Newington College V The Scots College Round 1
Scots who were expected to have a comfortable win, had an upset loss last week against a formidable Kings side. Newington who played Riverview last week, was expected to be a close match, however a second half display of skill and execution meant that Newington was able to seal the deal with a rather vast score line at the end of the game. Turn the clock back one year ago, to that day which has now been etched into schoolboy’s memories forever, to the day of the 101-0 thrashing. The defending champions going up against the ex-champions.
How would Round 1 pan out for these two rugby heavyweights?
First Half
It was an average start from Newington, a side that was put under a lot of pressure in the first 10 minutes of the half. Scots had a lot of possession of the ball, with numerous attempts at Newington’s line, however a strong defence ensured any efforts were scorned. A break from Scots 9 Theo Strang, then an offload to 7 Charlie Smith was the only real close effort, but this was stopped by Newington’s 12 Cameron Murray. Minutes later however a long ball from Strang to 10 Dan England, ensured that he was able to show and go and open up Newington’s defence to crash over the line and open the scoring for the match. England also converted the try, the score now 7-0.
Play continued with a lot of action taking place around halfway, with a few breaks from Newington being fronted by 10 Bailey Kuenzle, a player who when he last time played at Scots, went off in the first 5 minutes and was forced to watch the devastation from the sideline. It was clear that Kuenzle had stepped up his game since last season, providing effective ball to forwards and backs, often finding holes for them to crash through. Minutes after Scots first try, Newington responded in brilliant fashion. Scots had been stuck inside their own 22m for quite some time, and when a penalty was given, the backs wanted to inflict some damage. It went Kuenzle to Murray and then a perfectly timed crashed ball to 13 Simon Kennewell made sure he went straight through the Scots defence. Kuenzle converted it from in front, and the score was now 7 a piece.
Scots received the ball back off the kick off, and a lineout on Newington’s 10m almost had 2 Dylan Woods scoring, beating 3 defenders, but being held up over the line. A scrum and a few phases later led to a pick and drive from a sizeable 12 James Hawkins to crash over the line. With the conversion being successful, the score was now 14-7.
An impressive Scots defence meant that many attempts from Newington were not very useful, with Newington not being able to advance very far at all. However a break came when a penalty was granted, and touch was found off the boot of Kuenzle. Moments later a successful lineout and maul gave Newington the precious meters that they needed. Newington went wide and the ball ended up in 15 Sepesa Loga-Tarogi’s hands, bumping off Scots Winger to score in the far corner. The conversion was missed, the score now 14-12.
Scots were now attacking Newington’s line once again, however a very impressive defence from Newington, meant that they weren’t really getting anywhere. A drop ball from Scots led to 9 Matt Long picking it up, and offloading it to Murray, who ran 50m down the field, this being the only real major break for the next 10 minutes. Scots style of play was predictable, if they weren’t going out wide, then they were playing a lot of short inside balls, and so Newington was able to defend quite well. A crash ball from Kuenzle in the dying minutes of the half to Newington’s 2 Teu Atiola, meant that Newington went into the break with a 3 point lead, the conversion being unsuccessful. It was 14-17 at half time.
Second Half
Minutes into the second half, Loga-Tarogi went over to score in the corner, however the conversion was missed and so the score sat at 14-22. Newington had all of the momentum, dictating the pace of the game, which eventually led to Scots being on the back foot for the majority of the rest of the game.
For the next 5 minutes play was in Scots half, however things changed when Scots 13 Angus Chadwick put on the pace to run down into Newington’s half, and then a chip from 11 Jake Prindiville, meant that it was a foot race between Murray and Strang. Both missed the ball, and 11 Tyrone Taukamo later scooped it up.
Scots had about 3 or 4 attempts of possibly scoring, yet they couldn’t capitalise on it and frankly that was mainly common throughout the course of the game. Moments after this, a try saving tackle from Kennewell on 14 Jarrod Cullen meant that Newington were able to exit out of their 22m.
Again Scots found themselves inside Newington’s 22m for the next 10 minutes, and again they weren’t able to capitalise. Strong runs from England and Woods weren’t enough for a tough Newington defence. With 5 minutes to go, after numerous phases of picking and driving, Newington were now in striking distance, and with a furious palm from Taukamo on 1 Harry Todd, then an offload to the recently subbed on Hamish Duvall playing on the wing, gave the year 11 a typical wingers try in the right corner. The conversion was missed and the score was now 14-27.
Minute’s later, full time was called. What a difference a year makes.
Final Score: New 27 - Scots 14
Players
Newington
12 Cameron Murray played brilliantly, running hard and making numerous try saving tackles. It would be remiss of me to not include 13 Simon Kennewell too, the pair of them working in tandem together. A real sense of control and guidance can be seen in both of them when they take to the field, both key players for this Newington side.
10 Bailey Kuenzle showed nice skill, and some flawless passing. 15 Sepesa Loga-Tarogi will not forget his two try performance on Saturday either.
A stellar performance from Newington’s forwards too, 4 Charlie Mannix and 5 Tom Piroddi both playing some good rugby, both smart players, effective runners, and quick to the break down, surely a combination that will be a paramount during the next games to come. 1 Jacob Storey displayed some fine scrummaging, also a dominant force at the break down, lethal with the pick and drives, similarly 8 Nate Lawson played very well, proving to have good skill and effective ball carries throughout the game, a promising player for the future to come.
Scots
With GPS selection nearing closer, this probably wasn’t the start that Scots players wanted. What didn't help was 8 Max Girdler heading off early due to a leg injury of some sort, however he played well for the amount of time that he was on the field. 10 Dan England was very impressive with the ball, providing clean ball to the outside backs.
The best of the forwards was 2 Dylan Woods, who ran hard all game despite the situation that Scots was presented with. 7 Charlie Smith did the same, but again, these efforts weren’t enough.
Scoring
Newington 27 (S Loga-Tarogi 2, S Kennewell, T Atiola, H Duvall tries; Kuenzle 1 conversion) def. Scots 14 (D England, J Hawkins, D England tries; D England 2 conversion)
Please guys I'm still new to this, any thoughts or ideas would be much appreciated.
As always many thanks,
Nectar