Rugby vs St Joseph's College

Transcription

1 Head Master's BulletinPrep NewsJunior School News PDF Version SPORT Rugby vs St Joseph's College Kitch Christie, formerly the Springbok Rugby coach of the 1995 World Cup team, commented in a post-game interview about the halftime talk in the change rooms. The scores were close. The South Africans were leading 9 6 at halftime. No tries had been scored due to the contrasting styles of the respective teams. The All Blacks played an expansive attacking game, while the Boks game-plan was essentially reliant upon defence, considering the effectiveness of key players including Mark Andrews, Ruben Kruger and Joost van der Westhuizen. Christie knew that if the Springboks continued to rely purely on their defence, the All Blacks sustained attack would eventually produce a try. He believed that every player in the change-room had to collectively believe in the way

2 forward. For even one player to have doubts would have meant losing. The first words he uttered were to question whether they ALL believed they could be victorious. Following their collective and vocal affirmation, he simply said that it was time for them to have the ball; although they worked hard on maintaining their defensive shape, it was nevertheless draining. In those ten minutes at half-time, the players adopted Christie s vision, sharing a collective attitude to fulfil their purpose. What lesson could we draw from this? Firstly, that a collective attitude of determination to succeed is grounded upon character to complete the vision. And, secondly, as educators we aim to make learning visible to our students, both in the classroom and on the sports field. By becoming aware of the protocols to follow when faced by visible and concrete obstacles, our players can confidently approach challenges within the safety of the classroom walls and the green fences protecting the School s perimeter in preparation for their life journeys. So, for the Rugby players reading this, strive for your goals, but ensure you are prepared to work towards them and have a plan. Andrea Folli MIC Rugby 1st XV The thirteen year hiatus since the last Rugby fixture between St. Joseph s College from Hunter s Hill and Trinity had not dampened the enthusiasm displayed by both schools on the Rugby field. Players from both teams took full advantage of the trial fixture to refine attacking plays and consolidate effective combinations. While both teams played to their strengths, the Trinity First Fifteen played a wide game early, taking the St Joseph s defence by surprise through frequent and rapid ball distribution, providing Byron Hollingsworth-Dissent (12Sc) options around his defender on the wing or through the channel outside the number thirteen, resulting in a tally of four tries in the first half. Kordell Payne (12Yo) and Matthew Langham (12We) were permanently alert for incursions through their channels, which they courageously defended, time and again. Cooper Chambers (12WJ) worked tirelessly around the rucks and was often called upon to clear the ruck ahead of some exhausted forwards in the second half. However, without the forwards, who provided a solid attacking platform by recycling the ball fluently in the early skirmishes, the talented backs may have struggled to penetrate Joey s defence. By half time the Trinity Firsts had scored all their 24 points, closing the chapter on a successful first half performance. However, the second half began like the first chapter of a new book. The momentum of the game shifted in St. Joseph s favour. The team from Hunter s Hill deferred to a deliberate pattern of building pressure through sustained forward control of the ball, slowly stripping Trinity s defensive shape. Despite the pressure imposed by St. Joseph s, Athan Pappas (11Sc) and Nicholas

3 Driessen (12Yo) sustained accuracy in their tackles and ball carries, when the opportunities presented themselves. While the theme of the first half was underpinned by the slick ball handling through the Trinity backs, the second half was a narrative of hard-fought inches in contest of forward attrition. As St Joseph s inched closer to the 24 point lead established by the Men in Green, the pressure began to affect the decisions of players in defence and attack. A combination of errors in defence by Trinity and relentless waves of rolling forward incursions, allowed the St. Joseph s First Fifteen to come within two points of Trinity s 24 point lead, with one minute to go in the game. When the referee s notification of remaining time echoed out across Number One Oval, spectators and coaches from both sides held their collective breath. A slight shift in the play saw the Trinity forwards secure the ball and quickly transfer the ball to their quick backs, but an isolated player near the Joey s twenty-two metre line turned the ball over, allowing the visitors the opportunity to hit back. Their forwards controlled the ball in a series of pick-and-goes, resulting in a final forwards try, securing the game for St Joseph s to win Despite the loss, the Trinity players displayed character and sportsmanship by heartily congratulating their opponents on their hard-earned victory. Although every experience provides opportunities to learn, it is the wise person who recognises these and uses them to their future advantage. Our First Fifteen lost the game, but not their desire to persist and improve on their performance for Cranbrook. Detur Gloria Soli Deo. Andrea Folli MIC Rugby

4 Tane Edmed (11Fo) kicking a conversion after a Byron Hollingworth- Dessent try (12Sc).

5 Kordell Payne (12Yo) penetrating the Joey s defence with a blitzing run through the middle.

6 Nicholas Driessen (12Yo) on another strong ball carry, rampaging through a backline channel. 16As 16As found it difficult to contain their excitement when they heard they were playing against Joey's on Saturday; and the game certainly did not disappoint! The game was a great spectacle from the first whistle to the last, with the end result seeing Trinity victorious for the second week in a row, against the respected cerise and blue. Joey s kicked off and immediately put pressure on Trinity forcing a knock on, clearly showing why they are so revered in the GPS competition. However, Trinity were then able to display their fearful scrum, dominating Joey s in every facet. After three resets of the scrums, Trinity forced the turn over and then went on the attack, with the backline displaying some fear of their own. After some snappy backline moves, and clinical breakdown work from the forwards, prop-forward Alex Leckie (10Ho) battered Joey s players aside to score under the post, with Sione Vuki (10He) adding the extras. Shortly after, fly-half Blaise McKee (10Ar) went over the line after some fancy footwork from the backs, bringing the score line to Joey s hit back quickly however, scoring a full length of the field try through their speedy winger. Trinity got back to their game plan, as the forwards continued to dominate every breakdown and scrum thrown at them. A bustling individual try to our other prop forward Stanley Zhang (11Mu) saw Trinity leading at half

7 time. The second half saw Joey s rise to the occasion, scoring two more tries against the play. Trinity, however, kept their composure running in a further three tries to Oliver Buchannan (10Sc), Ethan Grimmond (10He) and Captain Harrison Layton (10Du). The final score saw Trinity victorious All boys should be congratulated on a fantastic game, with much improvement from the previous week. We now look forward to the next challenge against Cranbrook on Saturday! Final Score: TGS 38 defeated SJC 26. Tries: Alex Leckie, Blaise McKee, Stanley Zhang, Oliver Buchannan, Ethan Grimmond, and Harrison Layton. Conversions: Sione Vuki (4) Nicholas Pay 16As Coach 15A A very pleasing hit out with some tough physical Rugby. Trinity showed some class against a team who knew how to move the ball quickly and carry strongly. Trinity was able to manage the game and retain ball, denying their opposition possession, ultimately winning the game through team game management rather than personal skills. Kai Young (9We) was outstanding, playing his second game in the front row; twice he stole possession from Joey s on his own goal line denying a try. Lachlan White 15As Coach 14A Trinity arrived at TGS 3 not knowing what to expect from the Joey s C team, but were prepared to take on anything that came their way. The match began well with Theo Kidd (8WJ) crossing for a very early try after a set move devised by Head Coach, Mr Campbell, off the back of the scrum. Theo went on to score 3 more tries on his own in what was a first half completely dominated by Trinity. Jack Casimir (8WH) was destructive in attack, making many incisive runs down the left hand edge of the field after kick-off returns. At half time Trinity led The second half provided a great opportunity for some of the players in the 14Bs to have a run in the side. Samuel Thanopoulos (8Hi) was outstanding and crossed the line for two tries of his own. Trinity ended up victorious Ian Moran 14As Coach 14B

8 Trinity backed up last week s committed effort with a solid seven-point victory over St. Joseph s D. Focused from the start, Trinity peppered Joey s line for the majority of the first half before Sam Thanopoulos (8Hi) busted through to score a confidence-boosting try. With a 7-5 lead at the half and full confidence, Trinity dominated the possession, scoring three consecutive tries through some good footwork by James Green (8He) and Sam Thanopoulos. Meanwhile Joe Huynh (8La) picked up a five-pointer by powering over after some good lead up work by the forwards. Ben Morrissey 14Bs Coach 13A We were only minutes into the game when Kai Roberts (8La) fended off some St Joseph s College defenders to cross in the corner for the first try of the game. His direct running and powerful leg drive in contact, made him challenging to contain as he continue to score a further three tries. The highlight try in the first half came from some beautiful hands in the backline allowing Nelson McEnallay-Mino (7Ke), to slide over the try line, scoring the team s fourth try. Although the team dominated the game, there are still many facets that require some work. Our speed, height and strength over the ball, in particular, must be a focus if we are to increase our speed of play to create greater attacking opportunities. Defensively, we must also continue to plug in and push up. Congratulations to Theo Christian (8He), Bailey Chambers (7Ta), Samuel Wade (8Ke), and Jaiden Timperi (7Hi), for also scoring some exciting tries. The 13A team had a convincing win of Stephen Heanly 13As Coach 13B Knowing nothing of Joey s other than names here and there like Beale and Burke, the 13Bs were wary of their opposition from the kick-off. We were very kind to our opponents, keeping well back from the last feet at the ruck, as if the off side line were some kind of electrified fence. However, once our cerise and navy guests leaked their first try, their ship started to sink, with more and more five-pointers being piled on. The second half saw Trinity rest a few of their players in order to even the contest, and Joey s came back with a really wellconstructed team try. However, Trinity continued scoring with nine tries total for the game. Special commendations have to go to Nelson McEnallay-Mino (7Ke) and Cooper Vimpany (Mu) who were both tireless in defence, consistently taking down players at least twice their size. Phillip Roser 13Bs Coach Results Trinity vs St Joseph's College 1sts L24/27

9 2nds L7/41 3rds L0/78 4ths L5/61 16A W38/26 16B L15/17 15A W20/12 15B L14/57 15C L14/25 14A W66/0 14B W24/17 14C L22/10 14D L5/64 13A W59/14 13B W51/5 13C L15/55 13D L5/64 The 15A scrum half spots a gap against the opposition s drifting defence.

10 Miles Amatosero (9Hi) is determined to challenge St. Joseph s defence. Malachi Hawkes (9WJ) running menacingly into a mid-field gap.