It was really a disappointing result for St Pats who really played out their potential yesterday. In regards to the opportunities for penalty goals, goal kicking is a major issue for St Pats if they had a higher success rate kicking they would have beat Marist ACT in the Waratah Shield, drawn with Oakhill, beat Waverely and beat Kinross. St Pats prefer to run the ball and on that occasion a worn out St Pats forward pack were unable to exercise the same composure at the scrum, resulting in sloppy ball at the back.
It was a great game of rugby to watch irrespective of the result. The St Pats forwards were a cut above yesterday showing dominance through pick and drive, ruck defense and the set piece. The Kinross backs showed a great deal of speed and skill, which eventually got them over the line. It was great to see two teams really put it all on the line to bring home a victory.
In regards to the "try". It was not an issue of the referees 'incompetence' or 'lack of experience and knowledge' etc. The referee handled the game very well throughout and applied the laws of the game in a manner that was fair and allowed both teams to be th benefactors of their different areas of dominance. The try was given although there was a knock on. Simply put the ref missed it, the assistant didn't, miscommunication, Kinross win and will likely finish 2nd and St Pats lose and remain dead last in the ISA, which there performance yesterday is by no means indicative of there current standing. I feel it unneccessary to have all this blame and talk around the referee. A mistake was made, and thats what happens in rugby, you have to expect the unexpected. As mentioned I to commend the St Pats players for there reaction to the events. It was evidently frustrating for the boys, but they copped it and I hope they continue to turn in similar performances and hopefully can bring home a few victories next term, and with any luck give Auggies a good run. In my opinion Kinross will finish 2nd behind Augustine's. I have a strong feeling Kinross can beat Oakhill up in Orange.
The St Pats front row and entire forward pack ought to be commented for their work. The front row for St Pats have week in week out laid a solid platform and this has been duly recognized by Matt Edwards and Pj Agliozzos selection in the ISA squad, in the positions of hooker and thp. Yesterday saw Tim Skinner return from an injury suffered in a Waratah Shield match. He came off the bench and was listed as 16th man, with St Pats effectively using their 12 subs available to them. Throughout the game both Skinner and Agliozzo played at tighthead and worked well with Edwards to secure the turnovers. Taylor and Skinner both share the loose head side throughout the match and ably assisted in the impressive effort. The #17 who has been inquired about was Tony Abraham, who has been a late inclusion at no8 for ISA 2s. From what I understand he played in the 2nds for a reason unknown to me. He was a cut above 2nd grade as one would expect of an ISA rep player. Surely after his performance in the 2nds and his success off the bench he will be back as a regular fixture for St Pats 1sts. In the absence of Josh Taweel due to injury, Matt Vale has stepped up as captain at blindside flanker. Vale has been in superb form for the past couple of matches and I feel that his efforts deserve recognition. Against Stannies in what was an ugly game for St Pats, Vale was everywhere making key tackles and always been effective with ball in hand. Hopefully the St Pats forwards bolstered with the return of Skinner and Taweel can continue to be a force in the ISA and claim a victory for against both Greg's and Pius.
Any match reports from today's rep fixtures??