Hugh Jarse
Rocky Elsom (76)
Southern Districts Reports - Round 10
Finally a home game at Forshaw. It was a good sunny day with a strong wind blowing straight down the field, which was going to add that little bit of extra twist to the days games.
The 18s kicked of the morning with a strong win over Gordon at Boronia Park, Chatswood. The scoreline of 24 to 19 reflects the closeness of the game. Well done to the boys on continuing their unbeaten run, and well done to Cooper Harris on his 4 tries, but I am sure his team mates will say he had the easy bit and they did all the hard work.
The Colts guys had trained well during the week and knew the importance of the days games with all sides in battles with Eastwood to stay in the semi final race.
3rds for once had a settled side and took to the field confident they had done the work during the week. Running against the breeze, started the best they have all year with Tylah Pritchard scoring a nice try with one of his renowned power runs and duly converted, a nice start to the game.
Slowly, slowly Eastwood worked their way back into the game. The Souths boys started to give away penalties and make errors at crucial times. Eastwood scored the next 10 points which was looking like a winning score, but with minutes to go Khalid crashed over for a converted try to put Souths in the lead.
Eastwood threw everything at Souths in the last couple of minutes but couldn't get the try they needed. Souths were 14 to 10 victors. Not pretty, but a gutsy win. We were more than happy to take the 4 competition points.
2nds ran out to take advantage of running with the wind and needed to be at least 14 points in front at halftime. The pressure of this seemed to play on their minds as they had a very mixed first 35 minutes.
Souths were very unlucky not to have scored a couple of times in the first few minutes, but a lot of poor running lines, running across field, dropped ball and turn-overs, they were making the game very difficult for themselves. Eastwood were able to take advantage of our inaccuracies, and a try to them of a Souths dropped ball summed up the 1st half performance.
The 2nd half wasn't much better with the team starting to play more as 15 individuals. Our forwards making too many hit ups and clogging up the backline, backs running with little purpose and across field. Finally a very simple hands across the backline after some quick recycling of the ball, put winger Tom Evans over the line for a really nice Rugby try. Unfortunately, It wasn't enough with Eastwood winning 15 to 5 with our 2nds in real danger of missing the finals.
1sts had the advantage of running with the wind and needed to start well and play with high intensity in defence. Eastwood are a big forward pack and the scrum was going to play a major part of the game, with Rahboni out injured we lost that extra bit of grunt, but the Souths scrum had the Eastwood scrum buckling under pressure all game. This allowed our backs to work off some good ball and after 20 minutes we had scored 3 good tries and were looking comfortable in attack and defense, but there were signs of concern at the breakdown and we were starting to make too many handling errors.
Eastwood took advantage of this and scored a nice try and kicked a penalty goal. We responded with the bonus point 4th try and a 24 to 8 half time lead which was a fair indication of the game, but Eastwood now had the wind advantage.
Eastwood posted 2 tries in the 1st 8 minutes as the handling errors of the 1st half continued. We were not dealing with running into the wind and didn't know whether to kick or run.
At 24 to 22 Souths way and with 30 minutes to play, Eastwood had all the momentum and if you were placing a bet, Eastwood were red hot favourites. Ticker, spirit and pride in their jersey is something the Souths boys have in bucket loads. It was a case of playing tough and a try to us helped extend our lead 29 to 22, however we really needed another score. Eastwood showed their determination and it really was playing for sheep stations stuff by both sides. Eastwood were next to score and at 29 all with 10 to go it was keep chewing the finger nails stuff.
Finally, after 4 tough weeks the Rugby Gods smiled on us as William Latu was able to power his way over in the corner with only a few minutes left on the clock. Eastwood had one last charge camped on our line, with our supporters finger nails starting to bleed from being chewed to the first knuckle, a turn-over had the game won.
Well done to both clubs the days games were played in great spirit and we get to do it all again in 3 weeks at TG Milner.
Player of the day goes to all the injured players whom made their return to the playing field. Welcome back!
https://www.facebook.com/southerndistricts.rugbyunion.colts/posts/882836041752931:0
Finally a home game at Forshaw. It was a good sunny day with a strong wind blowing straight down the field, which was going to add that little bit of extra twist to the days games.
The 18s kicked of the morning with a strong win over Gordon at Boronia Park, Chatswood. The scoreline of 24 to 19 reflects the closeness of the game. Well done to the boys on continuing their unbeaten run, and well done to Cooper Harris on his 4 tries, but I am sure his team mates will say he had the easy bit and they did all the hard work.
The Colts guys had trained well during the week and knew the importance of the days games with all sides in battles with Eastwood to stay in the semi final race.
3rds for once had a settled side and took to the field confident they had done the work during the week. Running against the breeze, started the best they have all year with Tylah Pritchard scoring a nice try with one of his renowned power runs and duly converted, a nice start to the game.
Slowly, slowly Eastwood worked their way back into the game. The Souths boys started to give away penalties and make errors at crucial times. Eastwood scored the next 10 points which was looking like a winning score, but with minutes to go Khalid crashed over for a converted try to put Souths in the lead.
Eastwood threw everything at Souths in the last couple of minutes but couldn't get the try they needed. Souths were 14 to 10 victors. Not pretty, but a gutsy win. We were more than happy to take the 4 competition points.
2nds ran out to take advantage of running with the wind and needed to be at least 14 points in front at halftime. The pressure of this seemed to play on their minds as they had a very mixed first 35 minutes.
Souths were very unlucky not to have scored a couple of times in the first few minutes, but a lot of poor running lines, running across field, dropped ball and turn-overs, they were making the game very difficult for themselves. Eastwood were able to take advantage of our inaccuracies, and a try to them of a Souths dropped ball summed up the 1st half performance.
The 2nd half wasn't much better with the team starting to play more as 15 individuals. Our forwards making too many hit ups and clogging up the backline, backs running with little purpose and across field. Finally a very simple hands across the backline after some quick recycling of the ball, put winger Tom Evans over the line for a really nice Rugby try. Unfortunately, It wasn't enough with Eastwood winning 15 to 5 with our 2nds in real danger of missing the finals.
1sts had the advantage of running with the wind and needed to start well and play with high intensity in defence. Eastwood are a big forward pack and the scrum was going to play a major part of the game, with Rahboni out injured we lost that extra bit of grunt, but the Souths scrum had the Eastwood scrum buckling under pressure all game. This allowed our backs to work off some good ball and after 20 minutes we had scored 3 good tries and were looking comfortable in attack and defense, but there were signs of concern at the breakdown and we were starting to make too many handling errors.
Eastwood took advantage of this and scored a nice try and kicked a penalty goal. We responded with the bonus point 4th try and a 24 to 8 half time lead which was a fair indication of the game, but Eastwood now had the wind advantage.
Eastwood posted 2 tries in the 1st 8 minutes as the handling errors of the 1st half continued. We were not dealing with running into the wind and didn't know whether to kick or run.
At 24 to 22 Souths way and with 30 minutes to play, Eastwood had all the momentum and if you were placing a bet, Eastwood were red hot favourites. Ticker, spirit and pride in their jersey is something the Souths boys have in bucket loads. It was a case of playing tough and a try to us helped extend our lead 29 to 22, however we really needed another score. Eastwood showed their determination and it really was playing for sheep stations stuff by both sides. Eastwood were next to score and at 29 all with 10 to go it was keep chewing the finger nails stuff.
Finally, after 4 tough weeks the Rugby Gods smiled on us as William Latu was able to power his way over in the corner with only a few minutes left on the clock. Eastwood had one last charge camped on our line, with our supporters finger nails starting to bleed from being chewed to the first knuckle, a turn-over had the game won.
Well done to both clubs the days games were played in great spirit and we get to do it all again in 3 weeks at TG Milner.
Player of the day goes to all the injured players whom made their return to the playing field. Welcome back!
https://www.facebook.com/southerndistricts.rugbyunion.colts/posts/882836041752931:0
