GAGR Match of the Round: Gregory Terrace at The Southport School
By Nic Darveniza (TheKing)
In a result not many could have predicted, The Southport School have thrashed a Premiership contender at home, firmly establishing themselves as a major factor in the outcome of the 2014 season.
Spectators could tell that not all was right with world when The Southport School drove the ball from deep within their 22 to score a try on their opening possession of the match, some 19 phases in a row. The fans seated in the Shark Tank could barely contain their excitement as flyhalf Tyler Campbell kicked the extras, but a stunned silence had fallen over a normally vocal contingent of supporters in the Red and Black corner.
Another strong class of loose forwards were making their mark on the game in defence, with both Angus Allen and Captain PJ Van Den Burg completing pilfers while the game was finding it’s feet as well as contributing to the running and link game with the back line. Funnily enough Van Den Burgs pilfer was off the carry of GT Captain Moroney, who Van Den Burg was snubbed for in the GPS and Queensland trials. Needless to say the young Southport flanker had a bone to pick.
Though TSS were performing admirably with the ball they proved they were not adverse to playing territory, but a weak kick chase early (outside of Tyler Campbell) nearly cost the home side as the Round 1 double scoring fullback Nick Weller was at his elusive best, slipping four tackles on the return.
The set piece battle was set to be an interesting one, with neither side boasting a front row of great repute, but TSS were able to counter some subtle boring in early scrums to great effect, driving GT back on both teams feed. TSS halfback Jordan Lenac nearly broke away to score in the 8th minute if not for a desperate ankle tap from GT Hooker Dominic Fraser
A penalty for not rolling away set the scene for Southport’s next advance in to Terrace’s red zone, but the home side were met with some spirited defence. As TSS upped their offloading efforts, recording 4 offloads in 2 phases, GT wing Quilian Pritchard-Malaki looked up and snaffled an interception. Though he couldn’t get far a breakdown penalty in the following ruck released the pressure that had built up with each offload inside the 22. From the lineout GT moved the ball through the hands to fullback Nick Weller, who beat 4 defenders by sprinting through a quarter of a gap in the defensive line. Flanked by chasing beach boys Weller was ice cold under pressure, drawing and passing to his right wing Campbell Grigson to finish a clinically executed backline move 20 in from touch. Though he had a wobbly start to the season with the kicking boot, sharpshooter Flyhalf Alex Horan was on point to equalise.
