REPORT
Games v Blue Mountains Grammar School
Under 13s Coaches: Mr David Blackshaw, Mr Stewart Ross & Mr David Hitchick
This was a game played in two halves. The first half saw the All Saints’ team maintain possession and recycle the ball effectively to apply good pressure to their opponents who seemed disinterested. The team scored three excellent tries. Tom Morris and Hugh Elbourne led the way, driving the ball up field, breaking a number of tackles along the way. Nolan Parker was never far from the ball and tackled courageously. Adam Plummer and Miles Douglas again combined well in the centres to attack and defend as required. Mitchell Thompson had a brilliant game at fullback, returning the ball with his elusive side stepping runs through the forwards. Nick Smith continues to make his presence felt and the team was thankful to have Angus McClelland playing again after recovering from injury. Nick Peterson let the opposition know, in the clearest of terms that he loves to tackle - and tackle he did! The team was looking strong at half time, 17-0 but the wheels came off the wagon very quickly in the second half. With little possession in the second half, the team missed too many tackles to withstand the BMGS attack. Three tries in the first 10 minutes of the second half saw the scores equalize at 17-17. A battle ensued to see who would get across the line to finish off their opponent but unfortunately it was not All Saints’. The game of rugby is in two halves, but both must be contested to secure victory. Advice: One half of good football does not make a victory!
LOST: 17 - 24
Try Scorers: Hugh Elbourne, Cameron Sinclair and Miles Douglas.
Conversion: Angus McClelland 1.
Under 15s Coaches: Mr Patrick Sinclair, Mr Marcus Croft & Mr David Hitchick
This game was won from the front as the forwards took control, recycling possession and driving the ball forward at every opportunity. Establishing a 17-0 lead at half time the team faced a marauding BMGS team in the second half who came back strongly to score a number of excellent tries, applying substantial pressure. However, the All Saints’ team confronted with this predicament, stood their ground and fought back through the leadership of Doug Morgan-Thomas and Nelson Parker, who both worked tirelessly throughout the game to create opportunities for their team. Hungry for the ball, these young forwards were outstanding and they were well supported by Michael Harris (a younger member of the team who worked solidly in the ruck zone). Joel Kilburn continues to defy physics as he confronts bigger players who he knocks down with his technique and determination. Colin Whitchurch continues to develop his understanding of the game and forced a number of mistakes, in the opposition lineout. Kouch Akot made a number of desperate tackles, which saved certain tries being scored by BMGS. Ben Bayliss continued to work hard, supporting his team selflessly. The backs used the ball effectively and sent Carnaby Gilany through a gap to score a brilliant try from a set move. Max Hope, playing out of position at fullback, directed and encouraged his players, helping them to focus and read the game. His performance as the ‘last line of defence’ was excellent. It was a most encouraging performance from a team who continue to support each other unselfishly. Advice: A team that supports each other closely will always play their best rugby.
WON: 26-19
Try Scorers: Carnaby Gilany, Jack Ison, Doug Morgan-Thomas, Michael Waldren. Conversions: Max Hope 1, Michael Waldren 2.
ISA Points Tally = For 172 - Against 60.
Under 16s - The Motley Crew Coaches: Mr Greg Thornton & Mr Shawn Hooper
The Motley Crew remembered and heeded the advice that was issued after their last game against Chevalier - ‘Don’t wait for the second half to show your passion’. They came out of the starting blocks fired up, ready to explode! It was the best start the team had shown throughout the season and with a number of positions ‘up for grabs’, the players were keen to show their talent. The team was clearly led by Jock Suttor, Brenton Hall and Tim Cobden who hunted for possession like rampant dogs and would devour any opponent who stood in their way. Their hunger for possession was supported by the tight five who took excellent advantage of this fact and ran the ball up-field strongly from the ruck base. Nathan Bell, Chris Edwards, Julian Gaal and Donny Wass, in the front row, displayed their scrummage technique to the point where BMGS opted for ‘non contested scrums’. It was a dominant display of power and technique. Matthew Elbourne had an outstanding game, muscling up and driving the ruck forward at critical times, which helped to secure possession. Matthew Hill and Anthony Cozens (playing a little out of position) displayed similar tenacity, getting involved. Liam Veigel floated like a butterfly in the lineouts secured excellent possession for the team to use in attack. It was a dominant display from the forwards displaying teamwork and support. Matthew Hibberson, who displayed wisdom, fearlessness and courage, brilliantly directed the forwards. His knowledge of the game and his quick thinking around the ruck creates many opportunities for the team to use. Bill Hurley used his backline effectively, feeding the speedsters on the wings after drawing the BMGS defense in by using Max ‘hit it up’ Eggleton. Max was outstanding in taking the ball forward and defending aggressively. Austin Meulman, Damian Honeyman, Chris Garner and William McAloney (returning after a broken foot) ran strongly and combined together to pass the ball to the man in the better position. Matthew Elias chimed into the backline well and returned kicked ball strongly from dangerous situations. Advice: Passion makes a big difference – Keep playing with it!
WON: 53 - 7
Try Scorers: Bill Hurley 3, Brenton Hall 2, Max Eggleton, Matthew Hibberson, Tim Cobden, William McAloney. Conversions: Matthew Hibberson 4.
1st XV Coaches: Mr Scott Gardner & Mr Peter O’Neill
This was a game where the coach and supporters needed oxygen as the pressure mounted throughout the game. With the lead changing four times in the last 20 minutes, both teams were under pressure to score. Recycling possession or turning over possession gave each team a number of opportunities to mount pressure. While the All Saints’ team had displayed some excellent skills to score four tries (securing a bonus point), they had relaxed their guard against a young but tenacious BMGS team who capitalised on a couple of mistakes mid-way through the second half. While the character of the All Saints’ team was being tested, the players encouraged one another, devised a strategy and lifted their efforts to drive BMGS back into their own half to score a nail-biting victory. The coach, while being revived after the match, spoke highly of the team’s courage and focus when under pressure. While he thought the forwards were lacklustre from their three week holiday, he admired their ability to bounce back to meet the challenge on the day. He said that the double-cut move developed at training worked effectively, giving the outside backs more room to exploit the opposition. Paddy Webber used this space to score an excellent try beating his man on the outside. Outstanding forwards on the day were Riley de Mestre, Cameron Watt, Jake Thornton and Jay McKenzie. Brendan Farr, a new student this term, came on and scored a critical try late in the game to help secure victory for the team. Joshua Porter’s vision and his direction of his forwards from half back is creating a more unified attack around the ruck. It was a game All Saints’ was glad to win as they build toward their last two fixtures and a possible berth in the semi-finals. We wish them well in their home game fixture against Redlands next week. Advice: “The game is never over until the final whistle blows.”
WON: 24 - 22
Try Scorers: Joshua Porter, Brendan Farr, Paddy Webber, Riley de Mestre. Conversions: Kyle D’Adam 2.
Next Week:
1. Photos of all teams will be taken prior to their games against Redlands.
2. The ISA Competition continues with Round 8 on the 31st July with a Home Game against Redlands. All teams look forward to your support for our last Home Game of the season.
Greg Thornton (MiC Rugby)