The sage
Vay Wilson (31)
MINOR SEMI-FINAL
BROTHERS v UQ
The Battle of The Team of Champions verses a Champion Team??
I must admit that earlier on in the season I thought UQ would be the team to beat for the Premiership: the cattle on the field, the reserve cattle, The Bloody Academy and even the kitchen sink. But this match was there Waterloo. All the positives like their structure, their line-out height advantage and even their hands in broken play let them down. Instead there was 2 obstruction calls, 4 losses in the line-out (out of 10 attempts) and dropped ball during critical broken play possession. Not that they were the only culprits. Brothers also made a lot of turnovers: 15 in fact during the game and mostly from dropped ball.
The game in general was played at a phonetic pace and there was plenty of counter-attacking, particularly from UQ, which emanated from deep within their own half. However on at least 3 occasions where a try was begging for them the last pass always seemed to go to ground. Hence the feeling from the Brothers camp, that they were never out of it until midway through the second half. Line speed from Brothers in defense was good for the whole game and this may have been a decisive factor in why not too many set play breaks were made by UQ.
The games opening try came from a set piece with a dynamic and hard run from Tony Hunt which he willed his way over the line with 3 defenders attached; a powerful and determined run. The try was converted to give a score of 7-0 UQ's way. The next two tries went to Brothers, the first was a general play movement with a great effort by Brothers #11 to fend off the high UQ defense and score. The second was a wonderful team try and the movement involved their #5, #7 and #1 who scored wide out. Half time 12-7 to Brothers.
The second half started much as the first half with plenty of attacking opportunities for UQ after a couple of penalties and heaps of possession early on. But time and again Brothers repelled the attack and for the third time in the game were held up over the line. In the ensuing attack they were not able to hold onto the ball and Brothers made a relieving kick. The line-out saw a crooked throw and Brothers had the ball, but only briefly. From the line-out UQ had their chance but a game changing tackle by Brothers #10 stopped the attack and from the ensuing ball an intercept try was accepted by a fleet foot #15 (if rugby is played in heaven, then god himself orchestrated that tackle). THIS WAS THE TURNING POINT OF THE GAME. Brothers up 17-7.
From that point on wards Brothers seemed to have the run of the ball and they were becoming the broken play specialists in the game. After a cynical foul (yellow card #4?) Brothers decided to take a scrum 10 m from the line. With a simple move to the left the #11 scored again in the corner, breaking though flimsy defense. 22-7 to Brothers.
UQ had there opportunities from Brothers errors and a few penalties, however there play in attack, was pedestrian and easy for the Brothers defense to read. The relieving penalty and subsequent play was all one way traffic with wave after wave of attack; Uni holding on by the skin of their teeth. UQ was unable to get out of their half effectively and a further line-out error allowed Brothers to attack. This lead to another try, after a scrum (after Brothers were held up over the line), with a wrap around move in which the #9 scored in the corner. Conversion successful Brothers lead 29-7. UQ had some further chances but the Brothers defense and another poor UQ line-out throws lead to turn-overs. The final try was another wonderful team effort from halfway: again the #5, #1 and #7 involved. This lead to a pass to the #11 for his third try.
Final Score Brothers 34 UQ 7.
TURNING POINTS
Brothers defense in the final 5 minutes of the first half where they held-up UQ twice. The "flat track bullies" were not getting their own way today.
That tackle #10 and the subsequent #15 intercept try.
Other Notes
Scrums were fairly even with no tight heads and only 13 in the match. A big congratulations to the Ref for this; he played the advantage well and in some instance where he may have given a penalty (in the case of the held up tries and maul/rucks close to the line) he instead opted for a scrum to the attacking team. A BIG TICK TO HIM. Penalties were 7-6 in favour of UQ.
Line-outs were won convincingly by Brothers with only 1 loss from 11, whist UQ lost 4 from 10. The general kicking of the Brothers #10 and #15 was outstanding all day, and keep the UQ momentum at bay.
Wish James McMillian a speedy recovery after a knee injury forced him from the field in the first half.
Beat For Brothers: 1, 5, 6, 7, 10, 11 (3 meatpies!) and 15
For UQ: 4, 9, 12 and 15
A good game of rugby, despite the turnover rate from both teams. A well deserved win by Brothers who now face Bond Uni in the Preliminary Finals.
