.
Aloys v Knox
by “Tahmen”
It was a wonderful day for a game of rugby down at College Oval with a crisp but light breeze blowing. Knox were going into the match as favourites, but after the dominating display by Aloys against Barker, and the impact of their backs, nobody was really sure.
First Half
From the kick-off you could sense that it was going to be a close game with both teams looking even. Play ensued, back and forth, until Aloys’ winger Diamond got his first touch of the ball. He charged down the sideline and shrugged off tackles as easily has he has done in earlier rounds.
Aloys pressured Knox early, allowing them little possession and they forced a penalty in front of the posts. Diamond kicked the goal for Aloys to lead 3-0.
But play started to swing in Knox’s favour as Bosch cut through the Aloys’ backline and it was Knox’s turn to force the defence to infringe in front. Woodcock tied the score up for Knox 3-3.
From the restart the irrepressible Diamond helped to to put on the first try of the game scored by Pete Slaven, for Aloys, but Knox hit back with their own five-pointer after a good break by Chapman with strong support running from Milan and Tilley. Knox converted their try to lead 10-8.
That started the match to swing towards Knox and Butler had a good run showing off his offensive capabilities in the battle for the CAS 9 position. But their kicking was inconsistent, with some attempts landing near danger players, and others not being long enough.
By contrast Aloys kicked nicely on attack; one had Diamond scooting down the wing to gather the ball, but Ingram cleaned up for Knox.
The last score before the break was a Woodcock penalty goal for Knox.
Half-time score: Knox 13 – Aloys 8.
Second Half
After the visitors hammered the goal line Milan scored an early try for Knox and they led 18-8. It looked like the Knox revving up after a slow start in the first half was continuing, but the rest of the second period belonged to Aloys.
They put pressure on the Knox line, and forced a rushed kick from Bosch. Diamond charged the ball down and recovered it like a magician with sleight-of-hand, to score. He added the extras also; so Knox still led but now by only 18 – 15.
Aloys had the vibe but Margin ran powerfully straight down the middle for Knox and a penalty was forced. Woodcock goaled it to increase the margin to 21-15 for Knox.
A good take of the ball by Dunlop, under pressure from some big Knox lads running at him, led to a try by Jack Mazaraki down the left-hand side of the field in the dying moments of the match. Knox was still in the lead, 21-20, but a successful conversion would win the game for Aloys.
The crowd was hushed as Diamond prepared his kick from wide out and…it sailed just left of the posts.
Final score: Knox 21 – Aloys 20
The teams
It was a result that neither team would have been happy with.
Knox would be disappointed with their performance, particularly the second half.
They lacked focus, and an interest to carry the ball more than they did, which was odd because their main strengths include fitness and grinding down the opposition.
The pressure exerted by Aloys did not explain why Knox’s kicks from hand were ineffectual and many of then had Aloys running back at them again. Apart from that Knox lacked a killer edge in the backs.
Aloys should be commended for their effort, particularly in the forwards who held their own, and more, against the strong Knox pack. However they didn’t use their main point of difference enough: winger Diamond was dangerous with every touch but didn’t get as much ball as he should have.
The Players
Knox: #8 Basson was a standout: his ball-handling skills were excellent and he would drop into the backline and have a run causing havoc. #9 Butler stepped up; he has always been solid but he had a couple of darting runs that put pressure on Aloys. #10 Woodcock played out of his skin and his goal-kicking made the difference.
Aloys: #2 Stene had an excellent match and led the smaller Aloys pack against the Knox machine. While they didn’t run as offensively as the Knox forwards they certainly didn’t get pushed around by some of their bigger opponents. #11 Diamond caused damage at every touch but didn’t get enough ball.
See next page for Barker v. Waverley by “rod skellet”
