Elfster
Alex Ross (28)
On a brilliant autumn day St Pat’s Strathfield hosted Knox, the two schools playing their A sides. Strathfield seems to be one of those suburbs that reminds one of a 50’s or 60’s Sydney. Wide streets, mostly neat, solid and comfortable houses with settled gardens. Framed by trees that gives the perspective of a verdant horizon and shielding the sounds and sights of the city. But it would seem that not all is well in this calm and quiet. Around the school were houses with signs exhorting ‘Save Strathfield’, ‘Stop the Expansion’. Mischief is afoot and apparently consuming the suburb. And who is causing this mischief?? The Australian Catholic University and the plans to expand its campus. Which, to this outsider is a little odd; for the campus does appear to blend quite sympathetically into the environment and it has been there for a while. Also at least one of the properties vociferously voicing its inhabitants’ opposition to the expansion seems to have been designed with a startling degree of ostentatious crassness and whose own existence seems to have been predicated on friends and monetary influence at the council rather than thoughtful and classy design. But such is life in the burbs, and from my perspective they are lucky it is the ACU building and not Meriton .
I am not certain when Knox last played at St Pats, but I think it may have been quite a few years and the game then was stopped short by the tragic death of one of the Knox players on the field. It has been mentioned in other threads about the history of St Pats playing CAS schools, but I am glad that schools do play outside their association. To allow the kids greater experiences and make the sport less insular. The game started with both sides a little disjointed, but St Pats found their rhythm and soon scored a good try to their 5/8 (I think). Their forwards out enthused and muscled the Knox forwards and the weight of possession and territory. The St Pats no8 looked impressive; combining power, strength and a willingness to confront the opposition. It would be hard to say which side was bigger, but the St Pats centers were sizeable and the front row looked the goods. Their power was evident in the scrum; which shaded the Knox scrum initially.
Though they were dominant for the first 15 or so minutes, St Pats could not score again. Their back line seemed to be one dimensional – passing with out advancing. Though this may have been due to the defence of Knox. Who, after the first try against them, covered well in defence. Surprisingly, on more than one occasion, the handling let both sides down. For the conditions there was a fair bit of dropped ball. As Knox became settled, they started moving down the field, using the pick and drive and some well considered kicking. This showed up on the score board and soon Knox had edged in front; a close range uncoverted try to even the score and then soon after a backline move from rusk ball to go 12 – 5 ahead. At that stage Knox lifted and went to halftime in a dominating position.
The second half started slow and both sides parried with out upsetting the scorer for the initial half of the half. Though Knox were looking the better side. Though the St Pats scrum was still more than holding their own. The St Pats 5/8 was a constant threat and Knox just held on a couple of times to avoid being scored against. However Knox lifted midway through and continued their try scoring. I believe in all their 13 scored a hat-trick. Late in the game St Pats a short range intercept – their 10, but they had worked their way into that position. Knox were starting to breach the defence on a regular basis, they had good counter attack and also started holding the ball more regularly. They scored a couple of good long range tries in which the forwards did strong build up work before releasing the backs. The final score was 45 – 12. Seven tries to two. For St Pats the 10 and 8 were the obvious stand outs. Though they were given good support by the rest of the team. I liked their front row and the team were enthusiastic and energetic. They may have suffered from a lack of depth (the St Pats 2nds lost 55 – 0) and thus the replacements didn’t necessarily add a great deal.
There were no obvious standouts in the Knox side. (Perhaps the 13 with his hat trick put up his hand though). They played with a ruthless efficiency, spread the ball effectively and used the width of the field effectively. Though shaded in the scrum in all other aspects their forwards were dominant. Some criticisms were some ill-judged kicking (kicking the ball away on a 2 – 1 overlap???) and some lack of discipline at times. Sometimes I think they may have tried to over do things when simplicity may have been the way to go. Their defence was very good. Judging by what numbers the players had on their backs it looked as though Knox were missing five of their regular firsts. Or perhaps at Knox, in the spirit of ‘positive thinking’ they allow the kids to wear any number they like, but I hope there isn’t an injury issue before the season almost starts.
The game was played in good spirit, both sides attacking and being enterprising. There were no penalty kicks at goal taken. In the picturesque surrounds of Breen Oval and in the sun it was a pleasant start to the day. And the coffee from the coffee van was more than adequate.
I am not certain when Knox last played at St Pats, but I think it may have been quite a few years and the game then was stopped short by the tragic death of one of the Knox players on the field. It has been mentioned in other threads about the history of St Pats playing CAS schools, but I am glad that schools do play outside their association. To allow the kids greater experiences and make the sport less insular. The game started with both sides a little disjointed, but St Pats found their rhythm and soon scored a good try to their 5/8 (I think). Their forwards out enthused and muscled the Knox forwards and the weight of possession and territory. The St Pats no8 looked impressive; combining power, strength and a willingness to confront the opposition. It would be hard to say which side was bigger, but the St Pats centers were sizeable and the front row looked the goods. Their power was evident in the scrum; which shaded the Knox scrum initially.
Though they were dominant for the first 15 or so minutes, St Pats could not score again. Their back line seemed to be one dimensional – passing with out advancing. Though this may have been due to the defence of Knox. Who, after the first try against them, covered well in defence. Surprisingly, on more than one occasion, the handling let both sides down. For the conditions there was a fair bit of dropped ball. As Knox became settled, they started moving down the field, using the pick and drive and some well considered kicking. This showed up on the score board and soon Knox had edged in front; a close range uncoverted try to even the score and then soon after a backline move from rusk ball to go 12 – 5 ahead. At that stage Knox lifted and went to halftime in a dominating position.
The second half started slow and both sides parried with out upsetting the scorer for the initial half of the half. Though Knox were looking the better side. Though the St Pats scrum was still more than holding their own. The St Pats 5/8 was a constant threat and Knox just held on a couple of times to avoid being scored against. However Knox lifted midway through and continued their try scoring. I believe in all their 13 scored a hat-trick. Late in the game St Pats a short range intercept – their 10, but they had worked their way into that position. Knox were starting to breach the defence on a regular basis, they had good counter attack and also started holding the ball more regularly. They scored a couple of good long range tries in which the forwards did strong build up work before releasing the backs. The final score was 45 – 12. Seven tries to two. For St Pats the 10 and 8 were the obvious stand outs. Though they were given good support by the rest of the team. I liked their front row and the team were enthusiastic and energetic. They may have suffered from a lack of depth (the St Pats 2nds lost 55 – 0) and thus the replacements didn’t necessarily add a great deal.
There were no obvious standouts in the Knox side. (Perhaps the 13 with his hat trick put up his hand though). They played with a ruthless efficiency, spread the ball effectively and used the width of the field effectively. Though shaded in the scrum in all other aspects their forwards were dominant. Some criticisms were some ill-judged kicking (kicking the ball away on a 2 – 1 overlap???) and some lack of discipline at times. Sometimes I think they may have tried to over do things when simplicity may have been the way to go. Their defence was very good. Judging by what numbers the players had on their backs it looked as though Knox were missing five of their regular firsts. Or perhaps at Knox, in the spirit of ‘positive thinking’ they allow the kids to wear any number they like, but I hope there isn’t an injury issue before the season almost starts.
The game was played in good spirit, both sides attacking and being enterprising. There were no penalty kicks at goal taken. In the picturesque surrounds of Breen Oval and in the sun it was a pleasant start to the day. And the coffee from the coffee van was more than adequate.
