Shore v Scots
by “The Spaceman”
Scots were dominant over Shore—they were too big, too fast and too strong.
Rugged-up spectators huddled together, hot beverages were drunk and rogue hats flew in the wind at Northbridge in a day that didn’t go the Shore boys’ way, going down to a rampaging Scots side.
A stiff, bitterly cold breeze was running straight down the ground from the south with Shore running with it in the first half.
First half
The initial moments of the match indicated that Scots were going to bring pace and aggression with prop 1. Jakob Sedgman, putting on a huge hit in defense that got both crowds revved up.
It then immediately became apparent that 12. Angus Crichton would have a massive impact on this game. Getting the ball quickly off a back line move and committing three Shore defenders, Crichton gave a deft inside ball to open side flanker 7.Taylor Deer who pierced through the Shore defensive line about 60m out. In a sign of things to come, multiple offloads quickly and easily advanced Scots over the advantage line, with the final pass disrupted by Shore winger 11. Toby Cooke.
In a somewhat dubious decision, the referee awarded a penalty try, claiming Cooke had tackled a Scots player without the ball – could’ve gone either way – in my eyes not a blatant penalty, there was too much contest over the ball.
7-0 to Scots, around 10 minutes in.
What followed was some of the best running rugby that I have ever seen, something that is now synonymous with Scots teams in recent times. I don’t care if it’s Horwitz – Starkey – Stewart -Kellaway or, like today, if it’s 10.Dan England – Crichton – 13. James Hawkins – 15.Guy Porter, the Scots pattern of play and back line is simply a joy to watch.
Confident, but by no means cocky, Scots would run the ball from deep inside their own half and simply glide through the Shore inside backs or use their pace to beat them on the outside. Crichton loomed off England constantly, running both great unders and overs lines and always looking to give the inside ball to a fast running Deer or 8.Charlie Sheen.
Setting up this expansive running game was a forward pack that was big, strong and fit; characteristics that they used in full against a smaller Shore pack. Commanding runs from the two big units in the 2 row – 4.Max Cowley and 5.Toby Rudolf and Sedgman as well helped to release the backline.
By no means did the men from North Sydney give up however.
19 nil down by this stage, Shore’s 15. Dom Naylor was looking to breathe life into the Shore attack but Emery spilled Naylor’s offload over the line, chance gone begging.
Another aspect of Scots gameplay that was killing Shore was their ability to spread the ball and break the line off the quick tap. Halfback Theo Strang and outside centre Hawkins were integral in these passages of play, with of course great supporting roles played by Crichton and Porter.
Desperate Shore cover defense, notably by 11.Cooke, 13. Matt Dowsett and 14.Will Connelly helped to contain the score to 31-0 at half time.
Second half
The second half was much the same story; despite a solid pick and go try from big Shore lock 5. Jack Preece which made the Shore crowd go wild – great to see.
After some amazingly simple tries from Scots rounding out the game, the boys from the Bellevue Hill piled on ten tries to one.
Final score: Scots 64 – Shore 7
The players
Scots
I’m not going to give out a 3,2,1 this week because I could give 5 + players all 3 points. Crichton continued his good form, today wearing a black Skins top underneath the bright yellow which highlighted his SBW-like ability to get his arms free after initial contact and get an accurate offload away.
I was surprised with flyhalf England as well – played his role perfectly today and he’s a quite a solid lad, something I love to see in a number 10 as it tends to place greater doubt in the defence’s mind that he’s going to take on the line.
Sedgman, Cowley, Rudolf and Deer were massive in the forward pack and extremely impressed with outside centre Hawkins, reminiscent of Jim Stewart in the 13 jersey! One flick ball offload in particular was stunning.
Shore
Open side flanker Jum Woodhill again lead from the front – everywhere in attack and defense and
generally stood up and didn’t back down from the fight.
Preece played well, as did Dowsett at 13 (beefed up the D a little bit) and also Wrench. I also thought inside Charlie King stepped up in attack today, proving to be a very strong ball carrier.
The main problems with this Shore side is that they lack spark in attack and have an issue with ball retention. They were plainly and simply outmuscled, outpaced and outskilled by Scots today but promising signs here and there.
Would love to see 2nd XV players Rory Suttor (lock), Oli Cowley (10) and Luke Rixon (9 or 11, or 15?) given a chance in the top team at some stage this year.
Other results
2nd XV — Shore 24 – Scots 10
3rd XV — Shore 17 – Scots 15
There was a dramatic end to this game, with Shore scoring in the final stages to level the scores at 15-apiece with the conversion from fullback Cochrane in the wind andfrom near the sideline….hitting the crossbar and—IT’S OVER!! * [Greg Clark voice*]
See video of game in “Discussion’ (below)
See next page for Joeys v Riverview
