Newington 32 — Joeys 22
by “Lee Grant”
At Newington the home team started nine players who had participated in the Australian Championships recently, to three from Joeys; and that was a fair measure of the pre-game favouritism. But some poor execution by Newington and a rousing comeback by Joeys at the end of the game made the final score closer than it should have been.
The scoring
Early on Joey Lussick kicked a penalty goal for Newington and they soon began a series of punishing runs that had St. Josephs hanging on grimly. But Newington released some of the pressure themselves with some sympathetic mishandling at the lineout and scrum, plus the odd early engagement .
But it was too good to last for the visitors. 12. Tepai Moreoa made a break from the Newington half after 15 minutes and dished the ball to 13. Taane Milne who went on a trademark weaving run and got pulled down five metres out.
Some barging efforts and the presence of the baleful Moreoa sucked in too many Joeys’ defenders and when the ball was swung wide, winger Liam Eruini-Bennett scored in the corner. There was no conversion and Newington lead 8-0.
Joeys were having to put out too many fires and had trouble getting off the ground to make first-up shoulder tackles. Milne took advantage: he brushed off three tackles in a long run down the right hand touch-line and scored in the corner. After a fine conversion from Lussick, Newington led 15-0 at 25 minutes.
Joeys had hardly had a sniff up to then and it wasn’t until just before the break when they got a a chance. They launched a series of pick and goes near their opponent’s goal-line but Newington defended well and cleared.
Newington were ahead 15-0 at the break but Joeys swept up the field right after the restart and 5. Jono Hardy (usually the LHP) went over after the ball was switched back to his side of the field. Newington 15-5.
But at 10 minutes New were back on attack once more and after being held up over the line, Lussick ran the ball round the blind side of the scrum to score. Five minutes later it was Lussick again: he picked up the ball from a ruck and waltzed over the line barely challenged. Soon they were back again with some pick and goes and 8. Anthony Vasilis went over.
Newington had shocked Joeys by scoring three tries in a 13 minute period when they had defended poorly. Only one was converted but at 25 minutes into the second half Newington were embarrassing Joeys 32-5.
Joeys should have been down-and-out but they remembered who they were and never gave up. They scored three cracking tries in the last ten minutes, converting one of them.
Newington had won 32-22 but Joeys had got a bit of pride back.
The teams
Newington were too good for Joeys but they left a few tries on the park in the first half, got their mojo back with three tries in the second, then appalled their supporters and themselves by surrendering those three at the end of the game. They also got issued two yellow cards for foul play because of actions of players who had infringed in like manner before.
Joeys had trouble dealing with the physicality of the Newington players including some of the big backs, and this affected their defence. They were fortunate that Newington malfunctioned in the first half when Joeys were vulnerable, but they deserved great credit for the way they finished the game.
The players
Newington: 3. Joey Lussick (scrumhalf – MOTM), 2. Taane Milne (outside centre), 1. David Morris (blindside flanker).
Lussick had a commanding game and sometimes looked like he was covered in spiders dodging tackles. Milne set up two tries and Morris was everywhere leading a well-drilled pack.
Joeys: 3. Andrew Deegan (flyhalf), 2. Tevita Makisini (scrumhalf), 1. Matt Sandell (tighthead prop)
Deegan had a strong rep season in winning teams and continued his form in this match in a losing side. Mackasini deserved his promotion to the Ones and Sandell was one of the few Joeys’ lads who could progress through traffic.
Wrap-up
2013 is starting to look like a re-run of 2012. Newington is undefeated after three rounds, as are Scots, who had a good win against View. Their contest next week will be one of the key matches of the season.
Things could change, but chances are that the other four teams will be contesting for the bronze, as they were last year.
Match details
Scoring
[one_half last=”no”]Newington — 32
Tries: Joey Lussick (2), Liam Eruni-Bennett, Taane Milne, Anthony Vasilis
Conversions: Lussick, Vasilis
Penalty Goal: Lussick
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Joeys — 22
Tries: Jonathan Hardy, Latrell Robinson, Tierney Glasson, William McDonnell
Conversion: Andrew Deegan
Yellow cards: Newington (2)
Referee: Mr. Buddy Kyle[/one_half]
Other results at Riverview
2nd XV: SJC 12 — NC 7
This was a cracking game. Joeys were ahead 12-0 at half-time but New came back in the second to get to 12-7.
On the bell Joeys had two men in the bin. New got over the line attempting to get the try to tie the match, with the conversion to come, but the ball-carrier was dragged into touch-in-goal.
3rd XV: SJC 22 — NC 0
4th XV: SJC 56 — NC 0
16As: SJC 63 — NC 5
Photos by Lee Grant
See page 3 for an informal report by “Whose That Guy”on Scots v. Riverview
