Newington and Scots, the two undefeated teams, met at Stanmore in Round 4, but two other schools gave notice that they were still the the race – just.
Riverview 38 – Shore 15
by “George Smith”
Weather – Sunny with a cross breeze.
The game had the intrigue and anticipation of a schoolboy match that everyone wanted. Thanks to the demographics shared by each school nearly every player had played with or against each other for club or school, or both.
Following the spirited precursor, where the visiting school got up with some great scrummaging and astute kicking, the jovial and friendly crowd waited for the main fixture with much anticipation (& hope).
The scoring
For most of the match the play was between the 22s. The piggies were contesting vigorously with neither pack getting any dominance. However it was the Riverview backs that set the pattern through excellent work by their captain Tom Molloy (#12).
View opened the scoring when Henry Hutchison (#13) scored out wide and then Molloy made a sweet incursion into Shore’s half again to put his rampaging prop, Nathan Kelly (#1) under the posts for a pie which was easily converted by Bill Freeman (#15).
Shore worked their way back to View’s 22 through excellent support play only to be inflicted by a ‘Campese-like’ overhead blind pass in the hope of continuity – but View caught it with glee and launched a counter attack that eventuated with Hosea Fotukava (#2) scoring down the other end.
In true schoolboy rugby traditions this didn’t deter the Shore lads who then worked their way back to View’s 22. On a short lineout Olly Stump (#2) and Paddy Olver (#4) had a little interplay to put Stump over for Shore’s first try.
Then on the restart the crowd on the hill all took a breadth … … … from the kick Paddy Olver (#4) took the ball above his head only to see big Jack Bowditch (#4) bearing down. With the ensuing collision, quickly followed by players from both teams trailing, the referee quickly blew his whistle. Both lads were concussed and needed assistance to leave the field.
Riverview regrouped and three phases later their enterprising and Australian Schoolboy representative, Henry Hutchison (#13) benefited from his excellent backs around him to scamper over the top of Shore to score out wide and Freeman kicked another conversion.
From the restart Shore lost their other lock, Sam Cater (#5) with a knee injury sportingly clapped off by the View lads. Soon afterwards the ref blew half time and Riverview went to have oranges leading 24-5.
Running into the sun, View swung the ball right through excellent run/catch/pass skills to score out wide and Bill Freeman (#15) kicked the difficult conversion. Again Shore were not done ! From a sloppy lineout the irrepressible openside flanker, Jum Woodhill (#7) galloped towards the right corner to be brought down by the scrambling defence and the popped pass found his co-flanker Angus Cooke (#6) who crashed over for the try.
As in all traditional schoolboy footy matches where the game seesawed tirelessly this game was no different. View’s flyhalf, Jack McGregor having instigated many a foray finished one himself when he slid over for his first try. Bill Freeman (#15) again converted from the sideline. Then Shore came back at View for a sustained period and Harry Emery (#9) scored an excellent try.
The ref blew final whistle with View ahead 38-15 (six tries to three).
The Players
Both sets of forwards played well. By all accounts it was torrid in the pigpen with neither sets willing to concede.
Views backs were the difference. Bill Freeman (#15) was my MOTM through his soft hands, great linking and excellent kicking. Henry Hutchison (#13) was always dangerous but the whole backline played with purpose and endeavour.
Shore never gave up. Their captain, Jack Clancy (#10) led from the front with a good all round game. Scrumhalf, Harry Emery (#9) gave good service and took a lot of pressure.
The Infirmary
Jack Bowditch (concussion) appeared to be View’s only major casualty with Shore coming worse off with Paddy Olver (concussion), Sam Cater (knee), Harvey Duncan (hip) and Charlie King (leg).
See Page 2 for Lee Grant’s match report on Joeys v. Kings
