Rugby Report

The Scots College (Scots) | 15 June

We have fought the rain well this year, but last Saturday, it got the better of the Northbridge fields, and unfortunately, many morning games had to be cancelled. The theme of the day would, therefore, be quality, not quantity!

Of eight games played against Scots last weekend, Shore won 6, Drew 1 and Lost 1. The U14s had a good day, with all four teams defeating Scots. The 16A’s had an old-fashioned 0-0 draw in a tough match, and the Seconds were unlucky to have some late decisions go against them and go down to Scots. The First XV had a good 22-17 victory.

The Third XV had a strong victory over St Joseph’s College (Joeys) in their Round 2 clash of that Competition.

And the 15B’s just went down to Joeys, and the 15C’s had a good win over Waverley.

Competition Rounds

The Third XV was the first game on A Ground at 11am. After the removal of the cricket wicket covers and a good hour of super-sopper work to remove water from the field, the scene was set. From the very beginning of this match, the Third XV played with great purpose, and there was a lot of intent in all of the things the team did. This rattled Joeys. The Opens group often talks about being “urgent before being desperate”,… a good message for all our teams…and this was on display in the first-half. A well worked forwards try to Rory Hall was a fair result in the first-half. Jack Horwood continued to kick well, and his conversions and penalty goals made the difference. Joeys were about to mount a strong comeback at the end of the game, but this was not enough to change the result. Shore 13, Joeys 5.

The Second XV faced an undefeated Scots side and once again started well, with Charlie Galligan stealing close to a thousand lineouts. The Shore scrum was dominant, pushing Scots back and earning several scrum penalties. Pressure from a lovely 50-22 from Alex Segeart turned into points in the first-half through a penalty goal to go 3-0 up at half-time. The second-half started well too for Shore until a line-ball yellow card was given against the home side…and then another unlucky yellow card was given against Shore in a mitigating tackle instance, and the momentum started to shift to Scots. With two men down, Shore fought valiantly but could not hold out. It was an unfortunate end to a game that Shore was on top of until some late decisions went against us. The Second XV played a great game and if they take that intensity into this weekend, we know they will bounce back well.

The First XV then took the field in what was a crucial match for both sides in the Competition. Again, Shore started well and looked fast and hungry. A well worked lineout try with Ethan Hamilton handing on to Marshall le Maitre saw Shore score first points. Another try scored by James Warner after some good forward play put Shore up 12-0. Scots fought back and the game went back and forth until the close of the first-half, where Scots scored a good try through a clever chip kick, and it was 12-5 at half-time.

Shore started the second-half well again, and James Warner scored his second try to take the score to 17-5. However, Scots lifted a gear and crashed over for their second to make it 17-10. Two minutes later, through some fast play out wide, Scots were in again, under the posts this time, and it was 17-17. The next few minutes were key moments in the game…this is what happened last year when Scots visited Northbridge and scored on the bell to win…would it happen again? Shore worked its way back into Scots territory, and pressure eventually turned into a great try finished well by Hugh Breakwell and set up by Henry Conick and Jai Callaghan. 22-17. However, with 11 minutes left, this was not a comfortable lead. Those final minutes played out in lots of heart-in-the-mouth moments, and the big Scots forwards kept coming. A navy wall met them though, and Shore were able to close out a hard-fought victory with courageous defence and patient play.

With the weather looking better this week, it should be a HUGE day at Northbridge as we take on Riverview. This will be an important game for all our Competition sides, given how competitive the GPS Rugby season has been thus far across all grades.

Go Shore!

Mr D Mason-Jones
MIC Rugby

Results – 15 June 2014

Team	Opponent	Result	Shore	Scots
First XV	TSC	W	22	17
Second XV	TSC	L	3	15
Third XV	SJC	W	13	5
16A	TSC A	D	0	0
15A	TSC A	W	19	10
15B	SJC B	L	0	12
15C	WC C	W	26	17
14A	TSC A	W	7	5
14B	TSC B	W	19	14
14C	TSC C	W	12	10
14D	TSC D	W	21	17

Individual Team of the Week: 14As

Team of the Week | Saturday 1 June

Forwards	Backs
Henry Crookes (14A) Henry Baxter (15A) James Cunningham (15C) Rory Hall (Thirds) Charlie Galligan (Seconds) Lawson Wood (14A) Rory Cope (Thirds) Bede Clout (Seconds)	Noah Quayle (16A) Rex Bassingthwaighte (Firsts) Charlie Francis (Firsts) Sam Bassingthwaighte (15A) Will Powell (16A) Micah Minchin (15C) Jack Horwood (3rds)

Coach: Mr David Mason-Jones – The most passionate man in Shore rugby was spotted rolling A ground with a super soaker pre games to remove water, then sweeping the sheds in the changeroom post games at 6pm. Great example for the boys.