Rugby Report

Saturday 1 June | Newington

Shore’s Indigenous Round was held last Saturday to mark the end of National Reconciliation Week. All teams wore wonderful white socks with a pattern designed by the boys of Shore. Thank you to Jack H for designing the jersey for the First, Second and Third XV teams to wear – the best we have seen.

Weather-wise, it was a tale of two days. A Ground was perfect in the morning for the first game of the day – the 16A’s had a dry, firm surface and came away with a 12-5 win. By the afternoon, the heavens unleashed, and the Northbridge fields were turned into pools. I have now heard something new – “Swim Shore, Swim” as a war cry at a Rugby game!

Our Third XV opened their competition with a win against the TAS First XV. Played in pouring rain, this set the tone for the final matches where teams making fewer errors would be victorious. The team had come in well prepared for the start of their competition, having played several First XV teams from other schools. A final result of 17-0 to Shore was a good start for Round 1.

The Second XV had a tight 11-11 draw with Newington and were unlucky not to get the win – with Newington kicking a penalty on the bell to secure the draw. The First XV came out with Newington through a smoking ceremony and started in excellent style. The team went up 13-0 thanks to two Henry Conick penalty goals and a converted try scored by Henry. Newington came back though, and Shore went into half time with a lead 20-10 lead. The second half saw the Newington forward pick-and-go effectively and force pressure on the Shore try line. Newington were able to cross and gain the lead…and hold it. Shore went down 26-31 in some of the worst weather conditions seen in decades.

Around the grounds in our Junior teams, it was an excellent day. All A teams were victorious against Newington – here are the match reports.

13A Report

The 13’s continued their success in the wet against Newington on Saturday. In the harshest conditions to date, Shore’s offence was driven heavily through our forward pack and the game was played through tighter channels with short and sharp passes. The pressure from Shore was consistent from start to finish, dominating possession and field positioning for most of the game. Phases were put together well, earning penalties and opportunities to strike within the Newington 22. This was where our hard running forwards, directed by Jackson Sprott, were able to do the most damage. 

Harry Klineberg led from the front, scoring multiple tries on his birthday, following some strong carries and well performed rolling mauls. Sam Diddams was able to convert well, considering the slippery surface below him, which gave Shore a more comfortable lead. Overall, it was a great performance from the 13A’s. 

14A Report

The 14A’s this week had a comprehensive victory over Newington, although the result masked some deficiencies that need attention moving forward. Shore was magnificent in its structures and execution for the first 75% of the game, shooting out to a 33-0 lead. They played a dominant, aggressive and calculated game, with five tries the result of outstanding rugby. Thereafter, Shore strayed from its strengths and game plan, playing one-out rugby and high-risk play, allowing Newington to take advantage of the turnover ball to score three tries. The 43-19, seven-try result was very pleasing but offered us some food for thought on closing out games when momentum is at our backs.

15A Report

The 15A’s kicked off just as the rain set in and dominated early possession and territory thanks to aggressive defence and an astute kicking game.  A Cooper Glanville penalty seemed like it would be scant reward for this early superiority before Chris Suaalii crashed over after a series of pick-and-goes to put Shore up 8-0, with Glanville’s conversation on target but slipping just under the crossbar. Newington mounted a late fightback late in the half, scoring once and coming close on a number of occasions, but resolute Shore defence kept them out on the bell and saw the good guys enter half-time with a 3 point lead.

With the rain now getting heavier, Shore came out with the intention of playing a tight game and forcing Newington to play from their own half.  More strong work through the forwards, epitomised by Captain Henry Baxter, saw Shore claim a second penalty goal, with Newington regularly forced into infringements to stop Shore’s momentum.  With time winding down and Newington still trapped in their own half, a rare break in the rain led to an opportunity in the backs, with a powerful carry by Sam Bassingthwaighte leading to a pinpoint finish in the right corner by Dylan Baxter, who did well to pounce on his one opportunity in a game where the wingers often didn’t have much to do.  Final score: Shore 16 – Newington 5.

16A Report

The 16A’s were the first game on A Ground, and they were determined to set a positive tone for Shore’s Indigenous Round. Having been in Darwin last holidays with a group called Deadly Rugby, the boys were treated to a team Didgeridoo performance from Mr Josh Toomey in the change-rooms before the game which gave goosebumps. Up against a strong Newington team, Shore absorbed some early pressure, but Newington was first in with a try to take a 5-0 lead. From this moment though, Shore lifted a gear and defended extremely well. Tully Robertson was strong in the middle, Harry Murdoch-Tilmouth was making metres through the forwards, and Liam Sidwell was ruling the lineout skies. 

Shore began to dominate the second half and applied sustained pressure, and Joel Hamilford once again produced his signature in-and-away to get into the corner. Shortly after, Harry Murdoch-Tilmouth followed up some strong forward play to crash over the line. Luke MacLennan then converted to push Shore ahead 12- 5. That would remain the end score and the 16A’s continue their strong and disciplined start to the season.

Go Shore!

Mr D Mason-Jones
MIC Rugby

Results

Team		Result	Shore	Newington
First XV	NC 1	L	26	31
Second XV	NC 2	D	11	11
Third XV	TAS 1	W	17	0
Fourth XV	NC 3	L	7	19
Fifth XV	NC 4	W	25	8
Sixth XV	NC 5	W	17	14
Seventh XV	TAS 2	L	10	34
Eighth XV	NC 6	L	10	37
16A	NC A	W	12	5
16B	TAS A	L	20	22
16C	NC B	W	17	10
16D	NC C	W	34	14
16E	NC D	W	24	10
15A	NC A	W	13	5
15B	TAS A	W	24	19
15C	NC B	W	21	15
15D	NC C	W	22	15
15E	NC D	W	26	12
14A	NC A	W	43	21
14B	TAS A	W	82	0
14C	NC B	L	10	24
14D	NC C	W	24	20
14E	NC D	D	31	31
13A	NC A	W	47	12
13B	TAS A	W	41	0
13C	NC B	W	24	17
13D	NC C	W	64	7
13E	NC D	W	38	22

Individual Team of the Week: Third XV

Team of the Week | Saturday 1 June

Forwards	Backs
Harry Klineburg (13A)	Geordie Wills (15C)
Daniel Bishop (13B)	Gus Manchee (Fourths)
Tom Green (16A)	Saxon Joyce (13E)
Bede Clout (Seconds)	Henry Conick (Firsts)
Ethan Foxcroft (16D)	Sam Bassingthwaighte (15A)
Kian Austin (15D)	Phoenix Thompson (16C)
Sam Kierse (14A)	Oscar D’Almeida (Thirds)
Xavier Simmonds (14B)	Coach: Harry Guest (16D) Tom Hawkins (13E)