The last round of a schools’ 1st XV competition is always bitter-sweet. They are glad that the hard grind is over but most of the boys will be playing with their best mates, and for their school, for the last time.
St. Aloysius wanted to end their year on a high and didn’t want the big improvers, Cranbrook, to take their scalp back to the south side of the bridge. Meantime two other southern teams, Trinity and Waverley, would continue their long-standing derby rivalry.
But the big interest in the Round 10 matches was whether Knox would finish the season unbeaten, facing Barker, their local protagonists, who would like nothing better than denying them the perfect season as they had a few years before.
Barker v Knox
by “Tahmen”
The fiercest rivalry in the CAS competition was well-attended from both teams with a big crowd urging both their teams on to victory. It was a very emotional game for both teams which could be seen from the get go not only in the intensity, but also in the mistakes.
First half
From the start pressure was high on both teams, with an early Barker kick going out on the full giving Knox the early upper hand. Then a knock-on led to a scrum which Knox won against the feed. After periods of unstructured play Williams (12) went on a bullocking run bashing his way through the Barker defence, then offloading for Chapman (7) to score. 7 – 0 to Knox.
A Knox knock-on from the kick off let Saar (12) do his stuff for Aloys and slice through the Knox backline, but he was felled short of the line by a brilliant tackle by loose head prop Connor Grindal.
The intensity and passion was incredible from both sides. Knox looked dangerous with long periods of backline play, but Barker’s defence was resolute. They held out forcing error after error from Knox with Pursell (8) doing some damage in tackles and around the ruck.
After what felt like ages of strong periods of play, Swinton (6) found himself in space and seemed a bit shocked having a look around before he galloped down the side, much to the crowd’s delight. 14 – 0 Knox.
Barker was making basic kicking errors, not finding touch or not going ten metres from restarts that were giving Knox momentum while Knox’s kicking always seemed to go the distance. Rowbotham (11) had some darting runs and looked dangerous with ball in hand but lacked the support to make anything out of his touches.
The pressure was building though and Barker were making inroads and eventually, through some great teamwork, Ward (5) managed to cross the chalk. 14 – 7 to Knox
This fired both teams up and suddenly the intensity was taken up a notch with Knox creeping forward to have Williams (12) finish off a good all-round try. 21 – 7 to Knox.
Barker showed true character as they kept on choosing to go for the lineout from penalties. They were in the driver’s seat for phase after phase but lacked the killer instinct to cross over the chalk and get some points on the board.
Half-time score 21-7
Second half
Knox was relentless however and straight from the start of the second half reasserted their dominance. After a good chase of the ball followed by a 5-metre scrum, Stocks (14) showed some pace to score. 28 – 7 to Knox.
There were moments where it seemed like an even tussle, but never for long, with Knox continuing to pile on the pressure and the points. A forwards’ try ticked the scoreboard over. 33 – 7 to Knox.
Knox’s fitness enabled them continue pumping the pressure up with another try to Williams (12) who crashed over after a splendid all round game. 40 -7 to Knox.
Barker were fierce until the end, baring their teeth but not biting—lots of work, lots of heart, not a lot of points.
Big congratulations to all the players particularly the Year 12s, as well as the crowd for the great atmosphere.
Final score: Knox 40 – Barker 7
The wrap-up
Knox was undoubtedly the better team and it is easy to see why they won the competition. They are well-drilled, large, fast and fit; they outlasted and out-muscled all of the CAS teams this year. Congratulations to them.
Barker played hard and with heart. The last 15 minutes of the first half they were in control heaping pressure on the Knox team, unfortunately they were not rewarded and never seemed to get back into it after that.
The players
Knox
Williams (12) and Armstrong (13) both had commanding games with Armstrong dancing out of tackle after tackle, while Williams ran hard and fast and was hard to stop.
Butler (9) had a good game and distributed the ball quickly. While in the forwards Chapman (7) had a captain’s game with an outstanding work rate around the field and Swinton (6) threw his power around with apparent glee.
Barker
Rowbotham (11) and Saar (12) had some good runs, darting through a very solid Knox defense. It was the work of these two that gave Barker many of the opportunities that they had.
Thompson (10) had his usual good game; he ran some good lines and looked dangerous. In the forwards I thought Pursell (8) was a workhorse on and around the ball, with Lloyd (7) putting the hard yards as well.
Scoring
Knox 40 (J. Williams 2, H. Chapman, L. Swinton, M. Basson, H. Stocks tries; T. Woodcock 5 cons. ) def. Barker 7 (M. Ward try; A. Lloyd goal)
Photos of Barker v Knox by Rod Skellet
Click on Page 2 below for match report of Aloys v Cranbrook by “Pilfer”
