Round 5 of the CAS competition was held yesterday and at the halfway mark before the break, teams sorted themselves out.
In the process there was a thriller at Trinity and nobody could guess the result until the final whistle after a long injury time.
Knox v Cranbrook
.by “Elfster”
On a cold day the current competition leaders Knox hosted last year champions Cranbrook. However this year sees Cranbrook winless whilst Knox is undefeated.
Cranbrook’s season has been marred by injury and bad luck. Knox also have injury issues and have not been playing as well as they would like.
First Half
Cranbrook started the game as if they were the competition leaders. They were focussed, committed and took Knox by surprise. They gained early possession resulting in a penalty which was duly converted by Searl. After three minutes Cranbrook were up 3 – nil.
The Cranbrook backs looked good, making inroads into the Knox defence but couldn’t capitalise on their chances. By contrast Knox looked dangerous with ball in hand and soon made a break from their half, putting a winger into space; he kicked ahead to where the ever-present Chapman took the bounce and ran in a try from the 22.
Knox took the lead and a little confidence. With more possession they gained territory resulting in a good individual try to their 10 Woodcock who sliced through the Cranbrook backs.
Midway in the first half the score was Knox 14 Cranbrook 3. The massacre that was expected looked like it was about to start—to all except for Cranbrook. They continued playing with passion and spent some time attacking the Knox line. The resultant pressure saw them soon score with flanker Rathie having a good dash from ten metres out to score a converted try.
Cranbrook’s spirit was rattling Knox into hesitancy and uncertainty. The game became a tight affair with Cranbrook applying pressure, gaining ascendency and penalties. Nearing half time the score favoured Knox by only a point.
Cranbrook’s game was simple but effective. Kicking for territory and their backs, notably 12 and 15 fracturing the Knox defence. Finally, however the Knox forwards started to dominate, gaining possession and territory. Some impressive mauling saw Knox gain some good territory from the Cranbrook 22 and Chapman scored his second try.
At half time the score was 24 to 16 to Knox. There had been some attractive rugby and a good display from tenacious Cranbrook who had unsettled their more-favoured opponents.
Second half
Cranbrook continued the unsettling of Knox in the second half. A glorious individual try by the Cranbrook captain brought the score to 24 – 23 for Knox. He hit the ball at pace from 30m out, sliced past the Knox 10 and 12 and then left the fullback floundering. Cranbrook was playing with confidence and a boil-over looked possible.
However from this point Knox rallied. They also regained a more clinical precision. Passes stuck, and the interplay between their forwards and backs were proving too much for Cranbrook. Knox gained more territory and the strength in the forwards was proving dominant. After another mauling display the Knox hooker scored.
From this time they didn’t ease off, scoring another three tries and choking Cranbrook out of the game. The back row from Knox started running at will, with Chapman and Basson showing great pace. Every time Knox broke the line there was support and looked good with ball in hand. Though well beaten, Cranbrook kept trying, but Knox was too good once they got a roll-on.
The Knox 6 was sin-binned late in the game for an illegal tackle, but by that time the game was petering out,
Final score; Knox 52 – Cranbrook allowing the spectators to escape the cold. It was an entertaining and attractive display of Rugby.
The teams
For their position on the ladder Cranbrook was a revelation. When they got into the Knox territory they invariably got points. If not for their injury list their season may have been quite different. They showed some flair in attack, but it was often un-coordinated resulting in it breaking down. They lost, but could take some heart from this game.
Knox looked much better in the second half and may be starting to regain form. They miss their three injured backs due to the balance they give. The Knox side relies on power, fitness and combination to wear down a side, which they displayed in the second half.
There was not a missed shot at goal – quite remarkable.
The players
Knox
Chapman and Basson were immense. Both are hard working players who are always involved. Williams (12) was dangerous in attack and defence. Woodcock stood out not just for his kicking.
Cranbrook
The captain McNiven impressed with his elusive running, as did the competent 10 Searl. The forwards impressed as a unit, but I don’t know them well enough to single out an individual.
Scoring
Knox 52 ( H Chapman 2, M Basson, H Margin, N Rowell, T Woodcock, H Stocks Tries; T Woodcock 7 cons, pen) def. Cranbrook 23 (A McNiven, A Rathie tries; D Searl 2 cons, 3 penalties)
See next page for report on Trinity v Barker by “oldandslow” >>>
