Scots v Shore
by “Rich_E”
A decent sized crowd turned out at Bellevue Hill to watch a match expected to be won comfortably by the home side. But how did the scoreline get so one-sided after just 35 minutes?
What made the difference for the visitors in the second half? And did we see what could take the prize for try-of the-year?
First half
Mid-way through the first half, a Shore supporter was overheard telling a friend that “things were starting to look ugly in Bellevue Hill”. His assessment at the end of the first-half would have been fascinating because, by oranges, Scots had scored seven tries, all converted by Nick Shannon (15) to lead 49-0.
The first try, five minutes in, was scored by Ryan McCauley (5) who strolled over untouched off an inside ball from hooker Dylan Woods.
A few minutes later, Shore overcooked their line-out throw during a rare trip into the Scot’s half. Theo Strang (9) from Scots claimed the loose ball, cut inside the defensive line and sprinted half the field to score.
Next up, Scots took a tap from a penalty inside the Shore 22 and three passes later, Charlie Smith (7) crossed the chalk with two defenders clutching on to his jumper.
Smith then set off on another of his trade-mark runs up the middle before offloading to Dylan McLachlan (10) who planted the ball down untouched in the corner.
Afterwards he completed arguably one of the more dominant ten minutes this season by running into a huge gap and sprinting away to score Scot’s fifth try.
Number six went to Charlie Crawford (4) who crossed from close range, a fitting reward for a powerful display in the tight.
The last play of the half saw Jake Prindiville make a break down the flank and, just before being barreled over the side-line, he threw a blind speculator over his shoulder into the waiting arms of James Hawkins (12) who traversed the in-goal to dot down near the posts.
Scots took total control in the first half because just about every player in their team had the potential ability to slot in to just about every position if required.
Half time score: Scots 49 – Shore 0
Second half
The second stanza started just like the first finished.
In the opening play, but after a few phases, Nick Zylstra (3) took the last pass at the end of a backline comprising piggies only, to score a well deserved five-pointer. No extras. Scots up 54-0.
In the minutes that followed, Strang, Smith and McCauley were given an early shower. With the result now not in doubt, Brian Smith (Scot’s Head Coach) opted to rest some of his best and give the next tier an opportunity, for later this season and possibly next year.
All replacements played with skill and enthusiasm. But Shore’s coach, it appeared, was also looking to the future with the sense floating around the ground that he’d told his troops to forget the first half and win the second. And that they nearly did. The second half score finished up 15-12 in Scot’s favour.
While the change in personnel would have made Shore’s task a little easier, the game plan changed as well. Shore started running more directly, with lock Rory Suttor being the biggest metre-eater.
This sucked in the Scot’s defence and created space out wide for Ed Gregory (11), Lachie Patrick (13) and Hamish Sheehan (15), all of whom made decisive runs through the Scots defence.
Two tries to Shore were the reward for smart play and hard work. The first, which was also converted, went to Oscar Lane (9) after a pass was popped from the ground by Sheehan. The second was scored by Jacob Hedge (2) with only two minutes remaining.
Scot’s also got on the board on two more occasions before curtains though neither try was converted. The first, was scored by Shannon (15) after excellent lead-up work by Prindiville (11) and the latter by Prindiville himself.
The try by Shannon was a cracker and could get a mention in the GPS review as try of the year.
Final score: Scots 64 – Shore 12
The players
Scots
Charlie Smith – 3 points, after ten minutes of sheer brilliance in the first half.
Theo Strang – 2 points. A puppeteer-like display that justified his inclusion in the Sydney Stars team in the NRC once the GPS season is over.
Jake Prindiville – For a brilliant passage in second half and the speculator he threw in the first.
Shore
Lock Rory Suttor – 3 points. Bent the Scot’s defensive line with his direct running.
Lachie Patrick, Hamish Sheenan and Ed Gregory – 2 points each in recognition of their class and pace when Shore had front foot ball.
Scoring
Scots 64 (C. Smith 2, R. McCauley 2, T. Strang, D. McLauglin, J. Hawkins, N. Zystra, N. Shannon, J. Prindiville tries; Shannon 7 cons.) def. Shore 12 (J. Hedge, O. Lane tries; O. Cowley con)
Photos of Scots v Shore by “Not in straight”
Click on Page 3 for a report on Kings v Riverview by “factanonverba”
