And so ends another season.
A great game at OakHill to finish the ISA opens Div 1 comp.
From the outset, it was looking like a high scoring game. The problem for Pats was that the high scoring was being done by OakHill. Pats were shell-shocked as OakHill rampaged to a 20 point lead, towards the end of the first half. Pats supporters were looking to the exits, a chance to get out of the car-park before the rush.
Pats held on bravely. Their discipline under-fire has been exceptional this season. Their first try to a charge-down, appeared to be an anomaly as the OakHill backs ran riot. Not only did OakHill create the extra man with crisp passing, they also backed up exquisitely. Pats cover defence was one-dimensional, and invariably, the inside ball would find a quick man and it was try time. Pats defence was present and effective, but they just couldn't match the speed and efficiency that OakHill generated out wide. Even the normally tight forward defence was busted open with a great individual try to Oaks #7.
But Pats just wouldn't die. While OakHill provided the glamour rugby, Pats produced the ugliest tries of the season. The Pats wombat squad burrowed across the line to salvage a reasonable score at oranges. I think it might have been 26-15(not sure). Pats kicker was not as sharp as last week, whilst OakHills conversions were close to 100%. Pats supporters decided to stick it out - this was a score that could be built on.
Pats scored first after half-time and we had a game. For the first time in the match, OakHill brows were beginning to furrow. Oaks coach was screaming down the walkie-talkie, and for a moment, Oaks looked dishevelled and angry behind the posts.
This glimmer of hope lasted for about a quarter of the match. OakHill still looked dominant with the ball, but Pats wouldn't lie down. Oaks scored again to put the gap out to more than 7. Pats stayed with the task and worked tirelessly through the second half, to try to rescue the game. In the end, it was OakHill's quality running rugby that ran in more tries to close out the game. Not sure of the try count - don't know if 44-24-was the correct score.
OakHill gave Pats a master class in precision, creative rugby. They played too wide for Pats concentrated defence line. And they were too quick for Pats cover defence. Pats created their opportunities by solid forward play and a number of individual line-breaks or attacking kicks. On the whole, Pats tended to run sideways, looking for opportunities against an OakHill defence that remained reasonably straight.
Full credit to the Pats team; they took it right to Oaks, for the whole game; with a couple of key playmakers out, before the game, the team put on a stirling performance.
But the trophy, deservedly, goes to OakHill. Undefeated premiers of the ISA for 2014. Congratulations.
