Well said Snort. The Cranbrook 1sts are a very disciplined and confident team. Their structure sees them make use of every one of their 15 players. There was a lot of kicking in the first half but it looked more like an indication of just how calculating that team play - very mature. They aren't looking to score tries - they want to win and their responses are all tactical. I've seen it twice now against Waverley last week also. They will play to their structure and when they are confident that the game is theirs then they'll play a more natural game.
Interestingly, the 2nds game was very different and I'd suggest that the only touch their wingers got in the whole game was the one time that it resulted in a try. There must be 15 boys there who are desperate to be a part of that 1sts squad.
I haven't seen Cranbrook play this year but this talk about structured play was exactly what I was thinking when I watched Knox play Trinity a couple of rounds ago.
Kicking from their 22, going for field position, and only unleashing the back line in opposition territory. Only late in the second half, when the game was well and truly won, did they start throwing the ball around.
I'm curious as to whether this level of discipline and structure, at school boys level, is what a professional coaching set up brings. Does Cranbrook have a similar coaching structure?