Knox v. Waverley
by “Tahmen”
This was a much-anticipated rematch between the competition-leading Knox and the slightly battered Waverley.
Despite having a strong team, Waverley lost to Knox 41 – 0 at home in Round 2. I don’t think anybody expected the score to be any where near the blowout in that game, even with some of Waverley’s key forwards being out; so was there a chance for the “Waves”.
First half
Knox kicked off and from the get-go you could see that both teams came to play, intensity was high but focus was not, with ball-carrying errors in contact causing Waverley and then Knox to lose the ball.
Knox’s big #5 Begg started to throw his weight around running aggressively and pulling in a lot of people to slow him down. Knox was sitting on Waverley’s line but poor ball carrying skills let them down again.
Knox seemed confident in their forwards and kept opting for lineouts over the three points and this paid off after some good lineouts for #8 Milan to score off of a maul. 7 – 0 to Knox.
Waves wasn’t subdued however and their potent backs always looked dangerous with their #15 Jackson Mohi racing down the sideline and managing to slip the ball away to #11 Dion Narayan, who showed his skills and broke two tackles to score. 7 – 5 to Knox.
Knox stuck to their usual tactic of using their lethal forwards to create space for the backs, a nice pass out wide from #8 Milan to #11 Ingram saw him score with space to spare. 12 – 5 to Knox.
Waverley put pressure on whenever their backline got the ball with the likes of Mohi evading tackles seemingly without too much trouble; however these runs did not have the support to press the advantage when they came. Knox continued to apply steady pressure and eventually #4 Hugh Margin got the ball, and showing an unexpected turn of pace took off and offloaded to #12 Joe Williams who was too strong to stop.
Half-time score: Knox 17 – Waverley 5.
Second half
Knox’s forwards led the attack with some strong runs from #7 Harry Chapman and Margin allowing #14 Stenning to fly down the wing creating space for #13 Stocks to score. 22 – 5 to Knox.
Waverley never a team to let the scoreline get their heads down, hit back hard with #9 Murphy and #6 O’Sullivan creating space for #14 Yoannidis to bust down the short side. 22 – 10 to Knox.
The classy backs of Waverley continued to put pressure on Knox and this finally showed with some some loose handling of the ball over the line that was quickly pounced on. 22 – 17 to Knox.
Unfortunately for Waverley just as things were starting to swing their way #10 Jordan, who had been playing well, was sent to the bin. The penalty was goaled by Woodcock and Knox had a critical eight-point margin leading 25 – 17.
Knox’s backline perked up from a little kick to the corner #15 Leo Bosch scored to round out the game.
Final score: Knox 30 – Waverley 17.
The Teams
Waverley – Their backs were dangerous and they moved the ball well but they did not have the support needed to keep applying pressure. The forwards did not get bullied by the Knox forwards as much as was expected with so many of their key forwards out, but they lacked offensive presence.
Knox – They have simple but solid game plan of using the powerful forwards to create space for the backs and it is working, however they committed too many simple ball handling errors on the day, especially running into contact, and that will have to be addressed.
The players
Waverley – #15 Mohi at every touch of the ball he seemed to confuse the Knox defense and apply pressure. #10 Jordan was having a great game until he was carded. In the forwards #8 Cardassilaris seemed fit and strong and was always looking to cause damage.
Knox – #4 Margin had a top game looking dangerous in offense and being a workhorse around the field. #9 Butler was strong in defence taking on people significantly larger than himself, and in directing the players around the field. #12 Williams was terrifying with and without the ball but there were moments when he should have passed the ball on.
Photos by Lee Grant unless mentioned otherwise
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