Went out to Stanmore today and saw two fantastic, nail-biting games of rugby.
In the 2nds Newington scored a try on the bell to snatch the game 15-12. Riverview had led 12-10 for most of the half, but Newington pounded their line for the last 15 minutes or so. It looked as if the Riverview defence would hold, then the ball went wide an inexplicably a New player went for the line himself from 5m out, with an unmarked winger outside him. The Riverview defence scrambled and held out again. Just as it looked Riverview had survived, the ball went wide to the hill side of the field and the Newington winger went over in the corner as he was tackled. After consutling the AR, the referee gave the try. The conversion was unsuccessful and the referee then blew full-time. New 15 - Vew 12.
The firsts followed a similar pattern, with Riverview scoring early from a quick tap, before New hit back with a couple of tries. For the duration of the match both teams dominated 10 minute periods and looked as though they would win, before the opposition fought back. New led for most of the match, but two late tries to Riverview saw them go to a 38-37 lead with about 5 minutes to go. New then sparked back to life and threw everything at Riverview, but the defence held. Newington missed a penalty from in front and it looked like they had missed their chance. From a deep drop out they surged back and the fullback was brought down 5m short of the tryline with a winger unmarked outside. There were a succession of attacks before the Newington hooker suddenly picked the ball up, saw no-one in front of him and ran 5 metres for the deciding try.
Some younger oldboys behind the posts ran onto the field to congratulate the scorer, which led to more boys running on. The Newington teachers cleared them back, but it was an unfortunate blemish on an otherwise fantastic game of rugby. New missed the conversion (again), and the referee blew fulltime - Newington 42 - Riverview 38.
Both teams deserve credit for a first class display of rugby skills and committment. Gee Riverview know how to be involved in these high-scoring games - unfortunately they just seem to fall short at the final whistle.
9 for Riverview was their best - orchestrated most of their attack, always dangerous from quick taps and the base of rucks. 15 and 2 best for Newington, 15 has feet like Fred Astaire and 2 just superb making metres in attack and dominant in defence. A game which could have gone either way - had they lost New would certainly have rued numerous missed goal kicks.