I think that is one of the more interesting selections. A No.10 in the comp leading team being selected out of position. Renton will do well at 15. This is a boy who doesn't seem to mind the pressure or challenge of a big match-up so it will be great to see how things work out in round 2 when Barker and Cranbrook play next.I'm not mentioning it anymore
CAS selections were interesting - only one Aloysius player which is probably in line with results
The backline looks great Renton appears to be have given the nod and fullback
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It was a tough forwards game and a few of this forum's questions answered today.
Line out - dominated by Cranbrook
Scrums - dominated by Cranbrook
Both sides very disciplined. Knox tough and strong around the scrum but not good enough today. Knox and Cranbrook backlines had a great tussle with both playing a wide, confident game. The Cranbrook try off the Renton kick with a wicked bounce to McNiven and then onto Edelstein was my highlight - the 14 from Cranbrook runs on 240 volts!
Many comments this week about Knox's game style and running away with it in the second half. 15 unanswered points from Cranbrook in 2nd half.
On a serious note: the 10 from Knox was taken off on a board. A great concern for all. Can only hope that it was nothing serious. He competed very well the whole game. Any news on his condition would be very welcome.
It will be rugby league's challenge to fix that unfortunately.My points
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2 points . Connor Watson . What footwork and turn of speed . Only worry for longer term higher honours, is his lack of size
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Is he not playing union going forwardIt will be rugby league's challenge to fix that unfortunately.
Great report mate, interesting choice of sign-off name
HIP HIP HOORAY!I appreciate the opportunity to use this forum for it's intended use, to communicate issues to people who are genuinely interested.
Today, for the first time, I was the rugby parent with my boy lying on the ground not moving. It's a daunting feeling. I saw exactly what happened and it was all part of the hard and tough nature of rugby. I knew he was hurt and I just hoped he was ok. The medical staff at the ground were very professional and knew exactly how to handle the injury. He was taken to St Vincent's and they checked him out thoroughly. Fortunately he was cleared of any serious neck injury and after observation was allowed to go home.
Thank you for your concern and thank you to the medical staff at Cranbrook today. They were as good as both teams were today when put to the test. I'm already looking forward to the game on August 3 at Knox!
Not sure of how many players did return to the Trinity outfit but I managed to catch Barker's star player - Nick Burkett - red carded! That's correct. At the beginning of the 2nd half, score 18-12 to Trinity and the barker Vice Captain was red carded for collapsing a mall (having apparently already received a yellow card prior). I nearly left at that moment because I didn't want to witness the massacre that would follow.
Im new to posting but I'd just like to give my 2 cents worth on the Knox v Cranbrook 1st XV game. The atmosphere at Hordern was intense, coming of a draw from the 2nd's game, everyone was fired up and ready to watch the game. The Cranbrook supporters were out in numbers (which is to be expected i suppose) however i was quite disappointed with the lack of Knox supporters (even though they had to make a trip down from the deep north, Barker still managed a fair few supporters down at Hordern).
The first 30 minutes of the game set the tone for what was to become one of the greatest games in the CAS this year (possibly this decade??) or the most riveting. Possession went back and forth between the both sides as they tested out their opponents and looked for their weaknesses. Some great running from both sides, but Knox were putting in the hard effort to get over the line. A late try in the second half to Knox's number 4 changed the course of the game. After a breathtaking individual run, Watson (13) scored for Knox immediately off the restart. From here it seemed that it was going to be a blow out from then on (Which would be well deserved for Knox who displayed an impeccable performance). In the first half, Knox played a tactical, hard hitting game which saw them go over the line twice and they deserved to be winners. It was this point that a Knox supporter pointed out their unforgiving second halves and their passion for the game. I believed every word of it. In the first half, the standout players were definitely 13.Watson (K), 2.Widders Leece (K), and 14.Edelstein (C), although it was very much a team effort with all 30 men on the field giving it their all.
Half-time score: 12-0 to Knox
The second half of the game started with the same intensity as the first half, and it became clear to me that the wise words of the Knox supporter may not have been all to true. Again the start of the second half saw a tough tussle between the two CAS forces as they relentlessly battered their opponents lines. A try to Studdy (11) for Cranbrook was the result of great running from Cranbrook and was the perfect example of their 'field position' style of play. This try was exactly what Cranbrook needed to motivate them and keep them fighting for the victory. A missed conversion from Renton (10) damaged his almost perfect kicking record but seemed to have little effect on his confidence (promising signs for him no doubt). Score 12-5. Knox quickly hit back, and all credit to them they looked exceptionally dangerous, especially in the centres. Every time Knox spread it wide, they looked certain to score. Some magnificent cover tackles from Edelstein (14), Studdy (11) and Wilson (15) meant Cranbrook weren't down by 5 tries. Shortly after Studdy (11) scored for Cranbrook, they were over the line again in one of the most spectacular plays i have seen in school boy rugby. Renton (10) kicks the ball from the 50 metre line and the bounce favours McNiven (12) who picks it up on the run. McNiven offloads to Speedy Gonzales Edelstein (14) who beats the winger and manages to hold his balance and get over the line. Renton easily converts this and the scores become locked up at 12-12, with Cranbrook scoring 12 unanswered points. I looked for the Knox supporter but he was not available for comment. These two tries from Cranbrook settled the score and added an extra intensity to the already enormous game. During this time period, impact player Summerhayes (6) for Cranbrook was sent off due to unsportsman-like play (from my view it looked like he kicked the ball in the ruck while running back and kicked someone in the face) which was a fair decision by the referee. This
As the battle between Cranbrook (David) and Knox (Goliath) entered its final 20 minutes, Hordern became a fortress to Cranbrook, no tries were let in, and their defence was amazing. Their defence was amazing for three reasons. 1. Knox attack was by far the best i've seen in the comp, and it would've taken a semi-trailer to stop the likes of Price (14), Widders-Leece (2), Watson (13), Williams (12) and Swinton (5) (although every player was dangerous with the ball). 2. They managed to defend in their own half for most of the 20 minutes, not giving in to the pressure once. 3. They were a man down, and faced an firing Knox backline, who in previous games are unforgivable if they have room (i haven't watched any games prior, but im just going off what i hear on the grapevine).
The final few minutes of the game sums up the match beautifully. After play had been stopped due to injury (Number 10 for Knox, hope to god that he is okay and has a speedy recovery), a scrum was called in favour of Knox. A quick look at the clock made me realise that we were in the final minute of the game, and a draw was imminent. Both teams looked worn, however body language suggested neither team would give in, and they would have a final crack, and boy was the crowd in for a treat. The scrum is packed down and the Cranbrook scrum dominated the Knox scrum, which is a testament to their scrums all game. The Cranbrook halfback sacked the Knox halfback and the ball was shortly stolen by Cranbrook's Summerhayes, who had returned from the sideline 5 minutes prior. Renton was given the ball and kicked straight away, which in a game this close was probably the wrong option, especially with Knox's over-powering attack. The ball was once again turned over by Cranbrook's Stenmark (4), and a penalty was awarded to Cranbrook for not releasing the ball. Renton opted to take the points (he was standing on the 15 metre line, and about 35-40 metres out. Silence fell over Hordern as the clock ran over-time, with Renton lining up to take his kick. Cranbrook's stands filed out to the sideline while awaiting Renton's kick. A beautiful strike of the ball saw it swing right and went straight through the posts. Cranbrook 15 to Knox 12. The whole oval erupted in cheers as the seconds bench ran on to surround the 1st's, while a swarm of Cranbrook boys raced across the field to join the 1st's and 2nd's huddle.
Like i said before, this game was one of the greatest games of schoolboy rugby i have ever watched with both sides performing out of their skin, the result could've gone either way. Cranbrook scored 15 unanswered points in the second-half to take the win, but the game went down to the wire, and what a way to finish. From Knox, Watson (13) had an amazing game and looked to score every time he touched the ball, Widders-Leece (2) also had an amazing game with some great line-out throws and unstoppable momentum and Price (14) also played a brilliant game with his catching and kicking under pressure. For Cranbrook, Edelstein (14) played out of his skin, with amazing defence, dragging down the biggest blokes, McCombe (5) and Stenmark (4) both had an outstanding game in the second row, and Studdy (11) also played a magnificent game which saw him rise to the occasion. He played much better than he has played before.
I am deeply sorry for the incredibly long post, but this game was too good to skip out any detail. My MVP for the match goes to Edelstein (14) for Cranbrook who epitomised Cranbrook's performance in the David V Goliath battle. Smallest kid on the field, dragged down every one of the Knox team with ease. This being said, Watson (13) for Knox also had a blinder and should be highly commended for his outstanding performance.
Thanks for reading, any feedback would be appreciated
Big Kev
Im new to posting but I'd just like to give my 2 cents worth ....
The second half of the game started with the same intensity as the first half, and it became clear to me that the wise words of the Knox supporter may not have been all to true. Again the start of the second half saw a tough tussle between the two CAS forces as they relentlessly battered their opponents lines. A try to Studdy (11) for Cranbrook was the result of great running from Cranbrook and was the perfect example of their 'field position' style of play. This try was exactly what Cranbrook needed to motivate them and keep them fighting for the victory. A missed conversion from Renton (10) damaged his almost perfect kicking record but seemed to have little effect on his confidence (promising signs for him no doubt). Score 12-5.
Cranbrook 15 Knox 12
Two tries apiece. Cranbrook won with a penalty on full time and did all their scoring in the 2nd half. Knox held scoreless
Cranbrook took strong in the forwards
...
Thanks for reading, any feedback would be appreciated
Big Kev