NSW GPS – Cliffhanger at Northbridge

Shore v. Joeys

Joeys beat Shore comfortably in the first round of matches and came close to upsetting Scots last week.

But Shore was on the rise—they beat Kings for the first time in 19 years two weeks ago and were competitive against Newington last Saturday when both sides scored three tries.

They were the big improvers of the GPS going into this game.

First half

Joeys [SJC] started with all the ball and moved it wide whenever they could but it didn’t translate into points because they were going east to west instead of south to north.

Shore couldn’t get out of their own half in the first ten minutes, but as soon as they did they charged down a Joeys’ exit kick and 12 Charlie King scored.

Joeys attacked after the restart but 7 Jum Woodhill turned their ball over. Shore charged up the field after 13 Matt Dowsett kicked though, but they were denied by a cruel bounce.

At last SJC’s ball work yielded results: 14 Ben Williams raced up touch and beat defenders to the goal line to dot down.

The score was tied at 5-5 after 20 minutes because neither try was converted.

Both teams, backs as well as forwards, were getting off the line quickly and pummelling each other. It continued for the rest of the match but one tackle was deemed dangerous and a Shore lad got carded.

Joeys took advantage and got into the Shore 22; after forcing a five-metre scrum their fullback Timothy Clements outflanked the Shore backline to score near the corner post. 10 Connor O’Shea slotted a fine conversion for Joeys to lead 12-5 and that was the half-time score.

It was an ironic half: SJC had all the ball in Shore real estate early but couldn’t score; then Shore scored immediately after they got their one random chance. In the second quarter Shore commanded in a like manner with no results, but when Joeys got the yellow card advantage they scored soon after.

It’s a crazy game sometimes.

Second half

Shore surged after the break but when 6 James Doyle charged for the Joeys line 12 Will McDonnell took his legs to bring him down a couple of metres out. But SJC had a poor exit and after a lineout 14 Will Connelly found a rare gap around the ruck to score Shore’s second try, as the local kookaburras laughed. No conversion; 12-10 SJC.

Shore were on a roll and they had another handy lineout a few minutes later. This time they mauled it over perfectly, as they did once at Hunters Hill, and 2 Ollie Stump got credit for the try which 9 Harry Emery converted.

Joeys were shocked: Shore were ahead 17-12 ten minutes into the second half.

But they soon found their composure and when O’Shea got the ball in the Shore 22 he took the responsibility and ran himself. He stopped the rot when he scored and converted for SJC to lead again:19-17.

Then came one of the most determined tries of the season. Captain Marvel Woodhill of Shore, who had just made a couple of dominant runs, burst through four Joeys’ tacklers and grounded the pill to score though turned on his back. Emery kicked the wide conversion and Shore were back in the lead 24-19 with about ten minutes to go.

The home team had the vibe and Joeys tried to respond but some good box kicks turned them around. The visitors were getting the ball wide as they did at the start of the game, but as in the first half: most of the passes to the wingers were poor and it stalled several promising movements.

Both teams were out on their feet but at the death Joeys were able to retain the ball for the money minutes. Again O’Shea, the Aus School’s flyhalf, took responsibility and weaved his way through traffic but was brought down five metres out. However he attracted a few flies and this time when the ball went wide the passes were fine and Clements scored.

The scores were level and the the conversion was a reasonable ask but just then the skies opened and the rain bucketed down.

Whatever, the kick missed and the final score was 24-24. The tie was appropriate: neither team deserved to lose that game.

The teams

Shore was a more difficult proposition for Joeys than when they played them at Hunters Hill. They had a harder edge and their tackling was harsher. Their set plays including mauls were stronger than in the first game and they swarmed better in the tight.

Joeys had problems with the set piece last week and some of their lineouts were ropey in this game, though their scrum was commanding. This week they couldn’t breach the line in the midfield as they did last time they played Shore and their wide passing let them down also.

The Players

Shore

3. Jum Woodhill (7) – was both a top leader and a force of nature. The Shoreboys would follow this lad out of the trenches.
2. Matt Dowsett (13) – better suited close to the action than on the wing where he played last time. Threatened several times and tackled hard.
1. James Doyle (6) – made several dominant runs and tackles.

Joeys

3. Connor O’Shea (10) – he is carrying this team when they have bad moments: like a swan amongst the ducks.
2. Thomas Leaver (4) – played well again this week and an honourable mention to his second row partner and skipper Koim Wingti, especially late in the game.
1. Will Anderson (8) – a non-stop effort. The other backrowers 6 Margan and 7 Simpson were not far behind him either.

The wrap-up

This must have been one of the best matches of the year. It proves that you don’t have two top sides banging heads together to see some great GPS rugby.

The scoring

Shore 24 (C. King, W. Connelly, O. Stump, J, Woodhill tries; H. Emery 2 cons) drew with Joeys 24 ( T. Clements 2, B. Williams tries;  C. O’Shea try, 2 cons)

Other scores

2nd XV — Joeys 19 – Shore 12
3rd XV — High 26 – Shore 19

Photo gallery – photos by Lee Grant