A "special" 3's match report with the Father of the 3's Comp in mind. To assist "Father Jim" Belshaw's early "triangulations" to spot a winner for the 3's in Season 2016, noting his beloved TAS take on Kings away in next week's Round 2, and host Scots at home in Round 3 the week after.
3's Round 1: Kings v Scots
(*Players named are per Program issued, so if I have any wrong, apologies, but send any writs to the publisher!)
Some big cattle took to Kings' main JS White pasture at 1pm, including a change for Scots' front-row oxen, with George Feros (1) coming in and Matt Grant (2) sliding across one for sick/injured skipper Frazer Duff. With Mitch Smith (3) locking down their scrum, Scots looked unlikely to be pushed off the ball in the bovine set pieces.
The Scots lads started like the afternoon - wide and bright.
A joyful sweep down the left featured new LHP Feros (1) handling a number of times and backing up like all good loosies, thwarted by some excellent Kings red-zone defence.
Scots left-wing Charlie Baker (11) made a scything run down the touchline before cutting to Nick Redman (9) trailing inside to open the scoring near the posts. Some goal-kicking yips, and Scots led 5-0 after 15'.
Kings live-wire FB, Jeremy Barton (15), coming out of the darkness of the Massie Flats training ovals, revealed himself early with sure handling, elusive run-backs, and accurate kicks away, and Kings settled into their task.
20' in, Scots failed to clear their line. Turnover ball went through Kings' hands quickly and accurately, winding up with left-wing Declan Murdoch (11) who pinned his ears back from 15m-20m out. Like good wingers do, he dialled in his laser guidance system to the 1 square foot just inside the corner post, and ignored Scots' closing cover. Scores tied up at 5-5.
Kings were showing more patience, keeping ball in hand and up-front when inside the Scots 22. They picked and drove well with IC Finn McCullagh (12) taking a hit-up drive and going in amongst some heavy goal-line traffic. Attempted conversion slid left, and Kings led 10-5.
As in the opening, the last 5' of the Half was all Scots, pressing deep into the Kings red-zone, but again, some excellent Kings D and Scots pushing their final passes, saw them denied converting that pressure into points before oranges.
Half-time: Kings 10 - Scots 5
Early 2nd half, Kings left-wing, Declan Murdoch (11), sliced all the way back inside through a goodly number of flailing Scots hands and arms to dot down next to the posts. An easy conversion and Kings were up 17-5. Reflected glory from Scots' fortnight ago final Thirds trial game win over Kings, 38-17, had well and truly been consigned to the dustbin of Father Jim's Thirds' Almanac.
Scots' Julian Boscoe (12), often playing first receiver, was bursting blood vessels taking on the Kings line, and the battle up-front was being keenly fought with Scots front-row showing an array of Dark Arts skills. The Scots pack, generally, was getting on top in the set pieces, but the Kings defensive line across their backs was holding firm.
Sustained Scots pressure in the Kings red-zone was converted with Julian Boscoe (12) drawing two tacklers close to King' line, and pop-passing inside to a perfectly positioned Ollie Rich (No.8) loitering with intent for a crash-over try. Charlie Gulliver (15) converted. Kings 17-12 with time aplenty left.
For the last quarter of the game, it was a tussle of pressure, growing fatigue and the sands of time disappearing ever more quickly for the Scots lads, though with a sense that if they could keep hold of the ball, Scots may well have the Kingsmens' measure.
But it wasn't to be for the Scotsmen, and full credit to Kings.
Instead of building sustained phase-ball pressure, the Blue & Gold were chancing their arm through the backs, often pushing the final passes and running in to heavy Kings' midfield defence, especially their solid IC, Finn McCullagh (12). And on the back-foot, the Scots lads were hoofing the pill away into the ever-eager hands of Kings' well-drilled back 3 of Jeremy Barton (15), left-wing Declan Murdoch (11) and right-wing Hamish Cranney (14).
Final score: Kings 17 def. Scots 12
Best for Scots: George Feros (1), relished his call-up assignment in the Scots 3's re-fashioned front row; Julian Boscoe (12), was everywhere and tried his guts out; and the twin tower brothers of Ben Norman (4) and Flyn Kilby (5).
Best for Kings: Finn McCullagh (12), especially his outstanding mid-field D; Angus Robertson (7), tireless; and Jeremy Barton (15) so solid down back.
Will look forward to reading Father Jim's take on next week's Round 2 clash.
