Scots v. Riverview
by “umbrella_defence”
In what this writer believes to be the fifth muddy Saturday in a row, Riverview – with nothing to play for but pride – managed to show incredible resolve.
Scots, on the other hand, showed all the qualities of a champion team.
First Half
Scots began the game with the wind behind their backs, and parked deep down in Riverview’s territory for the first ten minutes.
Under normal circumstances Scots would have found the line, but Riverview’s defence managed to hold out, thanks to guys like Beau Petterson (#5) and Hosea Fotukava (#1).
Despite these positive signs from View and their general aggression, one thought that Scots’ build up of pressure and domination of possession would result in points to them.
Uncharacteristic unforced errors and a few disciplinary issues by the Scots’ boys gave Riverview a temporary release, but Jack McGregor (#10) and Bill Freeman (#13) struggled to clear the ball, kicking against the wind. Eventually Riverview’s escape plans worked, and a good back and forth between the two teams began.
The Riverview midfield defence started to beat back Scots, with their default running game and the visitors gradually advanced up the field with some smart kicking. Conor Menzies (#7) almost scored for View from a McGregor grubber which caught the Scots defenders off guard.
In the chaos this caused, Scots’ Charlie Smith (#8) was sent off for what appeared to be a professional foul, and Riverview took advantage, shifting the momentum significantly.
Riverview dominated whilst Smith was off, but they scored only a penalty goal to McGregor during his absence because of poor execution.
Nor did their ineffective lineout help them during this period – nor for the rest of the game either. According to one count, they lost eight of their own, largely due to the incredible aerial work of Scots’ lock Ryan McCauley.
Using this set piece weakness as a spring board, Scots responded in the best possible way and demonstrated why they’re such a sensational team.
In under eight minutes the Bellevue Hill boys scored two tries and took the score to 10 – 3.
Firstly Max Girdler – #6 – scored from the back of a dominant rolling maul, then their #14 – Jake Prindiville – scored a screamer on his wing following some superb counter attack.
Though Crichton (#13) missed both conversions, Scots went into oranges with ascendancy on the scoreboard and a significant amount of momentum, but with a killer breeze now blowing with the Blue and White, would it be enough?
Second Half
It was clear that Riverview weren’t going to let the good parts of their first half effort go to waste, and the intensity and confidence they played with was what supporters had expected at the start of the season with all the hype.
Within two minutes of the ref blowing his whistle, McGregor made a dangerous break through the midfield from 40 metres out but was brought down inches short by a try-saving tackle by Guy Porter (#15). Had McGregor scored it could have been a game-changer.
Nonetheless, Riverview maintained this dominance, the wind enabling them to camp down Scots’ half and create territory pressure but this was relieved regularly by the superior set pieces of Scots.
All Riverview could score in this (otherwise) commanding presence in Scots’ territory was a penalty goal to McGregor taking the score to 10 – 6.
Despite the rain and mud, Scots continued to play positive running rugby, and consequently there was a huge amount of action.
Riverview responded well with effective breakdown work and some momentum-shifting tackling; captain Evan Pritchard (#2) led the charge with his impressive work-rate.
When Riverview regained the ball, they looked threatening, with their backs continuing to put kicks in behind the Scots defence, to find holes.
In one situation, debutant Elijah Williams (#11) gave Scots another scare when he used the kicking skills he honed in his AFL days, and his impressive speed to chase, to come within metres of scoring—but the ball just went dead-in-goal before he could lay a finger on it.
Eventually Riverview were rewarded for their dominance with #12 Joe Stageman crossing in the midfield after a bruising one-man effort. Despite the ball falling off the tee – twice – McGregor converted and Riverview took the lead 11 – 10, with less than ten minutes left.
Having been starved of possession for the majority of the half, Scots sought to hit back, and soon their trademark running style was making metres.
This was due particularly to the strength of Toby Rudolf (playing #6 in this match), the subtly of Theo Strang (#9), and the speed of Prindiville. Within the blink of an eye Riverview found themselves under huge pressure.
Eventually Angus “Jaws” Crichton (#13) managed to beat his way over the line from the midfield, carrying at least two defenders with him. He promptly converted his own try – to the delight of the Old Boys on the hill, and Scots re-took the lead: 17 – 11.
With but minutes left, it became clear that we had a nail-biter on our hands.
The Riverview lads, looking to end 6 – 8 years of playing rugby together on a positive note, went to another level, with Petterson, Fotukava and replacement Marwin Jansen (#18) all putting in an non-stop effort in the forwards, whilst Freeman, McGregor and Therry (#15) each made metres up the field.
With less than two minutes left, View were rewarded a penalty and managed to get a five-metre attacking lineout, giving them one last opportunity to slay the beast.
As the hearts of spectators from both sides pounded to the tune of the Riverview bass drum, McCauley managed to pull a Justin Harrison, and stole Riverview’s line-out ball, continuing the trend that had been going all game.
After Riverview lost this opportunity they also lost their composure and gave away a penalty. Scots were delighted to boot the ball out, and braced themselves for one last minute of hell when they threw the ball to the lineout.
Scots held the ball and rode out the clock, and – after an accidental obstruction – the ref eventually blew his whistle on the season.
The players
Scots
3 points – Ryan McCauley was a menace at the lineout, and was, effectively, the force that undermined any momentum Riverview attempted to build. His lineout win in the last minute was a match-saver, and he proved himself today.
2 points – Angus Crichton. Whilst he was quiet by his usual standards, Crichton was still in many ways a point of difference. Every time it seemed like he would get the ball he’d suck in three defenders, and that created space out wide.
1 point – Guy Porter. Like Crichton, Guy’s performance wasn’t his best, but he deserves a point for the try-saver he pulled off on McGregor. In retrospect, that saved Scots five points and potentially, the game.
Riverview
3 points – Evan Pritchard. Evan gave 100% in his last ever game for Riverview, and part of my rationale for awarding him the 3 points is for his leadership and consistency over the season. Nonetheless, he still gave a solid performance, with his lineout work being the only area that needs improvement.
2 points – Jack McGregor. Jack has improved markedly since last season, and it’s clear that his confidence has grown. Every part of his game was on tune, from his kicking, to his defence, to his attack, and it was across those areas that he managed to be a huge point of difference.
1 point – Hosea Fotukava and Beau Petterson. Both these guys have been tireless workhorses for Riverview, and their aggression, both on and off the ball, have added an extra layer of intimidation factor for the Riverview pack.
The wrap-up
Scots proved that they were the best team this season. They endured every odd condition thrown at them – from negative media press to muddy conditions – and in so doing showed that they have the versatility and adaptability of a champion team.
Riverview proved that they have the strength of character and resolve that a 6-8 year symbiosis inevitably forms. They did their school, its students, and themselves, proud in the way that they responded to the significant injury cloud that hung over them and the speculation that they’d lose by 30+.
It has been a great season in the GPS, and I hope you look forward to the review that will be published soon.
Other results
2nd XV – Scots 19 – Riverview 10
3rd XV – Scots 19 – Riverview 7
16A – Riverview won
See brief report on Kings v. Shore and pics on page 3
