Queensland II 19 — Combined States 17
by “Hugh Jarse”
The wind from the south-west had stiffened by the time the two teams ran on to the main oval under sunny clear skies.
The Queensland team looked resplendent in their red and while hooped jumpers, until you tried to decipher the rather small numbers on the back of their jumpers. They were fairly hard to read, but they were better than the Combined States jumper numbers. About half of the numbers fell off soon after the game started.
First half
Queensland II (Qld II) kicked off into the stiff breeze and from the initial exchanges they were awarded a penalty in a handy position to the left of the posts in a kickable condition (on a normal day). 9. Eli Pilz struck the ball well but it hit the upright and remained in play.
Both teams looked a little nervous and rusty, which is not unusual for hastily assembled teams on day one of a tournament. After some sustained pressure from Qld II, some slick passing from the Qld II backs lead to a line break from 13. Jim Henjak who drew the defence wide leaving a yawning gap for 10. Liam McNamara to scoot through and go over the chalk line to open the scoring for the Qld II team. 9. Pilz converted just missing the post to take the score to 7 – 0 after 10 minutes.
Five minutes later, 20. Matt Feauai-Sautia grasped a long lineout throw and set the CS backs in motion resulting in 15. Kirt Anthony opening the account for the CS team. In the swirling windy conditions, Anthony managed to convert his own try with a cracking kick which just snuck over the crossbar. The game was tied up 7 apiece.
This jolted Qld II into action and they started to dominate field position for an extended period leading up to oranges. 8. Agassi Stowers crossed the line after 22 minutes, but the CS defence somehow managed to hold him up. After even more sustained pressure right in the shade of half time, 3. James McColl tunneled through a pile of defenders to get a typical forwards try. 9. Pilz added the extras to take the teams to oranges at 14 – 7 in Qld II’s favour.
Second half
More of the same: after 5 minutes 9. Pilz hit the posts again with an unsuccessful penalty attempt.
This led to an intense arm wrestle between the two teams with neither making much headway until some great work off the back of a scrum close to the line from CS 8. Lealaiauloco-Tui, and 2. James Wilkinson led to 7. Martin Koortz dotting down next to the posts for CS. With the conversion Anthony tied the game up again 14-all with nine minutes remaining.
Two minutes later Qld II were penalised at the breakdown and 15. Anthony carefully bisected the posts with his kick for the CS to take the lead 17 – 14 with five minutes left.
Despite fluffing the restart, Qld II managed to gain turnover ball, which was sent wide for 15. Geoffrey Robertson to score. 10. McNamara was unable to convert but with time nearly up Qld II were back in front 19 – 17. There were two minutes left. Spectators and players on both sides were getting nervous.
The final minutes of the match saw CS hot on attack, twice going very close to getting the match-winning try, and only desperate defence from the Queenslanders held them out in the final seconds. There was relief from the Queenslanders and their supporters when the referee blew time.
The players
Players who took my eye were:
Queensland II
10. McNamara, 9. Pilz, 8. Stowers, 7 Van Den Berg, 13 Henjak
Combined States
15. Anthony, 12 Yeomans 1. Ivec, 7. Koortz
The Wrap up
Queensland II will be relieved to have escaped with the victory, and will relish the chance to blow out some cobwebs.
Combined States will rue the opportunities they missed but should gain great confidence from the knowledge that they can foot it with the big guns. Set piece from both teams will need some work in the next game, although the strong wind made lineout work difficult.
Expect to see marked improvements from both teams on Wednesday. Match fitness seemed a little lacking from some.
The scoring
Qld II 19 (L.McNamara, J.McColl, G.Robertson tries; E.Pilz 2 cons) def. Combined States 17 (M.Koortz try, K.Anthony try, 2 cons. pen)
See next page for another match report
