Scots v. Newington – Clash Of The Titans.
by “Jasdec”
Newington 32 — Scots 21
Scots beat Newington away in their first meeting of the season at Stanmore, and were undefeated in 2013 with two rounds to go. Scots were entitled to be favourites for the return match at their home ground at Belleview Hill but they knew that Newington could not be taken lightly.
The scoring
First Half – It was 5–0 Newington after five minutes when (13) Tepai Moeroa finished off some crisp backline movement in the Scots 22 to score the first try. (9) Joey Lussick was unable to convert.
A penalty shortly thereafter against (1) Vunipola Fifita for a high tackle saw (15) Andrew Kellaway bring the score to 5–3 Newington.
The next period of play saw Scots absorb a lot of pressure with Newington continually using their backs to good effect with some very good defence keeping them out. It couldn’t last and after 16 minutes Newington pushed it wide for (11) Simon Kennewell to go over in the corner, with the conversion again unsuccessful. 10 – 3 Newington.
Another movement down the left side saw the ball taken by Kennewell down the sideline to eventually pass it to (12) Ellis Abrahams to score in the corner. Lussick was successful and the score went to 17 – 3 after 18 minutes.
From the kickoff Scots were able to win the ball and quickly pressured Newington in their own 22. A maul moved the ball to the tryline with (7) Hamish Dunbar eventually working his way over. The conversion was missed and the score was 17 – 8 after 20 minutes.
A penalty to Scots saw a quick tap by (8) Ollie Kamp who had Dunbar in support and a pass to Andrew Kellaway saw him beat a number of defenders to eventually pass it to (13) Guy Porter to crash over in the corner. 17 – 13 Newington with the kick unsuccessful.
Before half time Newington pressured Scots line on a number of occasions with (6) David Morris being held up the line and Moeroa also being a handful.
Second Half – Scots came out firing and pressured the Newington line with a penalty seeing a quick tap taken by Dunbar who takes it forward for (1) Isileli Fa to go over for a try. Conversion unsuccessful for Scots to lead 18 – 17 after five minutes.
A penalty to Newington with Scots offside at the breakdown sees Lussick kick it and Newington back in the lead 20 – 18. The next 20 minutes sees a good battle between both teams with the possession moving between the quarters with no real advantage to either team.
The deadlock is broken with a penalty to Scots after an infringement by (15) Taane Milne sees a caution issued. The kick is successful by Kellaway and Scots go back to the lead 21 – 20 with eleven minutes to go.
Both teams of forwards gave as good as they get and a tense five minutes sees no change to the score. With Newington pressuring Scots, (1)Fa is yellow carded for coming in from the side ofthe ruck to take out the Newington (5). Lussick’s kick hits the RH upright and is taken out by Scots.
This is the game changer with Newington taking advantage of the weakened scrum and winning possession from penalties against Scots. Good ball movement from Newington from one side to the other sees (15) Taane Milne score on the left which is unconverted and sees Newington lead 25 – 21 with two minutes to go.
A final scrum to Newington five metres out sees Scots overpowered and Lussick made a dart for the blind and is followed by (5) Anthony Vasilis to score a final try. This was converted by Taane Milne to take the score to 32 – 21 at fulltime.
The Teams
Scots were definitely up for this game with the GPS premiership at stake. They hung tough and were never out of the match until the last five minutes.
Newington started well and played as though they meant to continue. Then they put the accelerator down at the end of the game.
The Players
Scots — (8) Ollie Kamp (7) Hamish Dunbar (4) Toby Rudolf and (12) Ben Starkey never stopped trying in defence or attack. Kamp was excellent all game and put his body on the line time and again.
Newington – (1) Vunipola Fifita and (3) Mesui Tufui were very strong in the game and set a great platform. (11) Simon Kennewell, (12) Ellis Abrahams, (13) Tepai Moeroa and (15) Taane Milne showed great class in a very good backline.
Wrap Up
An absolute arm wrestle with excellent hard rugby being played by both teams. It was a great spectacle for all the families, old boys and both schools who should proud of the brand of football on display.
Captain Lachlan Cannell acknowledged in the post game function that Newington had been planning for this rematch for some time and it showed. Scots now have to back up against a wounded Joeys next Saturday to secure a joint premiership for 2013.
[one_half last=”no”]Match Details
Newington — 32
Moeroa, Milne, Abrahams, Kennewell and Vasilis Tries.
Lussick a Conversion and a Penalty. Milne Conversion.
Scots — 21
Dunbar, Fa, Porter Tries. A Kellaway 2 Penalties.
Other matches
2nd XV — Scots 43 – Newington 13
3rd XV —Scots 22 – TAS 31[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]
[/one_half]
Photos by “Jasdec”
Click on arrow to see the match report on Riverview v. Shore by Chris Ng on Page3
