Centenary Cup Retained
The First XV Defend The Bridge
F. A. Loxton
EVER SINCE LAST YEAR’S SHORE VS RIVERVIEW FIRST XV CLASH, WHICH BROKE A SIX-YEAR DROUGHT OF WINNING A GPS MATCH, THIS YEAR’S FIRST XV GAME AGAINST RIVERVIEW WAS HIGHLY ANTICIPATED. Shore was as hungry as ever to get the win once again. With the fixture set to be played at Northbridge, a ground on which Shore are undefeated this year, with much support from the Blue and White Army, the match was set to be a memorable one, with 25 minutes proving to be just enough time to make it from School to the Hawker stand before kickoff at 3:15pm.
A true army of Shore boys showed up to support the First XV, fiercely outnumbering Riverview, whose school day did not finish until 3:30pm. Backed by what was most probably the loudest crowd in years, Shore started strongly, scoring and converting an early try from a brilliant dummy from Hugo Orpin. It was clear from the outset that the boys were fired up, fueled by their loss the previous week and inspired by the gripping atmosphere.
However, Riverview were determined, showcasing a brilliant backline that was dominant early, led by Captain Liam Grover. With the forwards contest looking to be evenly matched, Riverview looked to attack through their five-eight, Joe Dillon’s high ball, proving a huge challenge in the wet conditions. Hugo Orpin was equally matched to the challenge, managing field position well, limiting Riverview’s chances to utilise the speed of their outside backs.
Strong maul defence saw Riverview miss a chance at a rolling maul try, before Shore struck again off the back of a 50-22 from flyhalf Ben Whatley. James Warner was the try-scorer, who has proved himself as one of the leading try-scorers in the competition, with the First XV’s rolling maul continuing to challenge the best defences in the competition, and Hugo Orpin converted once again. By this point, the First XV looked to have silenced the strong Riverview outfit, and the Blue and White Army could not be happier about it.
However, as all great sides do, momentum swung as quick as a blink, as Riverview scored quickly off a rolling maul and once again just before half-time, through a 60 metre run from Liam Grover. This made the half-time score 14-10, with Riverview failing to convert two tries in the corner.
The opening 20 minutes of the second-half were a back-and-forward battle, with neither team giving in, before Liam Grover received a cunning offload from Joe Dillon, providing Riverview with their first lead of the match. What followed was territory conceded by Riverview, and shortly after a missed penalty goal, Henry Connick scored in the corner to steal back the lead.
Another lead change saw winger Tom Hartman score in the corner for Riverview, off an overlap, as they looked to steal the game. Yet in the game’s dying moments, Marshall Le Maitre crashed over in a pick and drive in front of the posts to see Shore take a six-point lead, much to the excitement of the Blue and White Army. And, despite Riverview’s efforts on Shore’s line in the final moments, a knock-on saw the First XV gain their first win of the season before the long weekend.
Ultimately, to say the match was suspenseful would be an understatement, and the men of the Shore First XV certainly do deserve much praise for their efforts. And, with an undefeated King’s side to be played at Northbridge tomorrow, it is encouraged that every boy gets out and joins the Blue and White Army in the Hawker Stand.