Rugby Report – Joeys
Last Saturday, Shore hosted Joeys in the Round Two clash for the First and Second XVs and the final trial for the Third XV. A focus of the week had been our new boys, and it was great to see the First XV train with Prep players in the week and then have a final Captain’s run on Friday. In the tunnel on Saturday, representatives from the Prep and 13As walked onto A Ground with the Firsts. Well done to the Blue and White Army for making a most magnificent tunnel.
Across the grounds, Joeys showed why they are such a fine Rugby school, with depth in almost all age groups. The Sevenths and Eigths did receive a cricket score……. but onward and upward tomorrow, gents and get that ball flowing again.
Some excellent matches were played, and vital wins were recorded. The 13Bs played their best rugby of the season thus far and had a good win by 30 points. The 13Cs were in the fight and narrowly missed out. And the 13As played a thrilling draw with Shore coming from behind and even up the ledger. Was this an omen?
The U14s had a tough day at Hunters Hill, and the U15s will rue some disciplinary lapses. When we play away, we must be prepared just to put our heads down and play what is in front of us.
The U16As had one of the day’s highlights – a narrow 12 to ten win over Joeys. The boys have been working well to this contest, and seeing the team execute their plans was excellent. With some boys returning from injury, the round against Scots should be a big one.
The Third XV will rue a lost opportunity last Saturday. At ten to ten, with 12 minutes to play, the team allowed Joeys to finish too strongly. It was a game that got away but not one to be disappointed about.
The Second XV then took the field and had a classic first half against Joeys. The rugby was tough and uncompromising, and at half time, whilst the score was zero to zero, I did feel Shore went into the break the better team. However, again, Joeys seemed to lift one gear and got three tries in the second half to take the win.
The First XV were next, and a beautiful Northbridge afternoon greeted the teams. A large crowd had gathered amid rumours that Hugo Orpin had finally cleaned his boots and liked the feel of them for kicking. What transpired was a wonderful game of schoolboy rugby. Played in good spirits and at a fast pace, Shore was first on the board with an Orpin try in the corner. He coolly slotted it from the sideline.
Joeys pressed and scored two tries. Both converted. Seven to 14.
Shore then re-pressed, and patient play saw James Warner cross for two excellent team tries. Orpin converted both from the sideline. Twenty-one to 14.
Joeys came back. Try in the corner. Converted. How good is this kicking from both boys? Twenty-one to 21 at half-time.
The second half became an arm wrestle, and both teams showed spirited attack and defence. Tom Klem was excellent all day and gave the go-forward out wide. However, Joeys struck again. Converted again. Twenty-one to 28.
Shore rallied, and a clever Orpin move from the back of the scrum led to a break and an offload into the waiting arms of Marshall Le Maitre. You guessed it. Converted from the sideline. Twenty-eight to 28.
The final stages of the match were frantic, and Shore pressed in the final minutes and seconds. A drop goal was attempted but charged down. Tim Bannister jumped on the loose ball and headed for the try line. Desperate, Joeys defence stopped him, and the game was called.
The game was a wonderful exhibition of rugby at its best. The Joeys and Shore goal-kickers were amazing, and I am not sure a schoolboy game has ever seen such consistent and difficult kicking. Well done, both players and both teams.
Shore aims to go one better tomorrow against Scots.
Team of the week – 16A and First XV
One tough win and one thrilling draw. Playing for each other and for every minute of the game.
Saturday 27 May vs Scots
Tomorrow sees a huge day out at Bellevue Hill – North meeting East.
Scots will be after revenge from last year and are one loss and one draw like Shore. All to play for!
Get there, Blue and White Army! The crowd helps the teams so much, come and support the boys.
Mr D Mason-Jones
MIC Rugby
