Newington v Scots
by “Jasdec”
On a wild, wet and windy afternoon, Newington were out to regain some pride.
After the previous matches and continued showers, the field was sodden and muddy where the two cricket pitches stood.
It took 90 seconds for (12) Crichton to break the Newington line and a sense of déjà vu permeated the enthusiastic supporters of both teams. This looked like being a blowout.
First half
Two early penalties to Scots, however they couldn’t utilise them with poor handling being a feature of this scrappy day.
With the wind favouring Scots in the first half they keep Newington in their half. A lot more kicking from both sides is evident in the early parts. Newington are struggling to get out of there half with any breakouts being counteracted by the Scots defence who force them back.
For the first 18 minutes, 90% of the game has been played in the Newington half with pressure being applied by Scots. Newington 10, 12 and 13 are playing well. On a number of occasions, Scots are too flat on the passing and forward passes emanate. Newington appear to target big (14) Hendrie with chips over the top making the outside backs turn in the mud.
First try to Newington after they eventually get out of their half and from an ensuing ruck spread it wide through (8) Duarte, (7 ) Clifford, (13)Loga-Tarogi to (14) Eruini-Bennet who scores towards the corner. The kick is unsuccessful; Newington lead 5 – 0 after 32 minutes.
After ten to twelve phases of play from the forwards, Scots find themselves on the Newington goal line where (8) Girdler dives over the ruck to lose the ball forward. Scrum to Newington five metres out.
The clearing kick from Newington found (11) Prindiville who passed long inside to (15) Porter who scooted back towards his winger beating 3 defenders before linking with (11) Prindiville who used his pace to go straight down the touchline to score in the corner despite the attention of three Newington players.
The kick was unsuccessful and the score is 5 – 5 at half time.
Second half
A penalty from the kickoff sees a scrum to Scots with the clearing kick from (10) England charged down however it was picked up by the ever-present (9) Strang who made the initial break and then linked with (12) Crichton to (15) Porter who passed to (11) Prindiville who headed for the try line for his second of the afternoon.
Conversion unsuccessful and the score is 10 – 5 to Scots after two minutes in the second half.
Newington forced Scots back to their 22 through some determined forward play and a kick which found (15) Porter who skirted around to find (14) Hendrie who stayed alive with ball. The ensuing ruck saw (6) Rudolf at half back passing to (9) Strang who palmed and sprinted his way between the Newington front row and ran 50 meters to score a great try next to the posts. (12) Crichton successfully converted to make the score 17 – 5 Scots after 6 minutes.
Penalty to Newington sees good pressure from the forwards especially (5) Piroddi and (1) Laimani in the pick and drive which is looking solid at this stage. A breakout from the Newington (7) Clifford sees him brought down short of the line by (15) Porter
Scots make a notable change to their scrum with (6) Rudolf going to prop (3) Sedgman to hooker and (2) Woods to blindside breakaway. This allows a better match up in the front with the amount of scrums now evident in the Scots half.
Penalties against Scots at the breakdown as Newington apply pressure through their forwards. They take the ball forward to the Scots line through a number of phases and eventually are rewarded with a try to (12) Kennewell out wide 18 minutes into the half. The kick by (15) Simonsson was successful and the score 17 – 12 to Scots.
The game has moved up and down the field with kicks, runs and kick returns being the name of the game. Newington haven’t been able to sustain the pressure with handling errors and execution letting them down at vital times.
Another break by (9) Strang sees him chip over the last line of defense with (12) Crichton in support. Newington backs regather in front of their posts however knock on 5 metres out. (15) Porter had two cracks at the line and was centimetres short each time.
The second attempt saw a ruck form and (8) Girdler decided to go through it this time rather than over it and score in the corner. The kick was unsuccessful and the final score was Scots 22 Newington 12.
The teams
Newington at home and in the wet were a different team than the last round. It was never going to be a cricket score with a lot of pride being shown.
Scots changed their game plan to suit the conditions and the opposition, and came away with a deserved win.
The players
Newington
(5) Tom Pirrodi, (7) Campbell Clifford and (13) Sepesa Loga-Tarogi were prominent for Newington. Their forwards in general put in a good effort.
Scots
(9) Theo Strang, (15) Guy Porter and (8) Max Girdler had strong games games. (12) Crichton ran hard all day and defended well.
The wrap-up
Scots came to Newington to win and the question was by how much. With the rain through the week and on the day this helped even things out.
Newington’s big forwards enjoyed the play and were mostly matched by Scots. The game plan had changed from the previous week with a lot more kicking and gaining of territory as the predominant goal.
The big difference on the day was Scots halfback, Theo Strang, who was brilliant in the conditions and utilised them very well to score a try and set up another. Overall the game was tense and entertaining for both sides.
The scoring
Scots 22 (J. Prindiville 2, T. Strang, M. Girdler tries; A. Crichton con) def. Newington 12 (L. Eruini-Bennet, S. Kennewell tries; B. Simonsson con).
Other results
First XV — Scots 22 – Newington 12
Second XV — Newington 33 – Scots 12
Third XV — Scots 19 – Newington 12
Photos Scots v. Newington by “Jasdec”
See video of highlights in”Discussion” below
