Waverley Vs Knox @ Queens Park
Waverley went into today’s clash as favourites, having drawn with both Kings and Riverview, and narrowly losing to Joeys.
Knox had beaten Shore and sneaked home against Joeys, however were smashed by both Scots and Newington.
The earlier matches were all Waverley:
16A’s 38-14 to Waverley
3rd’s 31-7 to Waverley
2nd’s 38-5 to Waverley
But Knox 1st’s are from an age group who from Year 6 to Year 10 only lost 5 games. They were the State Champions in the Rugby 7’s in Year 6, and most of the boys had played for Gordon at some stage during their footy lives. They are a team with some sublime skills, a bit of size, and are a tight-knit bunch.
So it was no surprise when they lined up against a highly rated and very large opposition at Queens Park that they brought with them a sense of self belief. It helped that on the hill, there were more Knox boys cheering them on than there were Waverley boys on the other side of the grandstand.
With Waverley having put 30+ points on quality opposition in the first half each week for the past few weeks, Knox needed to do something early.
And that they did, with a slick backline move seeing Knox get first points in under 3 minutes, scooting away to score in the corner, with Fitzgerald (10) nailing the conversion to make it 7-0 to Knox.
From the restart, Knox drove it upfield through their forwards, and Waverley drove back up field with their backs. Waverley were then camped in the Knox 22 for almost 10 minutes, eventually going over after repeated pick and drives from their big forwards. Knox still ahead 7-5.
The next restart saw Swann (13) fly high for Waverley, but he was immediately crunched by Gratwicke (8) in a bone shaking tackle, forcing a knock on. McDonand (1) picked up the ball for Knox on the 10 metre line, and linked up with his winger. McDonald dummied and stepped off his left foot and ran another 20 metres. D’Agostino (15) came across in cover. McDonald stepped off his left again, going straight past the fullback. Moale (6) came flying across to make the tackle, but McDonald carried him over the line to score in the corner. A props try for the ages, which I’m sure will end up being a 90 metre run when it gets retold over the coming years. 12-5 to Knox.
From the next restart, Waverley worked their way downfield, with Knox eventually conceding the penalty. Waverley took the shot at goal, making it 12-8 to Knox.
More hard running from the restart saw Waverley work their way into the Knox half. Another penalty to Waves just 10 metres into Knox territory saw them take another shot at goal, with the ball sailing between the posts to bring the score to 12-11 to Knox.
Another 10 minutes of the Waverley big blokes taking the ball up and getting hit with determined Knox defence, and Knox forwards hitting it up and making scant metres, saw a midfield scrum to Waverley. A big push by Knox saw Gratwicke (8) pick up the ball, and make 20 metres. Two minutes later Gratwicke made another solid run, being pulled down just centimetres short of the line. A quick pick and drive and Knox were over again, up 19-11 going in at half time.
The second half started with Hutchinson-Walters (12) from Waverley putting an enormous hit on Griffiths (15), bringing the Queens Park crowd to life. While the Waverley boys on the hill made a noise when play was close to them, the Knox supporters were a constant source of loud support for the men in white. Meanwhile, the Waverley Old Boys on the other side of the oval were mingling with the boys in blue, and were a bit subdued. other than the occasional “He’s offside ref!”, or “Smash him Waverley”.
Despite the massive hit by Hutchinson-Walters, the Knox backline came to life, and had the men in white deep in the Waverley half.
Driving runs by Kablau (3) and Hughes (5) got Knox within five metres, and less than five minutes into the second half Knox were over - up 25-11.
The next 10 minutes saw a struggle of titanic proportions. Waverley would make metres upfield, but the Knox back row of Cheap (6), Breden (7) and Gratwicke (8) disrupted every ruck, slowing down and turning over ball, or drawing penalties. I suspect this may be the best back row in CAS rugby this year, ably assisted by Grobler (2), who was also into everything.
Eventually, the size, strength and speed of Waverley prevailed, and they were over. 26-16 to Knox, but things were getting interesting.
Knox, weren’t to be outdone. Slick hands out the backs found Nicholl (14) on the wing. He steamed upfield, and chipped ahead for Sammut to regather and race for the line. Diving over, he, and the crowd, realised at the same time that he had dived for the soccer field line - 5 metres short of the goal line! Why are there soccer lines on the home of Waverley rugby, when there is a soccer field 10 metres away? A conundrum...
Knox kept control of the ball though, and drew a penalty within 10 metres of the goal line, centre field. They took the 3 points, but would this come back and bite them? Time would tell. Knox up 29-16, 25 minutes into the second half.
The Waverley boys met centre field. “Remember Japan!” one yelled. “We can win this!!!”
And with that, their big men lifted. They ran on to the ball like men possessed. They held their passes. The forwards drove up the middle. The backs barged up the edges. And 30 minutes into the second half they scored! 29-23 to Knox.
The restart was contested, and Knox came away with the ball. The hits in defence were huge, with players down all over the field, from both teams. Then offside by Waverley. Knox took the shot at goal, And 35 minutes after the half started, Knox were up, 32-23.
They were now into injury time, and the Laurel & Hardy show started. Two balls were on the field for the kick-off. They got rid of them both. Both came back on. Both were kicked back off. Both came on again. Eventually, one stayed on the field, and the other was shown the exit. And the last few minutes of the game began.
The hit-ups were bone shaking. The defence was huge. Both teams put their bodies on the line. No quarter was given, and still the game went on. Then the break. Dancing off his left foot, Volkman tore through the Knox defence, straight up the middle. Desperate cover defence by Korthout (22) caught him, but he offloaded to D’Agostino (15), who sprinted away to score, 42 minutes after the half started.
Waverley took a quick shot at goal, missing, but there was still time for a restart! 32-28. When was this game going to finish?!
Knox contested the restart. But Waverley held firm. Their big men started working their way upfield. But Knox defence held strong. Quick hands out the backs. A half break. A forced pass. A knock-on, and Knox booted the ball upfield. The ref blows the whistle for the knock-on, and then blows for the end of the game. It is 44 minutes since the half started, and the game is over.
The Knox boys erupt as though they have won the premiership. The Waverley boys are shattered. Tears of joy for Knox, and some tears of frustration from Waverley. The teams embrace. There is genuine respect on both sides. The Knox crowd goes nuts. And I spy off to the side, a very proud Knox Principal.
Faith. Wisdom. Integrity. Compassion. Courage. The Knox guiding values have been shown in spades on the sporting field at Queens Park today. And the winner was schoolboy rugby. Not an inch was given. Not a backward step taken. Two colossal teams went head to head, and after the game, met in the “shed”, shared some food, and talked of the game they play in heaven.