The first round of the 2015 Combined Associated Schools competition started yesterday with some heavy weather and ground conditions.
Knox v Barker
by “Elfster”
“Miserable” would be understating the the weather conditions in the of first round of the 2015 CAS competition.
At Wahroonga Knox hosted Barker amidst driving rain and a constant, strong breeze. It was also Gala Day at Knox and those festivities added some light and colour to the gloom. A good and spirited crowd had turned up and made for a decent atmosphere.
Knox were favourites not only for the game, but also for the CAS trophy. However being favourites on paper doesn’t necessarily carry across to reality and Barker are always worthy opponents. This was probably apparent in the 2nds, were the score was not in line with the competitive display Barker showed late in the second half.
The surface of Knox 1 looked good, but the conditions were appalling—at least for this spectator— and the amount of dropped ball and slipping indicated that conditions were just as bad for the players.
First Half
The first thing that was apparent was the size of the Knox forwards. There were some likely lads out there. It wasn’t as if Barker was small, just that some of the Knox side were big. However Barker started off unconcerned about their lack of size. They were determined, committed, smart and reckless. They tore into Knox as if they were the favourites. Their initial assault threw Knox off their game plan. The ferocity of Barker made Knox look lethargic.
For the first ten minutes it was all Barker. They had the majority of possession and territory and stifled the attack of Knox. The game was played mostly just in the Knox half and the impact of the bigger Knox players was negligible. Barker may be a limited side, but they played to their ability with enthusiasm. They were also handling the conditions better than Knox at this stage also.
Knox might have underestimated Barker, and overestimated their ability in the conditions as well. They were gifting Barker territory and possession, with Barker making good in-roads from intercepts or dropped Knox ball.
After about ten minutes a good break and great pace from the Barker 8 (Purcell) saw him score an individual try from about 35 metres out. The big Barker crowd was ecstatic and hopeful. The Knox subdued crowd thought that Knox would finally emerge from their slumber. That wasn’t to be the case. Playing with increased confidence Barker harassed Knox into further disarray and soon scored a good team try from a backline move that belied the conditions.
Halfway through the first half the score was Barker 10 – Knox 0. This score flattered Knox and but for poor kicking by Barker it could have been 17-0. The scoreline wasn’t expected but Barker earned it by playing with purpose and a precision that was bewildering the more favoured Knox side.
Knox weren’t playing poorly: they were just ineffectual. Their attack wasn’t working and their defence was disjointed. If Knox were to be title contenders things would need to change—and at 20 minutes they woke up.
Knox got a line-out and mauled it over from about 15 metres out. It was the first time Knox showed the strength of their forwards and it was impressive. Soon after that, a good break from no.8 Chapman, the captain, H Margin scored a try.
At the break the score was 14 – 10 to Knox, after a half of two quarters. It was still anyone’s game, but Knox had wrestled the initiative from Barker and were building in momentum.
Second Half
With the possibility of an upset, the second half promised much. If Barker could maintain their enthusiasm anything was possible. However the earlier hesitation and uncertainty of Knox was being replaced by a solid determination.
The conditions suited forwards in a game of attrition and Knox had them. They reduced their errors and their backs, noticeably Armstrong 13, started making ground. The Knox forwards were not only big, but also mobile and could combine with their backs. If a back made a break a forward would be there to finish off.
Within minutes the earlier first half score of 10 – 0 to Barker seemed a distant memory. Knox had come out to play and went on secure a victory that at one stage looked unlikely—and they did it with a margin that was cruel to Barker. Their combination and fitness was potent and Knox wore Barker down with their bigger and more mobile players. They Barker boys became tired and you could see they were infringing to help stop the flow, and they penalties to Knox came.
In the end it was a good victory to Knox, though one not totally unexpected.
Final score: Knox 48 – Barker 10
The teams
Barker was enthusiastic and initially played some smart Rugby to thwart their more favoured opponents. Their scrum was surprisingly good and matched that of Knox. They handled the conditions better than Knox and I think they will be competitive in this competition.
They probably lack one or two players that would give them that something extra, but they seem a well-balanced side. I think depth may be an issue. They were either quick off the mark or offside in defence, but they showed a willingness to take their chances there. They got worn down and were eventually overwhelmed by Knox, but they won’t be the only team to experience that in this competition.
Knox were surprisingly slow and lethargic to begin with. However it was impressive in the way they came back from being down in such an emphatic manner. It is obvious that they are well drilled and they way forwards and backs combine is a pleasure to watch.
They may over-complicate things at time, but those issues may have been due to the conditions. There is still some improvement in this side and from the games I have seen they are improving.
The Players
Barker has recently had some good half-back and 5/8 combinations and L Bluett #9 and B Thompson #10 continue that tradition. Their front row was to be commended – they caused the Knox scrum a few issues. Purcell # 8 was busy and effective.
Knox were well served by their back row Basson (3 tries), Chapman and Swinton. Chapman showed good skills and pace on a few times. Their centres were effective: Williams was hard to put down and elusive and Armstrong could make breaks at will. In the conditions, Stenning’s goal kicking was excellent
Scoring
Knox 48 ( M Basson 3, H Margin , H Chapman, J Williams, L Bosch tries; D Stenning 5 cons,, pen ) def. Barker 10 (S Purcell, H Barry tries)
