What a game at Scots!
Best I had seen this season. Both teams belting the snot out of one another with no winner guaranteed even though the tipping ran heavily to the Joeys lads. A bumper crowd, an insane tunnel, some bloke without a shirt yelling something and both schools cheering very loudly. Great atmosphere and was well worth the illegal park made in the staff car park. (Good to know these old nooks and crannies)
From the onset both teams were like heavyweight boxers, not wanting to over commit and give the opposition an opening to exploit and hence kicking dominated for field position. #12 from Scots has the biggest kick I have seen this year and he played full back, switching with Fittler time to time. Joeys were having a hard time to make ground in the backs with the Joeys #13 well contained. Joeys eventually started to focus on the middle channel of the field and ground their way forward using the smaller forwards but staying low to the ground as much as possible so the Scots lads would wrap them up.. Fowler was very astute in his kicking, Joeys did score in the 32nd minute with a quick piece of thinking of the Joeys #7 who took a cheeky tap and dove over while the Scots lads were thinking of oranges. (For the record, he shook every hand before the game)
Second half was when both teams loosened their shoulders and really start to swing at one another. Scots unleashed "the beast" and #15 and #12 combined very well in the centres breaking tackles easily. Joeys in response released "the Kracken" and started to use the width and test the lateral movement of Scots. The smaller Joeys boys did everything they could to hang on. Joeys bravest was their #9 who must be considered the form halfback of the year. He tackled elephants, giants and kicked very well. Scots started to use their superior size and speed to wear Joeys down and the points soon came. Scots hit the lead with some excellent line out work (number 5 was incredible) and they converted their chances. Joeys at one stage lost 5 line outs against the throw as the "skylab" of Scots 5 was impossible to go over. The Joeys boys only try came from their one visit to the Scots 22m. It was brutal and had little style but the Joeys #1 only knows one way and he got the job done. The last 10 minutes were pulsating as Scots launched raid upon raid on the Joeys lads. They had all the ball. This was when the smaller cattle dogs started to shine. They were able to get to the breakdown quicker and they refused to let go of the ball like any good cattle dog would do, despite the size of the beast they brought down and those who were trying to smash them off the "carcass". Three penalties in a row hurt Scots as they had the ball in a scoring position with Joeys looking to go down but Scots couldn't get to the breakdown quick enough to support their mates and the ball was turned over. In the end two heavyweights still stood facing each other fittingly in the centre of the field.
Well done to both teams.
BBQ? Could do better but lovely service from a mum who's son I taught at Scots .
Nice to be welcomed again.
Finally, I had a very quick catch up with Subbie. Thanks for saying hello. Looking forward to next time.