The CAS season started yesterday, Everybody had trials and tried out new players but form guides didn’t matter now as the boys went head-to-head.
Barker v Trinity
by “oldandslow”
Visiting Barker is a bit like a trip to the high veldt these days. You’re sure to encounter a well-drilled, committed rugby team and plenty of South African accents cheering them on.
On a smoky day in Sydney, Trinity’s 1st XV watched on as their seconds were demolished 31-8, five tries to one, by a Barker 2nd XV that played most of the second half with 14 boys but nonetheless dismantled their opposition efficiently with relentless breakdown pressure.
The game
With the 1st XV on the paddock, Barker started brightly and converted early territory into three points, after Trinity infringed in the ruck close to the line.
With neither team settling, the game remained scrappy, with little clean ball available for either back line. Barker’s lock, Timothy Woodgate (4) was a powerful presence early on in Barker’s lineout, winning clean ball and making life tough for Trinity on its own throw.
Midway through the half Trinity clicked into gear, and enjoyed a fluent passage of play to half-time. From a line-out just inside Barker’s 22, Trinity’s skipper Liam Rascsh (6) took the ball cleanly and brushed off five would-be tacklers to crash over for a try. Jordan Morris (12) converted from wide out to give Trinity a 7-3 lead.
Trinity’s running forwards threatened to overrun Barker several times, however, a lopsided penalty count kept Barker in the game, including a yellow card to Trinity’s Sipu Tuitavake (8) for putting a player in a dangerous position, albeit bringing him to ground gently.
Barker captain Matt Nevison (12) kicked his second penalty to make it 7-6.
Despite having a man in the bin, Trinity’s powerful forward runners continued to wreak havoc on Barker’s line and with ten minutes left to play in the half, more Trinity forward pressure was seized upon by man of the match, Matthew Stead, who took quick ball and set off on a 20-meter run, beating several defenders and scoring near the posts.
The conversion made the score 14-6, which would remain unchanged for the rest of the match.
In the closing minutes of the half Barker absorbed wave after wave of Trinity attack, all directed through the forwards. Trinity errors leading to Barker scrums were irrelevant, with Trinity pushing Barker off its scrum ball at will and maintaining possession.
This notwithstanding, Barker held its line. It was reminiscent of Australia’s efforts against Wales in last year’s World Cup.
Half-time score: Trinity 14 – Barker 6
Photo credit – Rod Skellet
The scoreless second half was a scrappy affair. Barker largely held the territorial advantage through a lopsided penalty count, however, Trinity’s dominance at set pieces and their strong midfield defence shut down Barker’s attack. Barker’s lineout faltered with several crooked throws, and its scrum was at the mercy of Trinity who were shoving it about at will.
At times Barker controlled the ball well with the forwards looking neat and disciplined, and securing fast possession for their backs to play from. However, Trinity’s mid-field defence was strong and the scrambling cover defence was quick and effective when needed.
The wrap-up
While Trinity has powerful forward runners who will dent every CAS line this year, the pack can learn from Barker’s clinical approach of securing clean ball to allow the halves to distribute it to the outside backs.
And more credit to Barker, who effectively slowed Trinity’s ball down at times.
Trinity’s halves need to be more adept in distributing fast ball when they get it; yet the team should not become obsessed with power running to the detriment of laying the foundation to make it possible.
Barker will play against less powerful defensive sides and put points on if the forwards keep providing the platform they had today.
The players
Barker – 3 points to Matt Nevison (12), 2 points to Timothy Woodgate (4) and 1 point to Falito Van Woerkom (13), who defended well and tried hard in attack.
Trinity – 3 points to Matthew Stead (7) who was clearly best on ground, 2 points to Liam Rasch (6) and 1 point to Jordan Morris (12)
The scoring
Trinity 14 (L. Rasch, M. Stead tries; J. Morris 2 cons.) def. Barker 6 (M. Nevison 3 pens.)
Cranbrook v Knox
by “Backsaresmarter”‘
Cranbrook had good reason to go into this game with some confidence after a strong pre-season win over Stannies. The opening game at home presented a great opportunity for what some would have considered an upset.
On the other hand, Knox would have been rattled by that ugly loss against St Josephs last week. The game against a solid Cranbrook, away, was potentially a huge risk.
First half
From the kick-off, Knox successfully secured the ball and played the first five minutes in Cranbrook’s half. The Knox forwards were chafing at the bit, including pushing a little early in the scrums. The first stage of the game concluded with a scrum penalty, about 30m out to Knox, which was slotted by Knox flyhalf, Tom Woodcock.
Cranbrook struck back and played the next five minutes in Knox’s half. An unsuccessful field goal attempt was followed by a penalty goal from Cranbrook flyhalf, Darcy Searle.
Game on!
The Knox forwards started to get on a roll—the scrum had some concrete; the lineouts were being won easily with several of Cranbrook’s throws intercepted by Knox’s Grindal and Upton. Suddenly a beautiful inside ball went to Jack Upton who rampaged 20metres to set-up a series of driving mauls for somebody to score.
Cranbrook appeared to be in trouble. The scrum was going backwards and the lineout wasn’t working. Despite this, they had 50% possession and the scoreline reflected that the game was in the balance. Cranbrook’s backline are big: Searle, Stenmark and Dickins will be the biggest backline in CAS. Despite trying every backline move in the playbook the Knox defence was rock solid.
Cranbrook Captain, No. 7 Josh Kemeny was leading from the front as usual. His aggressive tackles, cleanouts and running was keeping the Knox forwards under pressure in broken play.
Deep in the half, Knox let the ball fly from a maul, and their backs swooped like seagulls on a chip, resulting in Stocks flying around in an overlap to score what could only be called a team try.
At half-time, the score was 13-3 with both teams having similar possession and neither team feeling happy with the scoreline.
Second half
The second half started well for Knox, From a Cranbrook lineout, close to their own line, Connor Grindal snatched the ball and crashed over. Then Knox put together phase-after-phase resulting in a try to Knox captain Milan Basson out wide.
Cranbrook’s backline defence was showing serious signs of weakness in the outside channel with Knox’s Harry Stocks and James Armstrong making many several menacing runs for good yards out wide.
However, Cranbrook’s lineout started to work and their No.4, Tom Burston and Kemeny stole a few and gave Cranbrook good ball possession from the lineout.
All was not lost for Cranbrook, they threw everything at Knox. Their fullback, Harrison Stewart made a scything run down the line, stepping-in and evading several Knox players only to get caught just short of the line. Another time Cranbrook had a four-man man overlap near Knox’s line, only to get stopped in a try-saving tackle by Knox’s Jack Kane.
Knox’s rolling maul marched Cranbrook 35metres downfield and after another series of series of forward drives Basson scored his second try.
The Knox backs were also finally clicking into gear and when Armstrong was got into space through a cut-out pass he ran 40m and put the flying Harry Stocks in for another try. Knox’s defensive line; particularly Woodcock and Hunter Myers was exceptional and stopped Cranbrook from breaking through the line for the entire game.
Cranbrook often forced Knox into the trap of playing the traditional Cranbrook kicking game in broken play (which Cranbrook played so well). This resulted in Knox often needlessly giving away possession.
Final score: Knox 37 – Cranbrook 3
The wrap up
Cranbrook – their strengths were the lineout and kicking game. Their best players were Kemeny, Burston and Stewart.
Knox – their strengths were their backline defence and their dominant scrum. Their best players were Basson, Armstrong and Stocks.
The scoring
The scoreboard was not accurately displaying the score and a few tries were missed in the confusion but Knox scored six tries to nil.
Knox 37 (Tries: M. Basson 2, H. Stocks 2, J. Kane, C. Grindal; T. Woodcock 2 cons, pen.) def. Cranbrook 3 (D. Searle pen.)
Waverley v Aloys
by “Anonymous Al”
The build up to this game was special: Waverley College chose the unique option of holding a ‘Welcome to Country’ ceremony to acknowledge local Indigenous history.
It was moving, interesting, and set the scene for an entertaining game on a perfect afternoon at Death Valley.
First half
Waverley started well out of the blocks. They built pressure on the Aloys [SAC] defence through their strong running and good ball control. After a darting run from 9 Jordan and barging runs from locks Drew-Morris and Clifton, quick hands enabled winger Carr to dive over in the corner. Waves 5-0.
But Waverley started to infringe and penalties gave SAC scoring opportunities. Flyhalf Dainton kicked a penalty goal from in front to reduce the deficit by three.
Waverley’s young forward Moretti was carded for collapsing a maul and SAC took advantage. After some slick passing by the inside backs Freed scored a try and Dainton converted. Aloys were nearly across the line again but last-ditch defence by the Waves spoilt the opportunity.
But Waverley kept infringing and Dainton slotted the goal. Aloys 13-5.
The Double V corrected their discipline and worked their way into Aloys’ half. Quick hands from the Waverley backs got the ball to winger Mohi, who beat two defenders to score in the corner.
Half-time score: Aloys 13 – Waverley 10.
Second half
Waverley owned this half. They created front-foot ball to put on some brilliant attacking play which was entertaining stuff. They opened the scoring after the break when Mohi crossed for the second try (Refer to ‘’Try of the Game’’ below.) Waves 15-13.
It would have been worse for Aloys when Clifton went over but he put a foot into touch before the try line.
But they weren’t to be denied when Fuller took the ball strongly into Aloys territory for Mood to get outside the defence and pop the ball to Carr for his second. Waverley 20-13.
Jordan got into the act again with a long clearing kick which 7 Sullivan chased and gave enough room for Mohi to score his hat-trick. He wasn’t finished though—Mohi got his fourth when he out-sprinted the defence after Drew-Morris and Moretti did the lead-up work. Waves 32-13.
As hard as SAC tried they couldn’t breach Waverley’s defence. Centre Slaven went close to scoring but was stopped by a strong tackle from Moretti.
Waverley nearly scored their seventh when Jordan broke the defence of Aloys again and ran for 50 metres to pass to supporting forwards but the move broke down and the game ended.
Final score: Waverley 32 – Aloys 13.
The teams
Waverley will have to improve their goal-kicking and lineouts, and if they can hang onto the ball longer their confidence in using the ball, and their impressive attacking skills will no doubt bag them more points in future games.
Their defence, especially in the backs, would have pleased their coaches.
SAC had a clinical approach to their game. Their ball control at the breakdown was good and their skill in the backline was evident, but when Waverley kept rolling forward in the second half they couldn’t get back into the game.
The players
Waverley – They all played well in the second half but Mohi, Fuller, Jordan and Yoannidis from the backs, and forwards Clifton, Drew-Morris and O’Sullivan were standouts.
SAC – Dainton was their best, but Nick Hrdina (8), Tom Partington (6), Patrick Flaherty (12), Peter Slaven (13) and Jack Mazaraki (15) put in good performances.
The try of the game
Scored by Waverley’s left winger Jackson Mohi from within his own half. Quick hands from Waves Jordan, Donaldson and Fuller saw Mohi receive the ball with room to move and skirt the sideline on a 40-metre run before chip kicking over the last line of defence. Mohi won the race for the ball to score a brilliant individual try.
The wrap-up
SAC was in the race up until half time but Waverley was too strong once they got better discipline, controlled the ball and got on the front foot.
The scoring
Waverley 32 (J. Mohi 4, Z. Carr 2 tries; B. Donaldson con.) def. SAC 13 (I. Freed try; M. Dainton 2 pens, con.)
Images of Waverley v Aloys and on Home Page by https://www.facebook.com
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