Combined High Schools played Combined Associated Schools in a NSW Schools trial at Cranbrook yesterday and shocked them by winning the main game.
CAS surrendered a 14-0 lead and CHS, who could not earn a point in their dominant opening period, won the match when they scored 26 unanswered points and held on.
Earlier the CAS beat CHS in the 2nd XV match.
Rod Skellet reports on the contests.
Ist XV – CHS 31 – CAS 26
The size of the run-on teams looked evenly matched in the forwards but with the fitness and athleticism in favour of the CAS. This was reversed in the backs with Taulogo Lalaga (15) and William Latu (13) both looking big, fast and strong for the CHS team.
First half
The kick off had lock Lachlan Swinton take a mark that would make any AFL player proud, but a simple knock on in one of the following phases had the CHS attacking. For the next 15 minutes CHS had all the possession and were assaulting the Red’s line only to be held up or tackled behind the advantage line.
Eventually a turnover saw Bruce Thompson (CAS 10) show Kurtley Beale how to chip kick and regather to relieve the pressure and allow CAS to attack. A clever lineout move had Swinton combine with Milan Basson (CAS 6) to put diminutive winger Dion Narayan in for the first try of the match. He converted it also to have CAS in front, 7-nil.
CAS were not done, and clinical work by the CAS forwards, with Swinton, Milan and Hugh Margin (all Knox) combining, gave clean ball to the backs. 15 Ryan Longville ran along the touchline and kicked infield for 12 Joe Williams to regather the ball and pass, when tackled before the line, for 13 Peter Slaven to score a brilliant try. The extras put CAS ahead 14- nil.
But CHS finally woke up. Their forwards started to play some good rugby with Sam Musgrove (8) and Tony Lane (4) being prominent. Executing their first phase with precision and recycling well had them in good field position for Latu to score the simplest of tries.
CAS tried to hit back but when they did not kick the ball out from a penalty, a fine return of the ball by Lalaga (15) had CHS attacking, which led to a try by Alex Hills (5)
Half time score: CAS 14 – CHS 12
Second half
CHS got in good field position after a CAS error and after Latu off-loaded, Sonny Bill Williams style, Ethan Niszczot (CHS 14) scored. The conversion had CHS leading for the first time: 19 – 14.
Clinical ball handling by the CHS backs following good work from the forwards had Niszczot scoring again, after a great break by Lalaga, who was having a blinder.
At 26-14 the CAS coach brought on some 2nd XV players, Jordan, Purcell and Rasch to replace Slaven, Bassen and Margin, to give them a run in the Ones.
The subs worked, with Tyzac Jordan finishing a good backline move to score in the corner after receiving a nice draw and pass set up by a breakout from the CAS half.
CAS were fighting back but were still behind 19 – 26 about halfway through the second period.
CHS replied ten minutes later with a try to Sama Mololo next to the posts; the conversion made the score 33 – 19 to CHS.
Time was running out but replacement Tyzac Jordan (CAS 22 flyhalf) got his second try of the match (and third for the day) when he fielded a nice kick through and scored in the same corner.
At full-time CHS were the deserving victors, 33-24, after scoring five tries to four.
The match ups
Both front rows did a sterling job and the points should be split here with neither side dominating. Tim Anstey (CAS 1) was technically sound at scrum time and was also noticeable around the park to be the pick of the front rowers. It was a fine effort from a Year 11 lad.
The CAS second row of Swinton and Margin was more technically sound and more noticeable around the park than the CHS pairing.
The back row gong went the CHS with 8 Sam Musgrave and 6 Mathew Fisk notable at the breakdown although Harry McLennan (CAS 8) looked good with ball in hand.
Both halves combinations gave their backline plenty of opportunity.
The midfield of CHS was better with William Latu dominant, not only with the ball but also linking well with his winger Ethan Niszczot (grandson of Rabbitohs’ star “Ziggy”) and his fullback Taulogo Lalaga.
CHS fullback Lalaga was probably the difference between the two teams. His damaging runs and solid tackling gave room and opportunity for others to score.
Big Alex Diamond (CAS 14) touched the ball maybe three times but did not get the ball in space from his centres, who were bundled up too often. I think outside centre Jake Smirnotis may well be in the CAS 1st XV next week; his size and aggression linked with that of Diamond could make the CAS attack more potent than it was today.
NSW Schools watch
CHS – T Lalaga (15), W Latu (13), S Musgrave (8)
CAS – L Swinton (4), J Smirnotis (CAS 2nds 13)
2nd XV – CAS 31 – CHS 26
In the earlier game the CHS lads had a size advantage, but it was soon evident that the Reds had an edge in skill and technique. Strong running by Simon Purcell (CAS 8) put the CAS on attack, which led to to a try near to the posts by Liam Rasch (CAS 4).
Simple mistakes cost CHS possession and territory. They were just failing to click despite the obvious effort. Another good try to Sam Lawson (CAS 12), who ran at pace off a sublime pass from Robert Siteine (CAS 10), had the CAS boys in front 12-nil.
At this point the CHS coach made three critical changes to give some reserves a run and it tipped the balance. Samuel Matenga (CHS 17) scored followed soon after by winger Steven Gibson to level the scores at 12-all at oranges.
Jaeger Collins (CHS 7) was playing well as was George Pavlovic (CHS 12).
The CAS coach bought on the reserves and they too had an impact. Rhett Butler (CAS 21 halfback) had his backline gone with the wind. He got them on the front foot with crisp passing, but it was his subtle dummy that allowed him space to break the line and find Tyzac Jordan (CAS 22 flyhalf) who scored out wide.
A top individual try to Simon Purcell (CAS 8) had the Reds up 24-12 but a soft intercept try to Netane Masima (CHS 10) after the kick off kept them in touch at 24-19.
CAS responded with a classic through-the-hands backline move to see Jack Mazaraki (CAS 23 winger) score with the conversion making the tally 31-19 with a minute to go.
A consolation try on full time to Sama Malolo (CHS 18) ended the scoring.
Full time: CAS 31 – CHS 26
The Players
Best for CHS Jaeger Collins (7) George Pavlovic (12) and Steven Gibson (11)
Best for CAS Jake Smirnotis (13) Simon Purcell (8) Liam Rasch (4)
Under 16s
South Harbour beat North Harbour 36-19.
The game was even up until the last quarter when Cranbrook’s Finbar Stenmark (15) stepped up and cut loose either scoring or setting up three tries to be this writer’s man of the match.
He is definitely a player to watch.
Photos by Lee Grant
Video highlights
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