NSW GPS – Thriller at Hunters Hill

Kings v Riverview

by “umbrella-defence”

Kings show fight as Riverview bounce back from a disappointing Round 5 in a scrappy affair.

With both schools carrying a few injuries, the teams had a different shape from those in the first round. Notable absentees included James Kane from Kings and Henry Hutchinson from Riverview, though in both cases the teams stepped up to fill the void.

First half

It was clear from the outset that Kings had come to play, and their effective restarts/kick-offs served as an ongoing motif of this passion. It was through this mechanism that the Parramatta boys were able to starve Riverview of possession, while their effective runs up the middle enabled significant territorial gains.

Consequently, Kings dominated the first 20-odd minutes of the game. That and poor discipline cost Riverview big time as Orpen slotted two for Kings from in front to take the score to 6 – 0.

The intensity of the Kings boys was impressive, but Riverview responded with a passage of fast-ball and solid execution as they gained metres via the impressive ball carrying of Beau Peterson (#4) and Evan Pritchard (#2), who both seemed to be everywhere at once on the field.

As Riverview edged gradually closer to the line, Kings desperate defence was impressive, but eventually Riverview’s fly-half Jack McGregor crossed after bumping off his opposite man.  He converted to take the score to 7 – 6.

Then Kings were able to regain the possession and territory advantage that that gave them ascendancy earlier.  The work rate #6 George Lehman was impressive and he was duly rewarded with a try after a period of strong play by Kings.  Orpen converted for Kings to lead 13 – 7.

Both teams vied for supremacy but Riverview made it easier for Kings with more poor discipline. Two more penalties in front of the sticks enabled Orpen to boost the View deficit to twelve points.

Some good fortune and promising play built up significant pressure for Kings with the half-time siren nigh and they finally managed to get their hands on the pill again.  Eventually Jack Hayson (#8) broke the line from about 30m out, and after some deft footwork and powerful collisions he crossed under the sticks to make the kick for McGregor easy.

With that action, the first half came to an end with the score 19 – 14 to Kings.

Second Half

The second half was no where near as tight as the first, as Riverview ran away with the game, to the chagrin of the Parramatta supporters.

Riverview began the half with renewed vigour – presumably there was something in the oranges – with a secure restart (a rare occurrence considering Kings dominance in this area) facilitating a period of good possession.

McGregor (#10) was brilliant for Riverview during this period, and (in this writer’s opinion) played his best game yet for the Blue and White. In one instance, he showed great vision and confidence to take the ball on the blindside, and outrun and outmuscle the confused Kings’ defenders to cross at the Pennant Hills Road end to take the score to 19-all.

Kings didn’t lie down though, and Hugh Yates (#15) was solid at the back, neutralising Riverview’s kicking game. He made exciting runs and defended well, and his spirit was commendable. Lehman did his school proud as his workload remained magnificent.

In spite of this passion, Riverview’s execution was solid, and eventually ill discipline – the bane of Riverview in the fist half – cost Kings as the View boys kicked down field off a penalty to have a line out five metres out.

After an initial execution error, which saw Kings penalised yet again for a premature counter-offensive maul while Jack Rudd (#5) was in the air, Riverview managed to set a solid maul.  A nifty double round move saw Conor Menzies (#7) cross at the back. McGregor’s conversion took the score to 26 – 19.

A significant dampener on Riverview’s good play were a number of injuries. At around this point McGregor (#10) limped off, while Hayson (#8) and McBryde (#11) each had time off at some point in the half. This resulted in a bit of a reshuffle, as View’s #12 Joe Stageman played fly-half, while Jack Morrison (played #6) and Tom O’Reilly (played #11) , arguably the 2nd XV’s best player, got a run.

Nonetheless, Riverview continued to play well, with recently promoted 2nd XV #3 Alex Hancock running a great line to bag some meat under the posts, this time converted by Bill Freeman (played #13), taking the score to 33 – 19.

Not to be outdone, 16 year old Will Therry (#15), who was also recently promoted from the Twos, exhibited tremendous athleticism to bag a pie in an insane one man effort which Freeman converted to take the score to 40 – 19.

With the game all but over, Kings continued to demonstrate their ferocity as Powell crossed under the sticks following some blisteringly fast ball.

With that the ref blew it up, with the full time score 40 – 26.

The Players

Kings

3 points – George Lehman. Ridiculously high work rate and lots of strong carries – he earned his try.

2 points – Orpen. His boot accounted for 16 of Kings’ points, which is in itself indicative of his contribution. His general play was also strong, as he controlled the game well.

1 point – Hugh Yates. Was spirited at the back, and at times electrifying as his carries accumulated long yardage.

Riverview

3 points – Jack McGregor. The confidence and vision this kid is showing is tremendous, though injury reports are concerning for next week.

2 points – Will Therry. Really stepped up to the plate today in what is only his 2nd 1st XV game. Fullback might just be his position, and his try proved that he has the athleticism to back up his vision.

1 point – Beau Petterson. Beau is just a consistent workhorse, and clearly enjoys hurting people (in a good way). He is a destructive ball runner, and a menacing defender, with both qualities exhibited in this game.

Wrap up

Kings

Despite the loss, there were plenty of positives for Kings. Their set piece was strong, and their restarts were extremely effective. It was a marked improvement from the 1st round, though the absence of James Kane – who had played in a few games up to this point – was telling.

They will rue their passages of weak play in the second half, but it is safe to say that Kings were better than the score indicates.

Riverview

Riverview were scrappy and ill disciplined in the first half, possibly attributable to the injuries and absences. After their spirited, but disappointing, performance against Scots last week, the Blue and White had a lot to prove, and it seems that the season is back on track.

The scoring

Riverview 40 (McGregor 2, Hayson, Hancock, Freeman, Menzies tries; McGregor 3, Freeman 2 cons) def,   Kings 26 (Lehmann, Powell tries; Orpen 2 cons, 4 pens)

Newington 24 — Shore 15

There is no formal report for this game but “forum flanker” reports in the forum:

•  Each side scored three tries.

•  Newington’s goal kicker slotted all three conversions plus a penalty.

•  Newington’s defence was rock solid in the second half.

•  If Shore could have kicked three “easy” conversions the score would have been 21-21 at half time instead of 21-15.  That could have made a difference in the mind set of the Shore players after the break.

•  Newington’s performance in the 16As indicates that they will be strong in years to come.

Scoring details:

Newington  24 (Latunipulu 2, Kennewell tries; Simmonson 3 cons, pen) def. Shore  15 (Woodhill, Wrench, Connelly tries).