1st XV Rugby – July 20, 2019. SPC d XC

St Patrick’s College 1^st XV vs Xavier College (H) (20/07)

Full time: 39 -“ 3 (HT 17-3)

Try scorers: Ethan Jessop (2), Kenny O’Connor, Hayce Alama, Riley Williams, Archie Pollard, Charlie Delaney

Conversions: Hayce Alama (1/2), Kenny O’Connor (1/5)

We will consign this performance to the history records very quickly. Whilst there may be an element of -job done- in terms of the win and securing Minor Premiership, the performance was abject at best and we can only hope that the playing group learns from this experience.

Our opponents were respected, the result was not.

Too many in the group expected the win and Xavier, who had nothing to lose, given they were expected to be on the wrong side of the result, played with a freedom, but also commitment that was lacking from our performance.

Most notably, however, was the polish that our performance lacked.

We can look to blame the state of the field, that was certainly heavy under foot, but this would be generous to our own ability to keep the ball and be efficient with it.

The gloss that we might find from this game would certainly be the debut of U16 winger, Charlie Delaney, and the valuable game time that was afforded to a number of individuals who had been integral to our group effort to this point in the season, however had not enjoyed the minutes on the field that they may have wished.

It has certainly created selection problems for us, problems we wish to have.

The focus of this game was to improve our structure, which was achieved, however this appeared to come at the expense of the -‘nuts and bolts’ of rugby union, which is the retention of the ball (through phase play) and a hunger to win the ball back.

This was the poor -‘attitude’ which must be improved upon as we move into finals.

There is one last game, next Saturday against Melbourne Grammar, which will present us all with an opportunity to improve, which we have all concluded we must do from our performance against Xavier.

We congratulate Charlie again, who also crossed for a try on his starting debut, also to our Captain, Ethan Jessop, whose form this season has been outstanding.

Thank you to all who assisted with our home -‘hosting’ this weekend.

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