NSW GPS – Match reports from Round 1

Riverview v Newington by GPSrow  and Chris Ng

Newington 31 — Riverview 14

On a soggy Saturday afternoon, 3:15 would make the Riverview No.1 Oval the stage for one of the biggest Schoolboy games yet to be seen in 2013. Riverview would be running on as my sneaky favorites for 21013 after being wooden spooners last year, against Newington, the 2012 champions.

The Scoring

The game started spectacularly in anyone’s eyes seeing a huge hit straight off the kick-off by Newington’s Josh Mitchell, this quickly caused a buzz from the Newington crowd and to the horror of the Riverview stand a turnover eventuated, and then it was on. One flick pass and a quick run down the sideline saw Mitchell scoring in the corner in the first minute of the game.  Lussick converted.

This gave Riverview a real jump-start and they returned with a spectacular team try.  At the end winger Samuel Mete scored in the corner after a nifty in-and-away beat the cover defence.  Freeman converted and it was tied up.  7-7

Neither side was able to assert any authority for a while, with Riverview trying to use their speed men out wide while Newington was more prepared to set up play by their forwards then get the ball to both Moeroa and Milne to crash through the defence out wide.

Newington regained the lead in the 18th minute after receiving a penalty.  From the lineout the ball went quickly to Moeroa, who passed to winger Loga-Tarogi who scored in the left corner.  Another Lussick conversion had Newington ahead 14-7.

On the stroke of half time Abrahams delivered an inside ball back to Milne 40 metres out.  He charged at the defence and raced through to score near the posts, but Lussick missed the easy conversion after slotting two wide ones previously.

At oranges the score was — Newington 19 – Riverview 7.

In the opening 10 minutes of the second half both sides blew opportunities after committing simple errors.

But after a series of rucks and mauls Newington winger  Josh Mitchell got the ball 30 metres out and beat two defenders to score under the posts.  With Lussick’s conversion Newington lead 26-7.

Then in the 22nd minute the was a contender for try of the year – even at this stage !!!   Riverview scrumhalf  Mike Kennedy scored a ‘magic’ solo try when he picked up the ball 10 metres in his own half and wrong-footed the Newington back row, kicked ahead and regathered 30 metres from the New line and out-ran defendersto score in the right hand corner.   After the conversion by Freeman, Riverview still trailed 26-14 but were in touch.

But in the 27th minute, Newington clinched the match when Abrahams took an intercept 15 metres from Riverview’s try line to score.  Oddly, another conversion from Lussick near the posts missed.  There was no more scoring and Newington won 31-14.

Riverview

They were able to score two spectacular tries but had trouble matching up with Newington’s behemoth centres Moeroa and Milne, and their ball handling was often poor.

Newington

They were made to look foolish a couple of times when View scored their two tries but otherwise it was very much business as usual. They were found wanting sometimes on one-on-one defence but their strong ball running and plenty of big hits pleased their followers.

The players

Riverview – Although the scoreboard showed otherwise, the younger players such as hooker Hosea Fotokava and fullback Bill Freeman played very well, and may have learned how to manage Newington’s behemoth centres for their second encounter next term. Scrumhalf Mike Kennedy deserves special mention for the magic try.

Centres Molloy and Hutcherson tried manfully to break the Newington line but were forced to run sideways too often.

Newington – every team will be worried seeing Moeroa and Milne running with ball in hand and they were well-supported supported well by their mobile forward pack and younger lads such as winger Loaga-Tarogi and fullback Simon Kennewell, who was very impressive on attack and his tackling was first class. LHP Vuni Fifita also played well.

Wrap-Up

From the game played today it just shows how good GPS Schoolboy rugby is getting. Seeing the pure intensity and aggressiveness of both sides, only shows a small but obvious sign that this season is going to be one of close scores and entertaining play.

Once again, Newington look to be in commanding form and this 1st round should put them at ease for the coming rounds and set them up for the feisty encounter with Joeys.

Other games:

2nd XV — SIC 15 – NC 15

3rd XV — SIC 19 – NC 0

Match details

Scoring

Newington — 31

Tries: Josh Mitchell (2), Sepsesa Loaga-Tarogi,  Taane Milne, Ellis Abrahams

Conversions: Joey Lussick (3)

Riverview — 14

Tries: Samuel Mete, Mike Kennedy

Conversions: Bill Freeman (2)

Match report on the run

Scots v Kings — by gpsoldboy

Scots  50 — Kings 12

It was a comprehensive eight tries to two victory for Scots in their opening round game.

Kings scored first but within 60 seconds of the restart it was 7 all.

Scots then unleashed the full potency of their backs destroying Kings out wide, and raced to a 29-7 half time lead.

It was more of the same in the second half and the Kings outside backs had no answer to the relentless Scots attack, missing a heap of one on one tackles.

Scots went wide with nearly every attacking phase, even off their own line from kickoffs and Matt Crafts blinding speed on the left wing lead to break after break.

Andrew Kellaway was excellent directing things at 10 and was ably supported by Ben Starkey at 12.

Only some good cover defence from the Kings fullback and their no 9 stopped the winning margin being even greater than the final 50-12 scoreline.

The forward battle was a bit more even with plenty of good contests for the ball but the bigger Scots forwards got the better of their counterparts. Scots hard work in their long pre season has them in very good shape as they just seemed bigger and certainly faster than Kings across the paddock.

It was a very positive start to the season for the Scots boys and whilst its early days the 20 year premiership drought may be about to finally break.