Cranbrook kept on track for an unbeaten season; Knox had a big win over Trinity with hooker James Widders-Leece scoring four tries in the process.
And Aloys put on a top performance against Barker.
Aloys v Barker
by “Rugby Addict”
It was a cold and windy day for the St Aloysius versus Barker clash at College Oval, Willoughby.
St Aloysius were near full strength whereas Barker were missing CAS I’s halfback Steve Kirkby, which was a big out for Barker.
First half
Aloys won the toss and chose to run with an estimated fourteen-point breeze at their backs.
They immediately went on the attack and went ahead via a penalty goal to lead 3-0.
Aloys continued to have most of the possession and territory for the next 15 minutes but were unable to breach the strong Barker defence. They declined an easy shot at penalty attempting to score a try, but went unrewarded.
Barker was able to get into the game on the back of their strong defence and an ascendant scrum. They won two tight heads and their forwards took over with a succession of pick and drives, concluding with a try to 3 Brandon Fernandes.
Barker would have been happy at half time to lead 7-3 and looked forward to with a strong wind being at their backs in the second half.
Aloys would have been disappointed that their pressure had not led to further points—the second half would be a mighty struggle for them.
Second half
Aloys started the second half as they had the first by immediately going on the attack.
In the fourth minute Aloys 10 James Dainton took the line on and popped a ball to Rory Vevers, who raced 30 metres untouched to score in the corner. Dainton converted into the teeth of the breeze and Aloys led 10-7.
It was now Barker’s turn to attack but Aloys were tacking with the same intensity that Barker had showed in the first half, and the next 15 minutes was a tense battle between two evenly matched sides.
You got the feeling that all the tackling Barker did in the first half had taken some energy from their attack.
Aloys escaped their own red zone with some powerful hitups by the forwards, particularly Nick Cramp and Nick Slaven plus some excellent kicking by flyhalf James Dainton.
At the twenty minute mark Aloys spilt the ball with five unmarked support players waiting for it and the line five metres away.
Fortunately for Aloys they were not made to pay for this. In a well-worked scrum move 8 Nick Cramp passed to 9 Matt Hayes who put 15 Tom Dunlop over for a converted try.
The lead was now 17-7 with 15 minutes to play.
Everyone was tiring and Barker 10 David Smerdon was taking on the line and looking dangerous.
But Aloys were able to repel everything Barker threw at them and the final score remained at 17-7 to Aloys.
The players
I think the after-match awards were pretty accurate with 10 James Dainton being the best player for Aloys and 6 Nick Burkett being Barker’s best.
Others players to shine for Aloys were Nick Slaven, Nick Cramp, Rory Vevers and Sam Lawson but everyone played very well.
For Barker Hamish Phipps, David Smerdon and Sean Campbell all played well.
The scoring
St. Aloysius 17 (R. Vevers, T. Dunlop tries; J. Dainton 2 cons, pen) def. Barker 7 (B. Fernandes try; D. Smerdon con)
Other results
2nd XV — Barker 46 – Aloys -7.
16 As — Aloys 20 – Barker 10
See next page for report on Knox v Trinity
