The Kings versus Grammar match was a difficult game to watch for any fair minded rugby supporter.
Kings 100 def. Grammar 0
Grammar’s new coach Lachlan Fear confirmed after the game that his team had to make six changes from the previous week, including the entire back row and both centres. Those substitutions highlighted the lack of depth at the school.
With a final score line of 100-to-nil and the game being pulled up nearly 10 minutes early, it makes it difficult to single out any particular performance of any player on either team.
The strong crosswind caused a few problems and Grammar suffered four errors from restarts resulting in mid-pitch scrums (Kings were not tested in this area), and both teams lost two lineout throws. By my count penalties went to Grammar 9-6. Scrums went with the put-in.
For Grammar, (1) Penklis expressed himself well, eager to take it up close in and he put in at least one low lifting tackle that created a rare turnover. With the limited Grammar possession and retention, (9) Lee showed good control and a willingness to snipe, but unfortunately his short kicking game suffered from the relentless Kings pressure.
By my count there were 16 Kings tries, 10 of which were converted by (15) Tourish. Everyone across the board was making easy metres because Grammar were failing off their first-up tackles.
(13) Foketi stepped and broke several tackles on each run, scoring three tries, and when Carter replaced him, he scored two tries himself. (15) Tourish picked up one, and in the forwards, (9) Ferris sniped for two and his half-time replacement Rory Davis also grabbed one. (2) Burke, (7) Randell and (6) McCalman all scored one apiece and (8) Moylan rumbled over for two.
After 15 minutes the score was 26-0 and at half time it was 59-0. In the second half Kings replaced some forwards and the whole backline, strangely enough excepting Jones, who remained virtually unutilised on the wing as everyone running inside him was finding space.
I hope that Grammar can regroup, because over the next two weeks they face Joeys and Scots before their final match against High in their bye round.
Photo: Lachlan Jones
