Rather than watch NC team made up of 2 nds and 3 rds play Downlands i went to watch a mates 2 sons play for BBC v TSS on weekend and i came away surprised and somewhat impressed with what i saw.
1) NC, ACGS and GT were all playing at BBC in the early games. i asked what was going on and was told BBC had a lot more teams than TSS in the 11 to 13 year age group and these were supplementary games;this surprised me;
2) the BBC 1st xv seemed to be running the water for under 12 & under 13 . have not seen this since the 1990s at NC;
3) i took a look at the 14 A team for BBC to see what all the fuss was about.They put over 50 points on TSS and as far as i could tell the backline were bigger and faster than the 15A match. 10, 14 and especially 15 for BBC will be in 1st xv in 2 years IMO;
4) then i watched my mates son in 16 As. TSS are well known for the strength of their 16 and open programs - as they only really recruit from under 15 onwards. but i tell you it will take a good team to beat that BBC 16 A team as they physically bashed a good TSS team off the pitch and won by 20.
5) Miskin oval seems to be the last of the school grounds that is not based on a full size cricket oval so both supporters are really close to the action. Big crowd in attendance. That bagpipe entrance is something special as i had not been here in over 5 years.
2 point win by TSS is a good reflection of the match. TSS were better at lineout and over the ball.BBC really missed their Qld 2 hooker . At 10 -8 the match was there for BBC but crucial mistakes in lineout cost them . 13 for TSS was BOF . he is big and fast and i can see why he is in Aussie under 18 sevens team.
What suprised me most was that after BBC missed penalty on full time the BBC crowd did not disperse but surrounded the team and gave them a war cry - much like NC when they lost to ACGS last year . Things are changing out Toowong way.
As my old mate - who coached NC to numerous premierships in the 90s said to me- " to win a 1st xv premiership you need a good team with a good coaching program AND either luck with injuries or a 2nd xv capable of winning the premiership but preferably both"
last year acgs had the former .TSS and NC always have the latter. this year BBC have neither - but there number 1 team , if it gets on the field can beat any team .