A perfect day with firm conditions and a large crowd were present at The Southport School (TSS) old boy’s day as they greeted Nudgee College (NC) on the Gold Coast. They were there to witness a must win game for NC, to keep their premiership hopes alive, and for the home team to see whether they could continue the undefeated run to another stand alone premiership, the first since 2007.
The TSS team was mostly unchanged from last week and NC was welcoming back Gavin Luka (knee) at #3 and Liam Richman (shoulder) starting at #10.
First half
Nudgee dictated most of the first half with a wonderful display of ball control and retention to build possession and pressure on TSS; with Southport relegated to do the majority of the defending. There were numerous attacking runs from most their forwards and some wonderful incisive running from the sleek backs.
It was after a penalty in the 5th minute and a lineout midway between the 10m and 22m that NC made some decisive inroads towards the TSS line. Nudgee moved the ball from one side to the other and back again and after 10 completed phases Kalala Meni (#6) made a move to the inside of the TSS #14 causing him to leave his wing and with a simple pass allowed Willie Malala (#11) to score out wide untouched. Liam Richman (#10) converted a difficult kick to make the score 7-0 to NC.
Nudgee controlled the next 10 minutes of the match camped in the TSS half. It wasn’t until a elusive, determined run by TSS’s Carl Gooch (#11) pushed deep into the NC half. Several rucks later Jordan Lenac (#9) ran the ball to the centre of the field, straightened, fended his opposite number drew the fullback and passed to Noah Lolesio (#12) to score 10m from the posts on the left hand side of the field. The conversion was successful by Hayden Sargeant (#14) and we were locked up at 7 all after 18 minutes.
From the kickoff Nudgee were able to take control of the ball and four phases later, attacking the left hand flank, Reece Hewat (#8) was able to shrug off some would be high tackles to barge his way over. The conversion was successful by Richman (#10) and the score was 14-7 to Nudgee.
Nudgee controlled the rest of the half. Even when TSS were able to get out of there half, errand lineout throwing (three in a row) immediately took the pressure off NC and they were able to sustain some hard running into the TSS defense. A decisive run by Willie Malala (#11) pushed NC deep into the TSS danger zone. Attacking the left-hand corridor again a wide pass from Jack Smith (#9) to Reece Hewat (#8) where he was able to shimmy, run between the TSS centres and score his second try of the afternoon. The conversion was unsuccessful and left a score line of 19-7 to Nudgee.
Half Time NC 19 TSS 7
TSS was not able to retain possession as fluently as Nudgee. Dropped ball and poor line outs enabled Nudgee to nullify any advance from an impressive TSS #9, 10, 12 & 13 combinations. It was becoming obvious that Nudgee was targeting the left hand side of the field and there plan had paid handsome dividends with 3 pokey pies! If the fortunes of TSS did not pick up in the second half I’m afraid it could be like Custer’s last stand for them. Nudgee hadn’t been beaten this year with such a commanding lead at half time and there was a feeling in the air that this one may have slipped from TSS’s grasp already. Or has it?
Second half
The second half started well for TSS with an error for Nudgee (kick-off out on the full) and this gave TSS the potential momentum change. From the scrum, subsequent penalty and lineout they were able to gain the traction they were looking for. They rucked the ball inside the NC 22m and a half break from Tipene Mavoa (#6) who offloaded to Emry Pere (#8) who was tackled 10m out. A well directed pass found Tyler Campbell (#10) who aimed between the defenders, broke the tackles and dragged the Nudgee #9 over the line for a well deserved try! The conversion was successful by Hayden Sargeant (#14) and after 4 minutes it was 19-14. GAME ON!
However the TSS lineout again let them down and when Jack Smith (#9) took the “over-thrown” ball and scooted passed to Kalala Meni (#6) for a 20m run the subsequent infringement at the break-down allowed Liam Richman (#10) to land a penalty 26m out to take the score to 22-14 in favour of NC in the 8th minute.
TSS had to be the next to score. From the kick-off TSS were able to gain some more attacking control. A good step and 20m run from Dylan Riley (#13) and the combination of Angus Allen (#7) with two good pick n drives and Emery Pere (#8) TSS were all of a sudden 15m out and in a great position to score. A penalty ensued and again Riley was starting to inject himself into the play, however the Nudgee defense was equal to the task and were actually making their defense an offensive tool with driving tackles.
The defensive pressure led to a poor pass, a dropped ball, which was scooped up by Semisi Topou (#13) flicked to TJ Meni (#14) whom took the tackle. Jack Smith (#9) seeing TSS was short on the right gave it to Sam Armstrong (#15) who ran 60m in a fast but effortless run which eluded the defense to offload to Semisi Topou (#13) to score under the posts. The conversion from Richman (#13) was successful and NC led 29-14 after 13 minutes.
There was a hush over the ground. Nudgee had controlled the game on their terms to date and you never felt that TSS was going to threaten or were they? TSS pressed on and aided by infringements were able to perform probably the cleanest backline movement of the game with a draw n pass sequence that landed Sargeant (#14) , 15m out. Not only was it a wonderful movement of some 50m but also landed Gavin Luka (#3) a yellow card (no arms in a tackle). Now for those points!
The fourth penalty midway into the 22m was the decisive one. TSS took a scrum and five rucks later Tipene Movoa (#6) was OVER! with a good pick n drive. The conversion was unsuccessful leaving the score at 29-19 to NC. TSS wanted to play the game down Nudgee’s end, however ball retention from Nudgee allowed them to enter the TSS 22m on several occasions. It was only infringements that kept TSS out of their half and sometimes only briefly. A penalty to Nudgee in the 30th minute gave them the opportunity to seal the match; the kick was about 29m out 10m to the left of the posts. Liam Richman comes in, oh it’s just out to the right and dead.
After the restart the game again went into a pattern of where NC controlled possession and spent a majority of time inside The TSS half. There was a fleeting moment where Lenac (#9) spotted a hole and ran to the NC 22m but the play broke down after the ruck with a knock-on. The last 4 minutes belonged to TSS with a number of penalties in their favour and with the weight of possession that were finally able to tell on a tired Nudgee defense. A penalty taken, was given to Mavoa (#6) who popped the ball to Emry Pere (#8) who beat two tackles (running 20m) to score. The conversion was successful.
Full Time: NC 29- TSS 26
The wrap-up
Nudgee controlled the game from the outset. They dominated the lineout with Tom Zappala (#7) and Reece Hewat (#8) taking two each against the throw and the TSS lineout never really getting off the ground (at least 5 ill directed throws). Both scrums were solid with the return of Gavin Luka (#3) assisting NC in this regard.
The back row for Nudgee set the platform for the game with their tackling, runs and line breaks. The break-down was fairly even with two apiece. In the backs it was much a much closer affair with both sets of backs making some good run and dynamic vision shown at times. Both had their opportunities and individual brilliance was on show.
In the end, Nudgee always kept one step ahead of TSS and ground out a well deserved win.
The players
TSS
#1 Dechlan Day tackled, supported all day as did #2 Finn McElroy. The #6 Tipene Mavoa never gave up, tackled, ran well, good at the break-down. The #7 Angus Allen had a really good game, best on field for TSS, a captains knock. #8 Pere, had some good runs and line breaks, but needs to lift his work rate. Lenac #9 well made decisions and vision, if the forwards had more ball control and go forward he would be an even bigger danger. #10 Campbell a classy fly half, can smell a play a mile away. #11 Carl Gooch well there not much of this kid, but if determination was the prize he would get it; sparked TSS into action when he could & #13 Riley some great running and defense, needs more ball!
NC
#3 Gavin Luka had a good game; scrimmaged low, hard and well, ran hard and tackled well. #6 Kalala Meni, my Man of the Match and BP award; after a quite week or two, back to his best. Ran hard n well, line breaks, never gave an inch #7 Tom Zappala controlled the lineout, few good runs and tackled well #8 Reece Hewat well he’s Reece Hewat need I say more. Another wonderful captains "knock". The wins enough reward for him. #10 Richman had a good first game back added form to the backline; #12 Tony Hunt. If Richman added the form, then Tony added the starch, best game for a while close to man of the match. Had a job controlling some very good opposition and did it with style. #11 Willie Malala, #13 Semisi Tupou, #14 TJ Meni & #15 Sam Armstrong: well they all just having fun. They make rugby worth watching, nice lines, good in defence, elusive.