Ipswich Grammar @ Churchie
By Will Rafter (RuggasXV)
The ACGS team put on a strong, albeit unpolished, first performance in front of a very vocal crowd, eager to live up to hype surrounding their star studded team. IGS looked in it at the outset, their forwards working well at ruck times, but they were ultimately let down by their dismal set piece and, giving the ACGS backline plenty of room to run riot against an opposition who was struggling to find form in both attack and defence.
1st HALF
ACGS utilised their backs early, playing the expansive game through their fantastic handling skills in the backline. The play ended up in touch on the halfway line yet a botched IGS lineout, the first of many, gave ACGS another shot at attack, this time through their forwards, before earning the first penalty of the match. A fantastic kick for touch by #8. Harley Fox put ACGS in a good position to earn some points yet the dominance of the IGS forwards at the breakdown produced a turnover before some good meters down the left hand side was put into touch in front of a very vocal Churchie crowd. Defence was looking strong from both teams but ACGS faltered and gave away a penalty in the 5th minute, 45 meters out from their goal line. IGS #8. Maranatha AJ Raeli showed some skill and slotted the penalty kick nicely, netting his team the first points of the match. 3-0 to IGS. An exciting first five minutes had spectators thinking that this game might be closer than they expected.
The ACGS backline were finding it hard to click into gear, dropping a number of passes, throwing some forward and looking a little disjointed in their first outing of the season. After impressively winning a scrum against the feed, the ball was lost yet again and after a rare lineout win by IGS on their 5m line, the clearance kick was followed by an overcooked quick line out, followed by another blunder of a flick pass. It was silly errors like these that marred the slick backline that was Churchie’s. The IGS forwards were making them pay and after working their way into ACGS territory, another ruck penalty gave Raeli another chance at points in the 12th minute. The kick was successful and IGS extended their lead to 6-0.
ACGS quickly responded with a penalty goal of their own through the boot of #9. Harry after a fantastic take off the kick-off by ACGS #11. Ben Ogilve produced a nice opportunity for his forwards to make meters, making the score 6-3.
The IGS pack were continuing to make life a misery for ACGS at the breakdown, starving them of possession for the next few minutes before trading kicks and some smooth handling by the ACGS backline saw #14. Brodie Croft into space before a neat little inside ball put #13. Izaia Perese in under the posts, somehow untouched by the IGS defenders around him. Nucifora was able to convert and bring the score to 10-6 in the 17th minute. It seemed just a little bit of space was all it needed for the ACGS backs to ignite.
Another penalty in the ACGS 22 in the 21st minute gave Raelia his third shot at goal to make the score 10-9, after a neat dart off the ruck by #9. Harry Parcell. The horrible IGS line-outs were taking their toll yet errors still plagued their opposition. The resulting kick-off two minutes later began the downfall of IGS. Another great take off the kick by #5. Angus Scott-Young saw ACGS move into their opposition 22 and some more shocking defence by the IGS backs, complemented by some fancy footwork, put #15. Kalyn Ponga straight through for a try. Nucifora’s kick brought the score to 17-9, before Parcell had to retire with a head injury.
The ACGS backline had seemed to switch on and were showcasing some great speed and ability to make meters out of nowhere and produce some fantastic moves. IGS seemed to go into shock, the rest of the half characterized by errors and poor defence, not helping their already poor set-piece. ACGS took full advantage, showing their skill with a beautiful set-piece move to put Croft over the chalk in the 29th minute. Nucifora added the extra’s to bring the score to 24-9.
IGS didn’t look close to threatening their opposition at any stage throughout the rest of the match. The ACGS backs had switched on and were putting enormous pressure on the IGS attack and another lost line-out saw Perese through again to score before half time. Nucifora missed his first kick of the afternoon and both teams retired with the score 29-9 after a somewhat sloppy first half, yet graced by some dazzling moments from the ACGS backline.
2nd HALF
Play resumed in much the same fashion as it had started. ACGS continued to make silly errors that brought their attacking prowess to a halt whilst IGS struggled defensively to contain the big runs by the Churchie forwards. Finally, after possession had changed hands a number of times in the IGS 22, Ponga was able to work some magic and push his way outside his man, before a tidy switch play saw Perese in for his third try of the match. Nucifora missed the kick and the score was 34-9 in the 44th minute and the margin was only looking to get bigger.
ACGS were continuing to push their hand, passes still floating forward despite their handling. On a higher note, they continued to put enormous pressure on their opposition both at set piece and in broken play, effectively neutralising whatever IGS threw at them. Another stellar piece of footwork by Ponga in his own territory saw ACGS escape some brief danger and work their way downfield and a deft chip from #10. Mack Mason saw them score after a rare ACGS turnover at the ruck gave #7. Liam Wright his first points. Nucifora nailed the kick and the score was 41-9 in the 48th minute.
A number of substitutions had been made from both sides at this stage and whilst ACGS still had their stars on, they were unable to score anymore points for the next 15 minutes. IGS got desperately close to score, #12. Ethan Page making strong meters in a poor backline. Yet the defence of the Churchie boys was too good and after the ball was held up, the following phase of attack saw #2. Josh Webb make an outstanding strip and sprint off into the IGS half. A close save yet again.
The line-outs were becoming a liability for IGS, who seemed to be unable to win any of their throws, which was a problem, given the number of penalties they were given. Errors threatened to keep any team from scoring, but some more superb hands from the ACGS backline saw replacement winger #20. Lachlan Bell score in the corner. Nucifora was again unable to add the extras and the score was 46-9 with five minutes to go.
The final minutes of the game saw sloppy play from both sides, yet a good take from the kick-off and some big forwards runs saw #2. Unga Wolske score the only try for IGS right before full time. The kick by #11. Bryce Edwards was successful and the game ended 46-16 to ACGS.
IGS will be disappointed with their performance in their first game with too many errors at set-piece time and lack of structure under pressure. ACGS weren’t without their own faults, however, and their extremely dangerous backline was constantly let down by silly errors. Had all passes gone to hand, the score line would’ve shown a much bigger margin, as ACGS showed superb speed and skill in the backs, complemented by punishing runs from the forwards. Watch out for this ACGS team on the rise.
SCORING
ACGS 46 (Tries: Izaia Perese (3), Kalyn Ponga, Brodie Croft, Liam Wright, Lachlan Bell, Cons: Harry Nucifora (4), Pens: Harry Nucifora) defeated
IGS 16 (Tries: Unga Wolske, Cons: Bryce Edwards, Pens: Maranatha ‘AJ’ Raeli)
PLAYERS
ACGS
#15. Kalyn Ponga – Showed great skill with the ball in hand and has amazing footwork ability.
#8. Harley Fox – Punished IGS with some strong runs downfield and showed some skill with the boot.
#13. Izaia Perese – Brilliant speed and support lines earned him his tries, whilst proving a menace in defence.
IGS
#12. Ethan Page – A strong runner with the ball, providing valuable meters amidst a failing backline.
#8. Maranatha AJ Raeli – Also gained meters for his team whilst showing some skill off the tee.
