasm the tour has generated within the team.
Once you have played a few games of Super rugby it can be lost on just how exciting it is when you reach your dream of running on to the field in your debut.
Those watching on the weekend would not have missed Pat Dellit's smile from the second he was told he was going on until well after the final whistle.
Pat is in his first year of professional rugby and loving every second of it. He has shown huge promise.
As we were trying to close the game out, slowing the play and stifling the Lions to prevent them getting a bonus point, Pat wanted as much action as possible.
Curb the intensity Pat, you will get plenty of opportunity to have a crack as your career goes on.
Along with Matt Brandon, who has excelled as a late call-up to the squad, I felt privileged knowing those boys would never forget their debut and that I was lucky enough to be part of it.
My debut for the Reds in 1999 came at a time when I thought I had flowing locks of hair. It was my 21st birthday.
Alas, as I was getting ready for my party on the Sunday afternoon, the day after we had beaten the Hurricanes 11-0, my best friend pointed out that my comb-over just wasn't cutting it anymore.
Needless to say that hairstyle didn't last much longer and most who know me now can't remember my hair colour, let alone a time when I had some.
The game against the Lions was not the prettiest of the year, but what it did show was a great resolve among the team.
The Lions have taken everyone they have played this year down to the wire and we are the only team who has managed to keep them try-less.
Good signs, but this weekend against the Stormers presents a sterner test.
The scrappy 20 minutes we put together midway through the game won't cut it at Newlands on Saturday.
The Stormers' incredible record of having the best defence and worst attack, by way of least amount of tries, must be a pointer as to where the game is headed.
Pressure and accumulating points in the opposition territory have become par for the course this year, so we know which end of the field we must play this week.
The tour, although short, has been great for the team to spend some time together.
The enthusiasm is great, we just need greater execution this week to knock the Stormers over as we did at home last year.
David Hill's drop kick sticks in my mind. I might just have a chat to James O'Connor this week about keeping a drop kick up his sleeve again this year.
