Kings v. Shore
by “Azzuri”
Traditional rivals Kings and Shore squared off at North Parramatta in an attempt to ensure the results of their opening game of the 2015 AAGPS Rugby match set a platform for an “annus mirabilis”, rather than their respective “annus horibilus” of 2014.
With Shore coming off a 45-14 loss to Joeys in their trial and Kings with their tails up after a 35 to 19 point win over last year’s Premiers Scots, it appeared that the early money was on Kings to take the win.
First Half
Someone however forgot to tell that to Shore. It was obvious from the kick-off that both sides had come to play and while TKS had the home ground advantage and obvious support of the crowd, it was clear the determined Shore pack were primed to take the fight to Kings in their own backyard.
Kings signalled their intentions early with their mobile forward pack chasing the kick off deep into Shore territory in an attempt to pressure the Shore defensive line. Undeterred the Shore forwards steadied and set about building some momentum and a platform for their highly regarded backline to unleash some fancy footwork.
Seven minutes in Shore demonstrated the potency of their backline after the fourth phase of play, spinning the ball wide and through the hands of Cowley, Corbett and Patrick and out wide to Gregory on the wing—only to be shut down by a crunching tackle from TKS number 11 Jake Laferla.
From the breakdown Shore launched another lightning raid on the Kings’ try line with their centre pairing of Corbett and Patrick again running great lines, and making some good midfield raids only to be stopped ten meters out. The TKS winger, Chris Orpen, earned himself a yellow card for his defensive efforts.
Reduced to 14 men the Kings forwards dug in, yet still dominated the set pieces and broken play which had them camped in Shore’s half for the next next ten minutes. The game was being played at a furious pace and with some niggle creeping into the game the referee had to pull play up to hose down the hostilities.
With 17 minutes left in the half Chris Orpen returned to the field for Kings as Shore was camped in Kings’ territory and pressing forward on attack. Shores’ back line was in full flight but threw one too many long passes, which Orpen intercepted with glee to run 60 meters unchallenged to score under the posts. He converted his own try to take the score to 7-0 to TKS.
This try would prove to be a turning point in the game, and as Kings’ confidence rose so too did the tempo and intensity of the of the proceedings. Shore conceded several key turnovers and their scrum came under heavy pressure. Three minutes from half time Chris Orpen bagged his second meat pie of the day scoring in the corner from a set piece on the Pennant Hills side of the ground—and he converted his own try, again.
Half-time score: Kings 14 – Shore 0.
Second Half
The same intensity prevailed after the break and within minutes fullback Rhys Millar took Kings to within 25 meters of the Shore try line. Dylan Pietsch scored close the the posts after a Kings’ lineout and the Orpen conversion made the score 21-0 to Kings.
This seemed to spur on the Shore forwards, who regrouped and drove deep into Kings territory; and with a combination of strong pick and drives, rolling mauls and hard running, they found themselves five meters out from the TKS goal line.
But the Kings’ forwards weathered the attack and repelled wave after wave of close-quarter drives by the Shore pack. It was an impressive defensive display with Shore eventually coughing up a penalty at the breakdown.
Possession continued to see-saw and while TKS had established a substantial lead the Shore lads did not drop their heads, and continued to take it to their rivals. With twelve minutes left and with Shore on the defence, a long Kings’ pass in the centre of the field was intercepted by Shore’s 13 Lachie Patrick like a bolt of lightning. The conversion of the resulting try by Shore fullback Luke Rixon took the score to 21 – 7.
Five minutes later the game was over.
Final score: Kings 21 – Shore 7.
The players
The standouts:
Shore: Patrick, Rixon, Corbett and Bragg.
Kings; Dylan Pietsch, Chris and Matt Orpen, Jake LaFerla.
Scoring
Kings 21 ( C. Orpen 2, D. Pietsch tries; C. Orpen 3 cons) def. Shore 7 (J. Doyle try; L. Rixon con)
Kings v. Shore photos by Ian Stubbs – Thank you
