Aloys v Cranbrook
by “Pilfer”
With positions locked up on the ladder, today’s match was about pride and sending off the Year 12s in their last game for their school, in style. Hence the match was a classic game of hard and tough schoolboy footy.
First half
The game started of quickly with an Aloys’ try, following a turnover, bustling run and a surprising flick pass from #4 Will Halliday, setting up #15 Tom Dunlop in the corner.
However despite the flying start, the rest of the half followed a stop-and-start pattern with handling errors and penalties preventing either team achieving an advantage. Aloys particularly seemed to struggle with an injury to Halliday, which compromised getting good field position because inaccuracy at the breakdown and the line out.
Cranbrook were similarly let down by poor execution in building successive phases. However Cranbrook’s accuracy at the breakdown in forcing turnovers, compensated for this. It was anybody’s game and the team that got their act together sooner would probably win.
Half-time score: Aloys 5 – Cranbrook 0..
Second half
Whatever the coaches said to Cranbrook at the break seemed to worked because they came out firing with line speed in defence, forcing turnovers. This was followed by clinical attacking culminating in a try to Olly Crowe, through constant pressure on the Aloys’ goal line.
The conversion by #10 Stenmark made the score Cranbrook 7 – Aloys 5
From here the game turned messy with constant handling errors, reflecting the fast and aggressive defensive styles of both sides in forcing errors. Additionally, whenever the game seemed to be opening up with the dangerous Aloys backs making inroads into The Brook’s defence, Cranbrook’s ever-strong back row seemed to manage to force a turnover.
In what appeared to be a battle of attrition surely one team would have to break and let the decisive try in!
With time winding down Aloys were finally able to surmount some sustained pressure which earned a penalty being awarded 30 meters out. Down by two points and with less then ten minutes to go, Aloys opted for the three, but the goal missed.
Their fans must have been wondering: was that Aloys last attempt at victory?
With limited time left in in the season of both teams, the next five minutes was contested brutally. Physicality in defence, creativity in an attack and a bosterious crowd, had everyone on the edge of their seats.
And with a couple minutes left #12 Sam Lawson made a decisive break in the midfield before passing to #13 Peter Slaven, putting him through to the try line. The conversion by Cohen had Aloys ahead by five points with a minute remaining.
Final score: St. Aloysius 12 – Cranbrook 7
The Players
Aloys
3 – #12 Sam Lawson strong on both defence and attack
2 – #15 Thomas Dunlop, a constant threat from the back
1 – #4 William Halliday, despite limited minutes set an aggressive tone and was crucial in first half
Cranbrook
3- The back row, constantly forcing turnovers
2- #12 Angus McNiven, strong and aggressive ball running.
1- #1 Thomas Hill, good scrummaging and physicality on offence and defence
The wrap-up
Strong defence characterised the match, evidenced by the few points on the scoreboard at the end. Both teams should be proud in their efforts: how they they poured their heart and soul into that very close game.
Cranbrook should be congratulated for their improvement during the season after a challenging start and their run of injuries.
Scoring
St. Aloysius 12 (P. Slaven, T. Dunlop tries; P. Cohen con) def. Cranbrook 7 (O. Crowe try; F. Stenmark con)
Click on Page 3 below for a report on Trinity v Waverley by “oldandslow”.
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