Rugby results – July 21, 2018

St Patrick’s College 1^st XV vs. St Kevin’s College (A) (21/07)

Full time: 26 -“ 12 (HT 5-7)

Try scorer/s: Mitch Findlay, Chris Tuitea

Conversion/s: Pou Siola’a (1/2)

5 -“ Josh Cooper 4 -“ Josh Wilson-Stanton 3 -“ Chris Tuitea 2 -“ Regan Champley 1 -“ Ryan Yeomans

Ultimately, St Kevin’s College played to their potential for longer periods of the game than we were able to play to ours. This report could be littered with appropriate clichés, however the fact remains that our opposition found a way to defeat us. This was a very different contest to the one earlier in the season -“ and in stark contrast to years gone by. Gone are the days that the score blows out to reflect a gulf in quality between the two sides -“ this was a contest between two evenly matched sides -“ and even the final score somewhat flatters St Kevin’s, as their coaches acknowledged at the end of the game. The irony of this game is that in a first half where we had to defend resolutely for large periods we found a way to lead going into the break, after a well worked score for hooker, Mitch Findlay, saw us capitalise on our numerical advantage after our opponent’s halfback was yellow carded for a high tackle. There were other opportunities to score points in the first half, ultimately as there was for the entire game, which were not taken, but we must not take away from the whole team defensive effort that laid the platform, in the first half, to our advantage going into the break.

The second half was very different to the firSt We were able to retain possession for multiple phases and looked increasingly dangerous as we did. Opportunities again were missed and would prove costly as the game moved into the final third. Loose individual errors gifted our opponents two, length of the field, converted tries and whilst we may bemoan they came against the run of play it highlighted our pregame message of the need to play for the full game, to our very beSt In the end, we were unable to do so and individuals were unable to sustain their best.

There is no such thing as a -‘weak’ St Kevin’s College side and whilst they may lack the -‘flair’ of previous sides, they do not lack skill, determination and a motivation to maintain a tradition of excellence. Yesterday, St Kevin’s laid down a challenge to us. They were well prepared, well organised and executed when they were presented with opportunities. I am excited to face the challenge head on and find a way to defeat this side. I am encouraged by what I saw from our players and where we can improve. This game was a tight contest for its entirety and, on another day, could have resulted in a victory to us. We all hope that we will have the opportunity to play our fellow EREA brethren again in a Grand Final showdown, however we must first earn the right to do so. Marcellin College, our perennial adversaries, stand in our way, with the likelihood of two back to back home fixtures against them, which is what stands in our way if we are to compete in this year’s GF.

St Patrick’s College U15s vs. Marcellin College U15s (H) (21/07)

Full time: 31-10 (HT 12-10)

Try scorer/s: Owen Pearse 3, Escher Eastcott, Lachlan Van Der Linder

Conversion/s: Owen Pearse (3/5)

It was the first game back from the mid-year break, and the team could not have been more excited to play. We started loud and proud with a team chant as we raced onto the field, setting the tone for an impressively effective and efficient half from everyone. Exceptional continuity and high intensity all throughout led to us attaining the lead over a tiring Marcellin College, ending the half 12-10.

Picking up where we left off, the boys were determined to reassert their dominance they displayed in the first half, continuing the relentless pressure and strong defense shown so prominently well in the 30 minutes prior. In the end, fatigue and lack of sustained offense got the better of Marcellin, with the SPC boys coming away with an impressive, 31-10 win. I would like to thank the whole team for the effort they put in, and the commitment I saw out on the field today was nothing short of outstanding.

St Patrick’s College U14s vs. Haileybury U14s (H) (21/07)

Full time: 12-53 (HT 7-27)

Try scorer/s: Byron Griffins, Jayden Tonks

Conversion/s: Adam Griffith (1/1)

For our first game back after the long holiday, I thought that the boys really did play well. The first try of the game was within the first 5 minutes of the game with Haileybury taking a quick tap and scoring right under the poles. Thereafter the SPC boys really showed heart and defended on their line for quite some time. The visiting side scored two more tries before St.Patrick’s got our first score of the day. Bryon made a magnificent run and scored a well-deserved individual try. After that, Haileybury answered by scoring two more tries, which left the score at half time 27-7 to our opponents.

At the start of the second half, we performed extremely well with the bench making a massive influence on the game. I would like to make special mention of Gabe Kalouche for really stepping up and as an U13 really pulled through for us in defence. Although that was not enough, Haileybury scored three tries, before Jayden Tonks went over for his well-worked individual try late in the second half. Unfortunately, the Haileybury attack was relentless and left the final score, 53-12.