Newington v Kings
by “Anonymous George”
Newington College vs. The King’s School
Saturday, 23 August 2014
The sky was heavy and the ground was heavier despite the fact that a number of earlier games had been cancelled.
It wasn’t long before the skies opened and consistent rain was falling for much of the first half.
First half
Kings capitalised on some early territory and possession and King’s no. 15 (James Kane) slotted the first penalty. Newington 0 – King’s 3.
The lead was short lived when the big Newington no. 1 (Melie Laimani) got very low just metres out and was unstoppable as he crashed over near the posts. The try was converted by Newington no. 11 (Bailey Simonsson) and they led 7-3.
Sustained pressure by Kings for the next period in the first half, but no points!
A long break through the middle by Newington no. 12 (Latu Latunipulu) went deep into King’s territory. A relieving scrum penalty was all that got King’s out of more pressure.
A dropped ball by Newington in the subsequent stanza of play was toed through by King’s no. 14 (Monty Campbell) and he dived over for a try! The try was converted by King’s no. 10 (Chris Orpen) after a leg injury to no. 15 and King’s were back in the lead: 10-7.
That was the half time score and the game was in the balance. For the third or fourth week in a row and King’s were leading or in the hunt at the break.
The heavy conditions meant that the score was close and a lot of heavy work was being done in tight. The backs were finding the footing very slippery and the speedsters were not able to find much space.
Second half
Early in the second half and Kings were on the attack. An attacking scrum around five metres out was wasted when a loose ball was hacked through and Newington were back down the other end.
King’s no. 15 succumbed to a leg injury and was off. The game seemed to be teetering.
Shortly after an attacking line out to Newington, a driving maul and Laimani was over for his second try! The try was converted by Simonsson and Newington took the lead again 14-10.
During the next stanza Newington relied heavily on the big forwards through several “pick and drives”, then the ball was spun wide to the left and Newington no. 14 (Liam Eruini-Bennett), now playing on the left wing, was over, untouched. A good demonstration of controlled rugby.
The try was unconverted from wide out and the score was Newington 19 – King’s 10.
Another loose ball was toed through for the fourth or fifth time in the game and the Newington no. 8 (Joe Duarte) was able to get the ball in his hands and he was away for a runaway try. Simonsson kicked his third conversion and the score had blown out to 26-10 for Newington.
Mistakes and the loose ball were being capitalised on by Newington and they were gaining the ascendency despite the Kings team toiling hard.
A yellow card to one of the King’s forwards for what looked like repeated infringements in their own 22 and King’s were down to 14 men. It was not getting any easier for the sky blue and white.
Late in the game there was yet another good, long, strong run by Latunipulu for New.
The game ground on down in difficult conditions and Newington celebrated a tough, but deserved win: 19-10.
The Players
Newington
12 – Latu Latunipulu – His strong hard runs were notable on a day found difficult by both sets of backs.
7 – Campbell Clifford – A tireless worker who reads the game well.
1 – Melie Laimani – A human wrecking ball from close range. Seeks the line and often finds it.
5 – Tom Piroddi – Another giant of a lad who relished in the conditions.
King’s
They toiled hard all day and were well and truly in the game until early in the second half. No. 6, George Lehmann, and No. 8, David Ballantyne, were amongst the best in a pack that never stopped. Like many of their games this season King’s will be looking back thinking what might have been.
The Wrap-up
Kings never gave in, but the size of the Newington pack was more suited to the conditions and the longer the game went on, the more they dominated.
The backs found that the footing slippery and the good looking guys never had many opportunities. Victory went to the team that was able to make the most of limited opportunities, largely brought about the wet ball.
The Scoring
Newington 26 (M.Laimani 2, L. Eruni-Bennet, J. Duarte tries; B. Simonsson 3 cons) def. Kings 10 (M.Campbell try; C. Orpen con; J. Kane pen)
Other Scores
2nd XV — Kings 19 – Newington 14
3rd XV — Kings 55 = Newington 10
Newington v. Kings photos by “Anonymous George”
