Scots 29 — Riverview 15
by “Jasdec
Scots roll on—just.
First Half
The first 20 minutes was all Riverview with Scots hanging on under the onslaught. (6) Jack Hayson (7) Josh Macaness (8) Lincoln Whitely started like a house on fire and competed very well at the breakdown winning good ball and causing Scots to give away penalties on a regular basis.
(12) Tom Molloy (13) Henry Hutchison combined well at the centres and their defensive work was outstanding. Hutchison, with his technique at the tackle alone, had the Scots backs giving away penalties for not releasing the ball on two occasions. An early opportunity for points through a penalty was missed by (15) Freeman after 10 minutes.
Riverview’s first try came to (14) Sean Drennan who took the ball off the hip of (10) Jack McGregor and ran through the gap and inside (15) Kellaway to score under the posts. This was converted by Freeman for a 7 –0 lead to Riverview.
After 18 minutes a penalty tap was quickly taken by Riverview who spread it wide and through two tap-ons, which looked spectacular, the ball went to (11) Charlie McKay who scored in the corner. This try was not converted and the score was 12 – 0 Riverview.
Bill Freeman then took an opportunity shortly after to kick a penalty which took it to 15 – 0 after 21 minutes.
In this period of play Scots were continually under pressure at the breakdown with penalties the usual result. This pressure was also evident in defence where Scots continually dropped the ball or pushed passes.
The pendulum swung back to Scots in the second 20 minute period with a try to (6) Taylor Deer under the posts after good backup work from a Scots lineout. (10) Callum Styles converted for a score of 15 – 7 Riverview after 28 minutes.
A further try to (14) Christian Yassmin after 35 minutes was not converted by A Kellaway from the sideline and it appeared that he was in some discomfort. The half finished with a scoreline of 15 – 12 Riverview.
Second Half
For the first 16 minutes the play was back and forth with penalties and handling errors the feature mostly due to good defensive work by both teams.
Scots received a break from a lineout win in Riverview’s 40m. With the defence up quickly, Styles ran and chipped the ball over the centres which was missed by Freeman at fullback and (7) Hamish Dunbar won the 25m sprint to the tryline after kicking ahead. The conversion was unsuccessful by Styles and the score was 17 -15 Scots.
From the kickoff Scots brought the ball back up to the Riverview 10m line and with persistent forwards pressure sees (1) Isileli Fa drive over for a try next to the posts which was converted by Styles for a 24 – 15 scoreline.
The next 15 minutes was a repeat of the first stanza of the second half with poor handling and penalties a feature. A clearing kick in the 33rd minute didn’t find touch and winger Yassmin went on a long diagonal run to link with his other wing (11) Crafts inside to (13) Porter inside to (12) Starkey back to Porter to score a great try which was unconverted for a final score of 29 – 15 Scots.
The Teams
Riverview were brilliant for the first 20 minutes and were all over Scots to be well in the lead. That pressure could not be sustained for the full period and allowed Scots a sniff.
Scots withstood the initial storm and showed good character to claw their way back into the game. Good tenacious work carried them through the final period to secure the win.
The Players
Riverview – (6) Jack Hayson (7) Josh Macaness (8) Lincoln Whitely played very well in the loose. (12) Tom Molloy (13) Henry Hutchison were an excellent combination and dangerous all day.
Scots – (6) Taylor Deer (7) Hamish Dunbar (3) Will Ridley (4) Toby Rudolph and (5) Nick Kellaway never stopped whilst the backs were a Jekyll and Hyde act, brilliant at times and atrocious at others.
Wrap Up
Scots showed good strength to not let the game get away and then eventually come away with a win against a very committed Riverview side. From what was seen on the weekend, Riverview should start favourites for the 2014 year.
Scots can now win the premiership next week against Newington, however a loss will see them match up against Joeys the following week for a joint premiership. An interesting week is coming up.
Scoring details
Scots — 29
Deer, Yassmin, Dunbar, Fa, Porter Tries. Styles 2 Conversions.
Riverview — 15
Drennan and McKay Tries. Freeman a Conversion and a Penalty.
Second XV — Riverview 16 – Scots 24
Match reports of Queensland GPS games can be seen here.
