NRC 2016 SF2: Rays v Spirit

[Hugh Jarse]

Brache over for the Spirit off a nice angled run and some rather average defence from the Rays.

Prior raises the flags. 21 minutes gone and Spirit storm back into this fixture.

Sydney Rays 16 Perth Spirit 14

 

[Lindommer]

So-so ruck from Spirit followed up by a beautiffuly-timed pass from Meakes to Blache, over next to the posts. 16-14, about 25mins gone.

 

[kiap]

Nice work, guys.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Fitzpatrick back on for the Rays. Must have been a blood bin.

Simone showing his class already.

Perth Spirit dominating possession and territory, into a strong Northerly wind!.

27 minutes gone.

 

[Lindommer]

Nice physical tussle in the Spirit 22m, play moveds up towards the half line, Rays put in a good kick on the Spirit 22m line. Spirit win a penalty from the ensuing lineout. Win lineout on their 10m line, hold the ball and run it into the Rays 22. Cough up penalty at a ruck breakdown. Rays clear to just inside their half.

 

[Lindommer]

It's a bit windy, sloppy long throw from the Rays not straight, Spirit scrum just in the Rays half. Then they drop it. Another scrum just in the Rays half. A coupla resets and then we're off. Spirit shunt scrum and win a penalty.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Love a good scrum munting and that Spirit scrum munting of the Rays is about as good as a munting gets.

Meat pie for Prior after a couple of phases after the scrum penalty.

Perth take the lead after 31 minutes, but the conversion attempt from Prior slips across the face of the goalposts.

Rays 16 Spirit 20.

 

[Lindommer]

Lineut 10m from Rays line, good ruck, nice forwards pod bang it up, hold the ball and go over on the other side 15m to the ight of the posts. Kick misses, 16-20. About 35mins gone.

 

[Lindommer]

Another kickoff buggered up, both sides knock on, scrum to Rays in Spirit half. Rays hold the ball, then Spirit pinch it and clear up to halfway.

 

[Lindommer]

Play bumbling along near halfway, lineout then scrum, quite hot, everyone's thinking about a break.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Perth Spirit continue to dominate possession and territory. Nice turnover from Hardwick to defuse a promising Rays raid into Spirit territory, about 5 metres out from Spirit tryline. Spirit grind it back upfield and on attack in the Rays half.

1 minute to Oranges.

Ross H-P knocks on, and Sir toots the tooter for Oranges.

 

[Lindommer]

Scrum right on halfway, Spirit win short-arm, play goes across the field and then they drop it. Another scrappy passage, finally the half-time whistle goes.

 

[kiap]

Good rugby. Halftime pics:

via Hans Orf:

via Brett McKay:

 

[Lindommer]

My fellow expert commentator isn't on deck this arvo, hobbled by domestic duties, so I'm on my own. Quite hot here at Rat Park, 25 degrees as I pulled up. Western stand pretty full (it is in the shade), 200 or so on the banks. Happy party atmosphere, rugby great to watch.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Prior scores his second for the afternoon off a chip and chase 2 minutes after Oranges.

Spirit 28 - Rays 16.

 

[Lindommer]

AC/DC bang out TNT as the second half starts, Spirit kick to the Rays in-goal, 2 clearance just in the Rays half, Spirit kick to the goal-line fortuitous bounce and Prior scores next to the posts. 16-28.

 

[Lindommer]

Another retained kickoff, wonders will never cease, kick back-and-forth, Spirit push play to just outside Rays 22m. Rays win lineout and kick back into Spirit half. play moves to the far side where Rays attack Spirit line, win 5m scrum.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Rays finally on attack after a loose offload from Tapuae is pounced on by the rays.

5 metre scrum to the Rays.

Another 5 m scrum to the Rays as a penalty option.

Yellow Card to Meakes deliberate knock down, and the Rays opt for the scrum as a penalty option.

Knock on by Sinclair ruins the attack.

 

[Lindommer]

Rays win scrum, hold ball and win penalty 5m out right in front. Take scrum, Meakes attempts intercept, cops cheese.

 

[kiap]

It's all happening