Cranbrook 37 — St Aloysius 17
by SonnyDillWilliams
On a windy, chilly and clear Sydney afternoon, Cranbrook rolled up to Aloysius home ground at Willoughby.
A short step from fortress Shore, Aloys has a distinctly different vibe. From the lamingtons, being spread through the supporters stand, to the determination to ensure everything is very civil, no rabid old boys, no kegs on utes, no nude runs. Anyway I’ll avoid the social commentary.
First half
The Cranbrook pack were wearing their skin tight jerseys, and they looked a bit like the English Rugby team, or at least the forwards did.
The Aloys team in stark contrast, looked very young, and could have been a 16As team. Rory Vevers, Aloys handy outside centre, was sporting what looked like his pyjama top under his jersey.
Although once that breeze started to bite, my 10 year old son stopped chuckling and I realised Vevers was the smart one …. He wasn’t going to see much possession, so why not keep warm.
Anyway after the initial penalty kick shoot-out, Cranbrook was leading 6 to 3. Cranbrook had the strong breeze at their backs, and they used it well.
Cranbrook’s captain, Tom Mahony (No 7) did not have his usual knee strapping, so that should have been taken as an ominous sign. While Hugh Summerhayes, Cranbrook’s hulking no 6, looked the part, it was a short dart from Mahony, after some good build-up play, that saw Brook increase the lead to 13 to 3.
It was clear from the early passages, that Cranbrook’s scrum was very strong, their line-out was effective, care of their No 5 (Langton McCombe), and this was a well drilled pack, under the tutelage of some good rugby brains.
Importantly, Cranbrook’s No 10, Sam Renton, was a good ball runner, happy to run to the gain line … and reminiscent of another recent Cranbrook five-eight, Christian Warner.
Defying the weight of possession, Aloys remained in the game. Deep in Cranbrook territory, Vevers (no 12) took a penalty, and a chip and chase, that what should have been easily nullified [in the 22 area], was miraculously recovered, and it ended with Aloys scoring. Score: Cranbrook 13 to 10.
However another goal kick to Cranbrook, showed Renton is a good goal kicker. Cranbrook 16 to 10.
Cranbrook’s front row looked excellent, they secured a tight head and were unlucky not to get more.
However it was the strong running no 8, Nick Makas for Cranbrook that really shone. He seemed to be everywhere. It was Makas whose work rate and strong charges were a revelation. With a good off-load and silky skills, I’d suggest that Makas is Cranbrook’s best weapon in 2014.
At half time, Aloys would have been happy with the 16 to 10 score, as you would have thought the breeze worth more than 6.
Second half
However shortly after half-time, Brook found themselves with a penalty on Aloys line. Knowing their scrum was dominant, a good decision saw the penalty taken as a scrum. Mahony making the most of good forward play, secured a second silky try. Cranbrook 30 to 10. Renton’s boot was on- song.
After a Summerhayes mistake, and a bit of a blow-up … Vevers (13) capitalised and showed why he is entitled to wear his PJs on game day. Great incisive run, and maybe a question mark on brook’s backs. Score Cranbrook 30 to 17.
Off the ensuring kick-off Mahony chased the ball like a hare … never taking his eye off the ball. He regathered … another bit of Cranbrook magic.
The game blustered on ,and some zippy running by dimunitive Cranbrook winger Zac Edelstein, saw Mahony continue his great game, to set up a try to Renton. Score 37 to 17.
All up an entertaining game, given the “blowy” conditions.
The Players
Aloysius have a hard tackling Sam Lawson (No 12) and a classy No 13 in Rory Vevers. I felt sorry for the poor half back who was unceremoniously pulled off towards the end, but really his forwards need to muscle up.
A lot of work to be done on the forwards, otherwise 2014 could be a long year.
Cranbrook has a good backrow in the shape of Makas, Mahony and Summerhayes (on his day), and their tight five would be at a level comparable to Knox.
Renton’s running game looks excellent, and his goal kicking could make them serious title contenders. However whether the Cranbrook backs are up to it, will await to be seen.
Maybe the solution is for Summerhayes to become more mobile and attract defenders.
Scoring
Cranbrook — 37 ( T Mahony (2), L McCombe, S Renton tries: S Renton 4 goals, 3 pens )
St. Aloysius — 17 ( B Jones, R Vevers tries: J Dainton 2 goals, pen )
Other results
2nd XV: Cranbrook 20 — St. Aloysius 17
16As: St. Aloyisus 45 — Cranbrook 15
All results are unofficial
Photos by Lee Grant
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