Cranbrook v. Aloys
by “Rugby Addict”
It was a magnificent day at Cranbrook’s home ground, Hordern, for the final round game between Cranbrook and St Aloysius. Cranbrook were looking to secure their first Henry Plume Shield since 1994 and Aloys were looking to spoil their party.
Unfortunately Aloys captain Rory Vevers did not recover from injury when forced to leave the field last week at half time against Waverley and this left a significant hole for Aloys to fill.
First half
Aloys kicked off and did most of the attacking for the first ten minutes and declined to take a few penalty shots in search of tries which they nearly achieved when Sam Lawson had the ball dislodged from his grasp as he was about to score.
Cranbrook absorbed this early pressure and gradually gained some ascendancy largely due to the bullocking runs of Nick Makas. At the 15 minute mark quick hands to winger Stuart Guihot set him on a 30 metre run to the try line which was converted by Sam Renton and Cranbrook led 7-0.
The next 15 minutes was very tight with both halfbacks Roy Harrison and Matt Hayes gaining significant territory with well judged box kicks. Finally Sam Renton ran at a tired Aloys forward who missed him and Cranbrook led 14-0.
James Dainton missed an easy penalty goal for Aloys right on half time and the Plume Shield seemed to be in touching distance for the home side.
Second half
Under 16’s lads Matt Dainton and Pete Slaven replaced injured players to make their 1st XV debuts in the centres.
Eight minutes into the second half James Dainton put Tom Comerford through with an inside ball who then transferred to Nick Slaven who raced away to bring the score back to 14-5 but once again a kick was missed.
Aloys were looking dangerous in the backs and at the 25 minute mark Matt Dainton beat his opposite man on the outside and sent Pete Slaven racing into the clear. Slaven dummied past the fullback and raced around under the posts. The conversion from Matt Dainton made the scores 14-12 to Cranbrook with ten minutes to go.
Then Cranbrook showed why they deserved to be premiers: first with a forwards’ try to Tom Hill on the back of numerous pick and drives—and then when Zac Edelstein beat four feeble tackles to seal the win 24-12.
For Cranbrook their forwards all played very well as a unit with their set pieces particularly strong. Tom Hill and Nick Makas were standouts but they all played well as you would expect from a team where 10 players started out together in Year 3.
For Aloys the second rowers Tom Nowlan and Will Halliday were strong all day and Max Hampton was also very strong in tight. Aloys have 13 boys that played in the firsts today back next year so things are looking up for them as well.
Congratulations to Cranbrook on winning nine out of ten games in this year’s CAS competition. They are deserved and popular winners of the Plume Shield.
Other results
Cranbrook won the Seconds 39-10.
Aloys won the 16A’s 15-14.
