Scots 33 — Newington 2o
By “Jasdec”
Newington v Scots lives up to expectations – a great rugby match.
The scoring
First Half
Newington scored first through a penalty goal kicked by (5) Anthony Vasilis after three minutes. Scots responded through (15)Andrew Kellaway after a high tackle by Newington (1) Vunipola Fifita on Scots (8) Olly Kamp to the left of the uprights. 3 – 3 after 8 minutes.
A number of early scrums to Newington with Scots players being held up in the mauls by the two Newington props. Also their centre pairing were showing very good strength and technique in the defensive tackle.
A try to Newington – (10) Ellis Abrahams scores under the posts after good work by (13) Taane Milne down the left side after 15 minutes. Showed good strength in the tackle and popped a pass back to an unmarked Abrahams. Kick successful by Vasilis with the score 10 – 3 Newington after 15 minutes.
Good lead up work from the Scots backs down the left sees the ball swing back to the right going through (3) Will Ridley to (2) Jamaine Crossley to beat the defence and come around to score adjacent to the posts with the kick successful from (10) Callum Styles. 10-10
Newington (12) Tepai Moeroa yellow carded on a linesman’s report after the third high tackle and a general warning by the referee. Eight minutes before half time, Scots take the scrum option with Newington a man down in the backs.
Penalty to Scots after scrum collapses 5 metres from Newington line sees a quick tap out the backs with (10) Callum Styles to (12) Starkey giving a cutout pass to Kellaway who draws the defence allowing (14) Chistian Yassmin to score in the corner. Kellaway misses the goal and score is 15 – 10 Scots at half time.
Second Half
A try virtually from the kickoff by Newington (9) Lussick and a missed conversion sees the scores level at 15 all.
Newington’s Tepai Moeroa returns from his yellow card with both teams back to full strength .
Scots backs combine with the forwards up the middle to see a try to (13) Guy Porter down the left hand side which was converted by Kellaway shortly after. The score moves to 22 – 15 Scots after 10 minutes.
Penalty to Scots 30m out for another high tackle after 24 minutes kicked by Kellaway to take the score to 25 – 15 Scots.
Newington attacked the Scots line with repeated runs around the ruck area however eventually lost the ball after 5+ phases with Scots clearing through a penalty. Lineout won by Scots with clearing kick charged down by Newington and picked up by a Newington player in an offside position, penalty to Scots who move further into Newington’s half.
Further penalty to Scots 15m out in front of left upright for a ruck infringement sees Kellaway kicking the goal for a 28 – 15 lead after 30 minutes.
Third penalty to Newington in a row sees them start to attack the Scots line with some good defence shown across the 15 which has hindered the Newington forwards. This sees the ball won by Scots on their line and spread to the left to their (11) Matt Crafts who sends it back to Porter who kicks ahead with Kellaway regathering and beating the tackle of the Newington (15) Sepesa Loga-Tarogi to score a very good backs try. Conversion missed which leaves the score at 33 – 15 to Scots after 33 minutes.
Newington receives a penalty in the Scots 25m and opt for a scrum; ensuing mauls sees the ball eventually won by Scots and cleared by Kellaway to the halfway with the (17) Newington replacement winger tackled by Porter over the line.
Good play by Newington over the next few minutes sees them work their way upfield and then receive a penalty for a ruck infringement by Scots. They take a scrum and the following play sees them take it to the line with the Newington prop held up over the line. Scrum to Newington which they win and spread the ball wide to the left to Tepai Moeroa who beats Kellaway one on one to score. The kick is unsuccessful and the full-time score is 33 – 20 Scots
The Teams
Newington played to their strengths through the game with their centres and wings making an impact in general play. Continued work by the forwards around the rucks and mauls saw good metres gained however inevitably lead to a turnover or a penalty.
Scots defence was the key to the game with turnover of Newington ball at critical times. The backs used the ball out wide and were more effective across the 9 to 15 which resulted in good long range tries.
The Players
Newington – Lussick, Kennewell, Moeroa, Milne and Mitchell all played solid games. In the forwards, Cannell, Vasilis and Tufui played consistently well.
Scots – Hard to pick standouts in the forwards as they all appeared to do their job in the set pieces and at the breakdown especially in defence. Ridley, Crossley and the backrow of Deer, Dunbar and Kamp were good and in the backs 9 -15 were consistently good with Kellaway a standout.
Wrap-up
A very entertaining game with Scots now leading the competition. Newington will have learnt a few lessons from this game and will be champing at the bit for the rematch at Scots which will be a cracker. I wouldn’t like to be playing against Newington next week.
Scots will head to Joeys for the game of the round with a win to Scots confirming them as favourites for the competition. A win by Joeys will leave the competition open.
Match Details
Scots — 33
Tries: Crossley, Porter, Yassmin, Kellaway.
Conversions: Styles, Kellaway.
Penalty Goals: Kellaway (3)
Newington — 20
Tries: Abrahams, Lussick, Moeroa
Conversion: Vasilis
Penalty Goal: Vasilis
Other matches
Second XV – Newington 38 Scots 19
Third XV – Newington 5 Riverview 38
16A’s – Newington 0 Scots 58
15A’s – Newington 41 Scots 7
Photos of Newington v. Scots by “Jasdec”
