Riverview v Joeys
by “Tahspark”
Sydney weather played its part by turning on a fine winter’s afternoon for both teams to display their second round credentials.
In front of their vocal crowd could the improved Riverview reverse the humiliation of their second half capitulation in round one or would Joeys give their title tilt a boost?
First half
There were some signs of nerves from the visitors early when some un-Joeys’ like knock-ons gifted the View lads possession and territory. From a scrum win View spread the ball and a set piece try finished by #12 Jake Pirina was a sight to behold, reminiscent of their opening try against New the previous week. Unconverted; 5-0 View in the second minute of the game.
Riverview had an unhappy afternoon with kick receipts and Joeys were soon mounting numerous attacking raids. Only try-saving tackles by #15 Conor Hurley and #10 Jack McGregor ensured that Joeys didn’t open their account earlier. However, with pressure building, View failed to “number-up” and in the 16th minute a simple overlap was completed with #14 Yirribi Jaffer-Williams scoring in the corner: also unconverted 5-5.
When Riverview found themselves back in Joeys’ red zone and from a scrum win, McGregor had the vision to put up a cross field kick that was caught nonchalantly by one of View’s best, #13 Will Terry, who improved his try-scoring position but his effort was not converted: View 10-5.
Sustained phases from Riverview resulted in an infringement and McGregor slotted the penalty for View to take a 13-5 lead.
Attacking dynamo #15 Tom Wright endeavoured to inspire his Joeys’ troops and the crowd could feel the intensity of the forwards battles. When a wide ball was dropped by Joeys inside their 22, #14 Dom Mete was Johnny-on-the-spot to capitalise: unconverted View: 18-5.
Joeys would have the final chance of the half to narrow the gap pounding away on View’s line but the home side did not relent and repelled Joeys forcing a knock-on.
At oranges the View contingent replete with numerous old boys’ reunions had more than a sniff of an upset in their nostrils.
Half-time score: Riverview 18 – Joeys 5
Second half
The Joeys’ coaches must have fired up their forwards and the pack responded. Australian school boy representative, #3 Tom Horton, received a popped-up ball from #2 Will Anderson and finished some bruising raids to ensure that Joeys would not lie down. His converted try narrowed the gap: 18-12.
Fellow Oz rep player #5 Nathan Gittoes was also imposing his frame, bending the Riverview line and when Joeys’ busy #10 Nick Wilkinson strolled through under the posts, Joeys were turning their possession and territory domination into points and took the lead for the first time: Joeys 19-18.
View was struggling to secure any quality ball until McGregor, in an opportunistic break, seemingly from nowhere, launched a move which eventually bore fruit when # 13 Will Terry popped a ball from the ground to replacement centre #17 Oliver Smeallie. The try was unconverted but View had arrested their decline: View 23-19.
That score remained and the home crowd entertained hopes that it would be the final margin. Joeys kept attacking until View won a tight head and soon after in-form #11 Tom O’Reilly hared down the sideline. When that movement broke down and Joeys were awarded a penalty, the second half pattern resumed and Joeys continued to pound away.
Then with three minutes to go View won a prized turnover and hoped to wind down the clock. Joeys #8 Tom Leaver produced a lifetime-treasured moment backing himself for an intercept try under the posts that crushed the home team: Converted by #9 Will Wennerbom Joeys celebrated a 26-23 lead.
However, Joeys’ remarkable comeback was not finished. To rub salt into View’s freshly weeping wounds, a chip and chase and scrappy loose ball was ultimately dived on by Jaffer-Williams’ for his second piece of meat:
Full-time score: Joeys 33 – Riverview 23.
The Players
Riverview:
At the afternoon tea the Joe Welsh memorial medal was awarded to Riverview’s best, as judged by the coaches. The worthy recipient was young #6 Charlie Rorke, which was even more impressive given that he’s still eligible for the 16s.
#8 Chris Scott – 2 points – for his tireless efforts, hits and tackles: a manful display in the losing cause.
#11 Tom O’Reilly – 1 point – limited opportunities but seized them and continued his strong and consistent form.
Joeys:
Many players points deserving but I couldn’t go past the impressive tall timber for my man of the match, #5 Nathan Gittoes (3 points) – whose fine leadership of the pack, with that of v-c #3 Tom Horton (2 points), was a strong feature of Joeys turnaround.
#8 Tom Leaver (2 points also) – another pack member whose never-say-die attitude was rewarded with his match-defining late intercept try.
#10 Nick Wilkinson (1 point) – helped spark the comeback with his solo try, and his incisive runs kept View’s defence in two minds.
Scoring
Joeys 33 (Y. Jaffer-Williams 2, T. Horton, N. Wilkinson, T. Leaver tries; W. Wennerbom 4 cons.) def. Riverview 23 ( J. Pirina, W. Terry, D. Mete, O. Smealie tries; J, McGregor pen.)
Other scores
2nd XV: Joeys 34 – Riverview 27
3rd XV: Joeys 24 – Riverview 5
16A: Joeys 33 – Riverview 10
Photos of Riverview v Joeys by “Lee Grant”
Click on Page 3 below for a report on Shore v Kings by “Gary Owen III”
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