Oakhill College defeated rugby powerhouse and favourites for the ISA title, St Augustine’s College in their 4th round encounter at Oakhill on 21 July. Playing in front of a capacity and vocal home crowd the Oakhill boys beat Augustine’s at their own game to record a 32 to 21 points victory.
by Crofty
Both teams played a physical and expansive game but the Oakhill backline outplayed their more fancied rivals in the five tries to three victory. Indeed, Oakhill led 32 – 7 with only 5 minutes remaining but Augustine’s never say die attitude added some respectability to the score-line with two late converted tries.
Oakhill took first points via a penalty to inside centre Woodward. The blustery conditions contributed to Woodward missing two earlier penalty attempts. Conversely, Augustine’s chose not to kick for the points when awarded a couple of penalties in Oakhill’s 22 but the Oakhill defence was steadfast with lock Linaker, LHP prop Holden and flanker Tuckwell repelling the forward charges and flyhalf Hoolahan and his #12 Woodward nullifying the midfield raids. The two Augustine’s locks Philip & Lloyd were very strong during this passage, both wrecking havoc every time they touched the pill.
Oakhill lost their captain for 10 min when Tuckwell was binned for a high shot on Natoli. By that stage Natoli was working himself into the game nicely with his customary snipes and good service to his outside men. The first Oakhill try came while Tuckwell was still in the bin; outside centre Canning took an intercept near his own line and the ball was worked downfield. Hoolahan then split the midfield channel, the forwards had a couple of pick n goes and it was fed left through the hands to winger Casey who outsprinted the cover. The try was unconverted for an 8 nil lead.
Oakhill halfback Gonzalaz was matching Natoli in terms of impact on the game – the battle of the two #9s was top shelf. Augustine’s lost Lloyd for 10 min when he was binned for taking out a player out not in possession of the ball and during this time Oakhill scored their 2nd try. They took a tap just inside the Augustine’s 22, the ball was again fed left through the backs, forwards arrived in support and a couple of phases later, lock Anderson dived over. The unconverted try made it 13 nil.
Augustine’s got their first points just before half time when outside centre Blake split the line at pace. The converted try made it 13 – 7 at half time.
Both teams came out firing in the second half and the forward exchanges were brutal. The Augustine’s pack were faultless at the set piece all day – their scrum was particularly impressive and they never looked like losing their own lineout throw and stole quite a few Oakhill lineouts. It must be said, however, that the Oakhill forwards won the battle of the breakdown; their counter rucking was passionate and effective.
Oakhill almost scored early after Woodward took the line on and off loaded, the ball was fed wide but the final pass went to ground with the line open. They made amends soon after though when Gonzalez picked up a charging Woodward from a scrum 15m out – the big bloke is unstoppable from that range. He converted his own try to take the score to 20 – 7.
Natoli unfortunately had to leave the field with a leg injury midway through the 2nd half. It didn’t appear to disrupt Augustine’s too much as his replacement, Smart played very well.
Oakhill got their bonus point try after the forwards stole a ball at the breakdown and the ball found its way to fullback Cotton who grubbered ahead and right wing Collins won the race to the line. Woodward missed from out wide and it was 25-7.
The 5th Oakhill try was pure rugby poetry in motion. Woodward slipped the most beautiful pop pass to Cotton on his shoulder 40m from the line and Cotton exploded through the defence to score. Woodward converted for 32 -7.
Both teams were dead on their feet by this stage but Augustine’s had more in the tank in the dying stages and Lloyd was rewarded for a fine game with a great individual try where he beat at least 4 defenders. Winger Ibboston scored on the bell to make the final score 32 – 21.
St Augustine’s were best served by their two locks Philip & Lloyd and their halfback Natoli. Blindside flanker Walker also worked hard all day. Oakhill recognised Lloyd as the pick of the Augustine’s players at the after match function.
Hard to call out Oakhill’s best as all 15 players stepped up. The boys gave their player’s player to fullback Cotton. Woodward was outstanding at 12 and 9 & 10 Gonzalez & Hoolahan were up there as well. The forwards hunted and worked as a pack and laid a great platform for the backs. Up front Holden had an enormous game in his return from a broken hand. Linaker at lock was equal to Philip & Lloyd in terms of impact on the game. Tuckwell was everywhere – his cover defence was outstanding and Goddard at the back of the scrum gained many metres with his powerful running.
A great game played by two impressive sides. The win places Oakhill in prime position to win the ISA competition with 3 rounds remaining. With both teams on opposite sides of the Waratah Shield draw there is a chance they could meet in the final – a salivating prospect.
The Oakhill video analyst generally posts a brief highlights package on the College’s rugby Facebook page for those interested in seeing some footage of the game.
