The NSW Under 20s had a tough trial yesterday against a Randwick team of mostly 2015 grade players who were older and stronger.
First half
Randwick had the wind behind them in the first half and the Juniors had trouble getting out of their own 22 let alone their own territory. They had to clear the ball often, which gave more possession to the Galloping Greens in good real estate.
When the Under 20s couldn’t defuse a bomb that sailed long, Randwick went over with a maul try to flanker George Harrison after 12 minutes.
The youngsters suffered from losing their own lineouts and in their one big chance, after Ned Yeomans was released on a raid, they took a scrum option close to the Randwick line, but were penalised.
After another poor lineout from the juniors the Greens scored again when Michael Salona went over.
Waratahs’ supplementary squad flyhalf Andrew Deegan converted both tries and at oranges the score was 14-0 to Randwick.
Second half
Things looked better after the break, and when Under 20 hooker Declan Moore had one of his punishing breaks, prop Harry Johnson-Holmes benefited and brought the score to 14-7, Randwick, after the Connor O’Shea conversion.
But the resurgence was short-lived and after the Greens galloped down their left side Lachlan Anderson dotted down near the corner and it was 19-7.
The Juniors were getting some chances but poor ball work, including losing it in contact, negated their efforts.
Two more tries to Randwick made the final score 33-7 to the Galloping Greens.
The legend
I had a yarn with Randwick;s 73-year-old patron Jeff Sayle who was watching his beloved club at the ground. Jeff may have been capped by NSW and the Wallabies but would be more proud of his his nearly-400 games for the Galloping Greens.
Jeff was glad to see the youngsters trial against older players and suggested it would great for their rugby. He said he played for a NSW Under 20 team in New Zealand in 1960.
First Grade scrummie Harry Boileau had a terrific game for Sayles’ beloved ‘Wicks with a non-stop effort, and fullback Lachlan Anderson was hard to handle, as was First Grade hooker David Vea. Deegan was a class act.
For the Under 20s hooker Declan Moore made up for some dodgy lineout throws by his rugged defence and some ball-running which broke several tackles, and Ned Yeomans made some impressive breaks.
2015 schoolboy lock Ryan McCauley showed the benefit of working with the senior Waratahs. Another schoolie, prop Harry Johnson-Holmes, impressed against older company as did youngster Max Girdler before he got a ding and had to retire.
The coach
Tim Rapp, who gave the boys a stern talk at half time, said there were some good parts in the game:
As for playing against players who were mostly older and more experienced:
There was a whole process behind our thinking in that; these kids—some of them haven’t played club foootie before and club footie is so valuable for the physicality—and [Randwick] had seasoned grade players out there who know how to play footie
They [are used] to tough stuff and this is going to put our guys in good stead for when they come up against 20-year-olds—by playing against men.
The final trial for the NSW Under 20s is scheduled against Sydney University: Friday 19th February, Bus Loop, Moore Park 5.30pm
Photos by Lee Grant
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