I watched the BSHS v Downlands 2nd and 1st XV game yesterday afternoon.
2nds was exactly how I thought the game would go. BSHS dominated the game and within first 10 minutes it was obvious BSHS were going to win. No surprises there. I thought the BSHS centre who scored 3 tries was outstanding as well as the flanker who was yellow carded at the start of the game, his defense was unrelenting, also liked the hooker too, he had some powerful runs and was rewarded with a try.
However the 1st XV game was not what I, nor anyone else, was expecting.
From the start you could see BSHS had some serious competition and it was not the walk in the park they may have been expecting. Downlands opened the scoreboard with an impressive first try, however BSHS was able to gain possession from a Downlands error at the kick off and they used the opportunity to score a try, although the missed the conversion kept Downlands in the lead 7-5. This was followed by another well earned try and conversion from Downlands but once again BSHS was quick to answer with a try. Downlands continued to lead for most of the first half but just before half time BSHS were able to score to put them in a 3 point lead 17-14 at HT.
The second half BSHS fielded a very different team, with only about a third of the starting 1st XV remaining. The rest of the players were made up of 16A and 2nd Players, who did well considering they had just played a full game beforehand. The game progressed much like the first half, and no.8 who remained on the field from the first half scored his 3rd try before he came off. Downlands were able to walk away with a 31-27 win. I thought both teams played well although Downlands exceeded my expectations and BSHS did not. The BSHS number 8 had a great game.
I thought it was interesting to see Quade Cooper in the stands watching the 2nds and 1sts. He's a churchie old boy, so had me wondering what brought him to the game.
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