Kings v Riverview
by “umbrella_defence”
In spite of a cold lead-up, Riverview witnessed a proliferation of bull-barred Utes, dust-stained jeans, muddy R.M. Williams and dusty Akubras. Spectators from far and wide brought the big wet with them; their presence indicating that the Riverview-Kings fixture was imminent.
These two traditional GPS powerhouses came to Riverview looking to kick-start their season. Kings, whose pre-season form had been lauded by many a Green and Gold pundit, were looking to return to the style of play that saw them dispose of Scots in a trial and Shore in Round 1.
Riverview, who had a shaky pre-season and copped a drubbing from Joeys, were looking to build on their victory against Shore in Round 2. Both sides had players extensively involved in representative carnivals over the holidays, and the crowd was eager to see the fruits of extensive training over the break.
First half
Riverview’s Australian schoolboy fly half Jack McGregor (#10) commenced the game with an unexpected kick to the short side. Kings, whose forward pack dominated Shore, responded to this development by trucking it up the middle, hoping to build momentum by using their forward runners to get over the advantage line. It wasn’t to be however, as Riverview managed to sneakily turnover the ball in Kings territory.
Will Terry (#13), building on the impressive form he’s showed of late, raced away, drew in the lone Kings’ defender, and shifted the ball across to Malu Nona (#14), who at just 16 was making his debut for Riverview. With his first touch of the ball at this level Malu raced away, crashing down in the corner.
Apart from a missed conversion, Riverview could not have got off to a better start and led 5-0 after two minutes.
From the restart Riverview showed off their forwards’ prowess, rumbling up the middle for a few phases, while a long kick from McGregor sent the ball deep into Kings’ territory. A knock-on from the lineout resulted in a Riverview scrum where they showed more of the scrummaging dominance they’ve come to be known for. Of all the tactical advantages different teams have, this was the most surprising attribute for any GPS school, as no one expected Riverview’s small pack to have such a potent scrum.
During this first 15 minutes or so, Riverview dominated territory. A lack of shape in attack, combined with basic handling errors, prevented them from converting this advantage into more points.
After Riverview #8, Gehrig, was injured for the second straight game, momentum slowly swung to Kings. Following a five-metre lineout in their own 22, an impressive display of attacking prowess and nuance, orchestrated largely through the efforts of Pietsch (#6), evergreen lock Nick Brown (#4) crashed over the line at the other end of the field. After Mann’s (#10) conversion Kings led 7-5.
Not to be outdone, Riverview fired back with more of the attacking subtlety that had worked for them. There were no significant breaks, as Kings’ defence was too strong for that, but there were repeated kicks and advantage line bending runs, particularly by Michael Fenn (#4).
Soon Alex Hamilton (#2) bagged a rare meat pie on the left hand side of the field, right in front of the visitor’s pavilion. Running himself through a gap created by a decoy runner, he was the beneficiary of an accurate bullet pass from McGregor. The conversion missed but Riverview retook the lead 10-7.
Kings were certainly not out of the game, and Pietsch’s (#6) work was immense. In addition to impressive work at the breakdown, his ball running was a consistent source of jubilation for the Kings’ crowd as he cut through the Riverview defence. Unsurprisingly, when Kings bullied their way into Riverview’s 22m area Pietsch touched down under the sticks following a dominant run through the middle. With the successful conversion the scores went to 14 – 10, Kings’ way.
With oranges to be eaten, and attendance rolls to be ticked off, the game seemed to, briefly, settle down in anticipation for half time. Capitalising on this lull, the dominant Michael Fenn (#4) scored yet another try in typical fashion as he dragged multiple defenders with him to the line. This impressive 16 year old is certainly one to watch.
McGregor, whose radar had thus far not been working, managed to put View back in the lead 17–14 just as the hooter for half-time went.
The first half had seen a consistent undulation between the two sides. For the most part Riverview dominated territory and possession. For their part, Kings had defended well and exploited a weak Riverview lineout to minimise the damage, and – at times – take ascendancy. The second half, perhaps, would be more of the same.
It wasn’t. Or, at least, initially it wasn’t.
Second half
Riverview came out all guns firing as a rapid attacking burst from the kick-off saw Tom O’Reilly (#11) race away from his opposite number. Demonstrating the speed and agility he’s come to be known for, he darted through a gap created by deficient numbers to score under the posts. McGregor’s conversion brought the score to 24 – 14.
Kings fired back, in turn, with a dominant passage of play. A strong effort by their forwards, characterised by defender-absorbing runs around the fringes of the ruck by Pettit (#4) and Lynch (#2), had them land deep in Riverview territory. The efforts of halfback Heaton (#9) must be mentioned here, as he did a superb job communicating between the backs and the forwards, executing the game plan, and injecting himself when required. Ultimately though, these efforts were undermined by a basic handling error, and the opportunity to even things up was missed.
The opportunistic Riverview quickly worked their way up the field. Despite a lull in the game that lasted for some time, the back and forth between the two teams was slowly won by Riverview. As they found themselves in Kings’ territory, McGregor scored a characteristic try, sprinting around forwards who were stuck in the backline before crashing over defenders to fall on the line. Despite missing the conversion the score ballooned out to 29 – 14 for View.
This period of the game, like a few others, conjured a sense of déjà vu for many spectators. Both teams seemed to be executing similar game plans, and – where one gained ascendancy or scored points – it was often through methodology that had been equally as prosperous for the other team.
Unsurprisingly, therefore, Orpen’s (#12) try was the result of grinding work up the field and tactical nous with the boot. In maintain a perfect recording with the boot, the score was evened up at 29 – 21.
Riverview replied once more. Fenn, again bruising with his runs, smashed his way through the middle before elegantly flicking the ball to Cutler (#3) who scored easily under the sticks. Conversion successful, 36 – 21.
The bonanza continued. Kings lock Pettit (#4) found himself out on the left hand side of the field and crashed over right in front of the Kings crowd. Though the AR had to come on to verify, there was never any doubt in the minds of the Parramatta boys, as they responded with jubilation. Though the conversion was missed, there was no question that the end would be close: 36 – 26 with time left.
Ravaged by injuries and internal disciplinary issues, Riverview put on noted larrikin Nick Tracy (#17) for his debut and it would be remiss of me not to mention this. His lip in the final ten minutes geed up the home crowd, and (perhaps) rallied his teammates to hold out. Surely, though, it annoyed his opposition, and, with frustration mounting, Kings began to give away a few penalties, though I must add that they were unrelated to the aforementioned motor-mouth.
With little time left, Riverview wanted to put things beyond doubt with a penalty goal. Despite the miss, time was used up in the attempt.
Final score: Riverview 36 – Kings 26.
The players
Kings
3 points – Pietsch (#6). I am tempted to say that this was a MOTM performance, as it was very good. He worked very hard hitting rucks, orchestrating turnovers, forcing handling errors, winning lineouts (et al), but he also ran very well. He was key to Kings’ moments of brilliance and really caused the Riverview defenders trouble.
2 points – Brown (#4). Played very well, and – similar to Pietsch – worked very hard. He had a strong impact with the ball, though not as much as Pietsch did. His try is a testament to his ability to find himself in the right place and his work off the ball.
1 point – Heaton (#9). He provided spectators with a strong, subtle, but not overly ostentatious, performance. Accurate with his passing, for the most part in the conditions, he also did a good job in defence. He implemented the game plan well and functioned as a good bridge between the forwards and the backs.
Riverview
3 points – Michael Fenn (#4). The impressive 16-year-old GPS II and Combined States lock goes from strength to strength and his performance was extraordinary. He dominated in attack, and – in a similar way to Pietsch – did not do so at the expense of hard work. There is something Finegan-esque about his game insofar as he consistently drags defenders around the paddock. His bruising style is a surprising addition to a Riverview side that was predicted to lack dominance in the forwards.
2 points – Will Terry (#13). Was quite elusive in the backline, as he has been all season. He’s fast and sliced through the Kings defence with darting runs every now and then. He set up Nona’s try and was also somewhat involved in that of O’Reilly. He enabled Riverview to move their way up the field and deserves recognition for his efforts.
1 point – Jack Morrison (#1). Though I didn’t single him out in the article, Morrison was key to Riverview’s ascendancy. His scrummaging has been immense throughout the season and that work has been somewhat unnoticed so far. He has been instrumental in providing an attacking platform, if not an attacking weapon, to his team, while also putting pressure on his opposition when needed. For a bloke who only started playing prop this year, and one who’s not the biggest loosehead running around, he is damaging.
Photos of Riverview v Kings game supplied – thank you.
Other photos in article by ”Lee Grant”
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