Joeys had an excellent hit out against a willing Marist Canberra team. First 25 mins was all Joeys who showed terrific ball control and disciplined defence for a team having their first hit out to skip out to a 24-0 lead. After Eamon Doyle went off with what seemed to be a very bad knee injury, things stuttered a bit and Marist, playing their fourth trial game, scored two tries just before half time to make it 24-12.
Joeys regained control in the second half and skipped out to a big lead again with some great counter attack before the Marist No. 12 scored a sensational 60m solo try. Lots of subs made by Joeys in the last 20mins as the game lost its fluency and the score finished 48-17.
The Joeys front row was excellent, with loose head Gordon Durie arguably the pick of the forwards. Justice Tomoepeau did not look out of place at the back of the scrum, and Ethan Hart also excelled in his first 1st XV outing in the back row.
I’m the backs, Patrick Broe at fullback was the pick, with centres Oscar Jorgensen and Ben Whyte having some good moments in attack and defence.