The Kings School travelled to Lane Cove yesterday and won a scrappy encounter against an injury-ravaged Riverview.
Kings 20 – Riverview 7
In glorious conditions Kings got off to an excellent start, nearly scoring in the first few minutes. After multiple phases, they had spun it wide for an immediate overlap; however, the ball was dropped with a clear line of sight to the try-line. Unfortunately for fans of both sides, unforced errors became the theme of the game, as neither team seemed to be able to capitalise on its opportunities.
After kicking a penalty in the tenth minute, it was evident that Kings were in control despite the early departure of their Oz Schools centre, Foketi, who broke his jaw. View was constantly on the back foot without their Aussie Schools lock and enforcer Harry Rorke, whilst Kings was completing phase after phase. After twenty minutes it looked like Kings were going in, but a great try-saving tackle by the View hooker gave his team the momentary reprieve of a lineout in their own 22.
What happened next was a highlight of the match.
Instead of kicking for touch, View elected it to run it out from behind their try-line. A well-timed inside ball put 12. Tom Molloy into some space to run nearly twenty metres before being brought down by the Kings fullback Tourish. A quick recycle by the View pack allowed their scrummie to put up a box kick near half-way.
Steaming through, Australian Schools 6.Jack Dempsey wasted no time in taking the ball on the full and then putting the Kings backline to the palm; fending off what looked like each and every Kings back, before going in under the posts. View 7 – Kings 3.
Things were looking up for View but only minutes after Dempsey’s try, their no.8, Mitch Whiteley, the Oz Schools captain, came off the field with what looked to be serious knee injury.
Just before oranges, it was Kings’ turn to pick up some points against the run of play. A failed backline move and a dropped ball allowed Carter to redeem himself after dropping a ball earlier. He scooped up the fumble and ran 50 metres to score a try, which was converted. Half-time: Kings 10 – Riverview 7.
The second half started slowly and both sides looked tentative. View seemed to be their own worst enemy, seemingly unable to string together two phases without knocking the ball on. The only bright spot in their team being a return to form and dominance of Jack Dempsey.
Kings, on the other hand, started to hit their straps despite losing flyhalf Tulloch to a groin strain;. A couple of bullocking runs by their 6. McCalman and 8. Moylan highlighted not only their strength, but also their skill in the offload.
It seemed odd that they were only three points ahead but perhaps this was more down to a whistle-happy ref than the Riverview outfit’s defence. However, cracks were appearing and the Kings (and Oz Schools) scrumhalf, Ferris, sniped from ruck and scored in a handy position. Full marks to the View lads for charging the conversion down to limit the score to 7-15 for Kings.
At about the 65th minute, Kings were rewarded for having the lion’s share of possession. Their giant fullback Tourish made a break and passed to winger Jones, by then playing outside centre. Young Harry drew the covering defenders and dished sweetly inside to Carter to score his second try and end the scoring at Kings 20 Riverview 7.
It was a well deserved win to the Kings boys, who were clearly the better team on the day. The Riverview side seem to suffer from a deficiency in basic skills ,making nearly fifteen knock-ons by my count. This was their problem a few weeks ago against Joey’s and it’s disappointing to not see any progress since their first round of the season. The single bright spot was the performance of Jack Dempsey, who looks destined for greater honours in the game.
