rod skellet
Desmond Connor (43)
26/7
Hi all.
I will try and write a brief summary of the 1sts game to give those not in attendance a feel of the game. GPS won 26/7 and deserved the win. That said on another day this game would have been desperately close. CAS were their own worst enemy, dropping balls especially in the lineouts. I counted 8 lineouts where the CAS lost their own throw, and it was not as if Pollard was missing his mark. He was nailing the throws, just the recipient dropped it. I really would have had Cameron playing 4 or 5 as he and Pollard have been superb this year for Barker but he was at the back and on a wet day going long is tough. The other problem was 5 of these lineouts were 5m out from the GPS line so the scoring opportunity went begging to many times.
To GPS credit when they had the ball, and they had a lot of it, they looked great. The Joeys 10,12,13 worked a treat all night and the opportunity they gave Mossman and the go to man Koula kept GPS on the front foot all night.
Connolly was safe and reliable at full back. In the forwards it was a very even night. The CAS front row probably had the upper hand especially late in the game when they dismantled the GPS scrum twice in space of 5 minutes. Botha for GPS was very visible around the park and while Ratcliff and Bokenham did there bit at lineout time and at the breakdown. Tom Gratwick from CAS was equally good at 8.
If I were to choose a combined side it would look like this.
1 Brown CAS
2 Pollard CAS
3 Botha GPS
4 Houston GPS
5 Cameron CAS
6 Gratwick CAS
7 Ratcliff GPS
8 Bokenham GPS
9 Albert GPS
10 Gibbs GPS
11 Koula GPS
12 Chan GPS
13 Obrien GPS
14 Mossman GPS
15 Connolly GPS
The 2nds game was very even with GPS getting up 19/14. Once again losing lineouts close out really affected the CAS guys and they could have pulled off a deserved win.
I think some of the CAS 2nds may challenge for spots in the CAS1sts especially in the backs while I do not expect that from the GPS seconds
Wilson 3, Buchanan 4 Fitzgerald 10 North 11, Vass 14 all had really good games for CAS 2nds and made a impact when they came on for CAS in the dying moments in the firsts. Fitzgerald 10 especially had a really good game and really directed the backs well while North scored 2 great tries. I think Vass could go into 15 and North11, for Fridays games.
Anyway congrats to the GPS lads. Deserved winners of both games.
Agree Rod - the lineout losses killed CAS chances.
GPS didn’t contest CAS throws in their 22 in the first half. Their coaches obviously saw something, because they contested (and won) most CAS throws in the second half.
There were a few reasons:
1. CAS didn’t go to the front despite the conditions, so GPS put up a jumper at the front and the middle/back
2. The GPS jumper was off the ground before the CAS jumper on CAS throws (what did they see to enable them to do that?)
3. Even when they didn’t get to the ball first, they got a hand on the CAS jumpers arm, and subtly pulled it - enough to dislodge he ball in these conditions but not enough to get noticed by the ref
So, smart work by GPS.
Also noteworthy was how little ball both Galloway and Evans received on the wing for CAS. It would have been good to see more of them, but the ball had trouble getting past centre-field.
Hi all.
I will try and write a brief summary of the 1sts game to give those not in attendance a feel of the game. GPS won 26/7 and deserved the win. That said on another day this game would have been desperately close. CAS were their own worst enemy, dropping balls especially in the lineouts. I counted 8 lineouts where the CAS lost their own throw, and it was not as if Pollard was missing his mark. He was nailing the throws, just the recipient dropped it. I really would have had Cameron playing 4 or 5 as he and Pollard have been superb this year for Barker but he was at the back and on a wet day going long is tough. The other problem was 5 of these lineouts were 5m out from the GPS line so the scoring opportunity went begging to many times.
To GPS credit when they had the ball, and they had a lot of it, they looked great. The Joeys 10,12,13 worked a treat all night and the opportunity they gave Mossman and the go to man Koula kept GPS on the front foot all night.
Connolly was safe and reliable at full back. In the forwards it was a very even night. The CAS front row probably had the upper hand especially late in the game when they dismantled the GPS scrum twice in space of 5 minutes. Botha for GPS was very visible around the park and while Ratcliff and Bokenham did there bit at lineout time and at the breakdown. Tom Gratwick from CAS was equally good at 8.
If I were to choose a combined side it would look like this.
1 Brown CAS
2 Pollard CAS
3 Botha GPS
4 Houston GPS
5 Cameron CAS
6 Gratwick CAS
7 Ratcliff GPS
8 Bokenham GPS
9 Albert GPS
10 Gibbs GPS
11 Koula GPS
12 Chan GPS
13 Obrien GPS
14 Mossman GPS
15 Connolly GPS
The 2nds game was very even with GPS getting up 19/14. Once again losing lineouts close out really affected the CAS guys and they could have pulled off a deserved win.
I think some of the CAS 2nds may challenge for spots in the CAS1sts especially in the backs while I do not expect that from the GPS seconds
Wilson 3, Buchanan 4 Fitzgerald 10 North 11, Vass 14 all had really good games for CAS 2nds and made a impact when they came on for CAS in the dying moments in the firsts. Fitzgerald 10 especially had a really good game and really directed the backs well while North scored 2 great tries. I think Vass could go into 15 and North11, for Fridays games.
Anyway congrats to the GPS lads. Deserved winners of both games.
Agreed, that Dan Botha he looks very strong, very visible around the park. Got in stuck into everything last night. Shame we didn't see Galloway let go for one of his Rieko Ioane like runs. He's an absolute talent. Can Round 3 hurry up please. BBHi all.
I will try and write a brief summary of the 1sts game to give those not in attendance a feel of the game. GPS won 26/7 and deserved the win. That said on another day this game would have been desperately close. CAS were their own worst enemy, dropping balls especially in the lineouts. I counted 8 lineouts where the CAS lost their own throw, and it was not as if Pollard was missing his mark. He was nailing the throws, just the recipient dropped it. I really would have had Cameron playing 4 or 5 as he and Pollard have been superb this year for Barker but he was at the back and on a wet day going long is tough. The other problem was 5 of these lineouts were 5m out from the GPS line so the scoring opportunity went begging to many times.
To GPS credit when they had the ball, and they had a lot of it, they looked great. The Joeys 10,12,13 worked a treat all night and the opportunity they gave Mossman and the go to man Koula kept GPS on the front foot all night.
Connolly was safe and reliable at full back. In the forwards it was a very even night. The CAS front row probably had the upper hand especially late in the game when they dismantled the GPS scrum twice in space of 5 minutes. Botha for GPS was very visible around the park and while Ratcliff and Bokenham did there bit at lineout time and at the breakdown. Tom Gratwick from CAS was equally good at 8.
If I were to choose a combined side it would look like this.
1 Brown CAS
2 Pollard CAS
3 Botha GPS
4 Houston GPS
5 Cameron CAS
6 Gratwick CAS
7 Ratcliff GPS
8 Bokenham GPS
9 Albert GPS
10 Gibbs GPS
11 Koula GPS
12 Chan GPS
13 Obrien GPS
14 Mossman GPS
15 Connolly GPS
The 2nds game was very even with GPS getting up 19/14. Once again losing lineouts close out really affected the CAS guys and they could have pulled off a deserved win.
I think some of the CAS 2nds may challenge for spots in the CAS1sts especially in the backs while I do not expect that from the GPS seconds
Wilson 3, Buchanan 4 Fitzgerald 10 North 11, Vass 14 all had really good games for CAS 2nds and made a impact when they came on for CAS in the dying moments in the firsts. Fitzgerald 10 especially had a really good game and really directed the backs well while North scored 2 great tries. I think Vass could go into 15 and North11, for Fridays games.
Anyway congrats to the GPS lads. Deserved winners of both games.
Very uneducated comment there.
1) The Waverley coaches are exceptional and have gotten the job done for 2 out of their 3 seasons at the helm.
2) While Loughnan can carry, he is a defensive liability, often being caught flat footed. Rechner was amazing defensively tonight and more than deserved his position in the team.
3) Dagostino was one of CAS’ best players taking numerous tough catches at the back.
4) Spaulding was good but not great in the 2’s, certainly not enough to create questions over a possible callup.
Again, I am an Aloys fan but jeez, you’re commentary paints us in a bad light.
As for selections, good luck! Suspect a number of players will rule themselves out from NSW schools selection as they are already in Gen Blue Program and have the "Golden ticket".
Just in case anyone was wondering. The Chargers got up last night in our semi-final in Putney last night. Big shoutout to Beuden Barret who got out to support the team last night. Could not have done it without him. I managed to sneak in for a couple of meat pies thanks to Stevo absolutely controlling the middle with my older brother Jason. We now turn our focus to the grand final next week. Since there's no schoolboy rugby for a few weeks would love to see WLF or Runningrugby1 out there since they have so much to say about the kids. I can assure you though, my game is flawless. AFP
sad to have missed last night, although it sounded like a tough on for the reds.
is there any schoolboy footy happening over the break? they used to put the battle of hill on around this time from memory. i wouldn't mind popping my head into a few matches.