Hi All
Firstly, Great game of Rugby played between Scots and Newington. Both teams played with spirit and committment and the result could have gone either way although imo Newington were the better team throughout the whole game.
Before I get to the game, I would like to thank the Scots parents and especially the Scots Old Boys on the Balcony form their hospitality. Being told at the BBQ " good luck, you'll need it " and the booing and shouting at the end from the majority of OB's on the Balcony before the last New conversion, makes me even happier to leave BH with a win ( and even sweeter when it's by 1 point at the death ). So, again, Thank you. It was a memorable win for the great unwashed and a very loud and proud car trip home to our single story fibro shack.
I have to start by eating my words. The coach pulled off a master stroke by having J.McGregor at 15 and D.Wright at 10. McGregor was man of the match at 15. His rugby smarts came through esp in the 2nd half. His Decision making against the wind ( kicks to the corners and taking on the line when he had to) was spot on. His Try in the cnr was exceptional. So well done to the caoches.
New Front row. Didn't stop all day. No subs and out on their feet. Big T.Jorgensen trucked it up all day. kept the d close to ruck tight and finished by playing a little bit of halfback near the end. Has really worked on his fitness and well deserved GPS selection. No.3 T.Maclean was unsighted all game. That's because he was in the bottom of everything. Played hard and made his tackles. Lipina Ata GPS 1STS No2. Great game and equal man of the match. Scored a great meat pie in the first half after a patient build up and trucked it up nice and straight. His line out throws have improved and held up the scrum well. Front row 8/10. Has improved and will need to match the Joeys front row in RD2.
New 4,5 played well. J.Veiru trucked it up and made his tackles. L.Bertrams oneof the most improved players. Line outs were good considering Scots tall timber. The last 4min he won the line outs when the game was on the line so well done. Keep up the hard work.
Back row. No6 J.Viliamu GPS 1STS No.6, equal mom. Strong runs, bled for the team and linked well with the backs. No7. M.Hyslop again another unsighted player who did his job and did it well. No8 J.Vaálotu. Trucked it up and made his tackles. Keep working.
No.9 B.Dickens. directed play well, took the right options, didn't overplay his hand and kept the talk up till the end. passes were mainly accurate and unlucky not to be 1,2 GPS team. First game back No.10 D. Wright combined with Dickens and outside backs well. Kicked well, tackled well and let the outside backs do their jobs. unselfish and played smart.
No.12 E.Barton, ran strong and tackled well. WOULD have been a good contest against Cummins. No.13 J McLean played with freedom and was given too much room to move. Was not tested by the Scots backs much, but did enough to shut them down. Plyed well.
11 W.Quinn solid and made his tackles. Took the right options and linked well with 13,14,15. No14. S.Taukamo. Great game. Goal Kicked well under presuure, ran well, tackled and did not over play his hand. If he can grubber kick down the sidelines/corners ala 15 instead of risky chip kicks, he'd be better off. Overall, unlucky to not make GPS 1's.
15 J.McGregor. Schooled Scots much heralded 15 on how to play a smart, tactical game. Ran, kicked and tackled great. Well done.
Overall, New's game plan was well though out and pretty well executed. Used the wind well in the first half to take the points. Played patient footy. Forwards did the job in the middle and backs used their flair. Set pieces had improved and did enough in the scrum against a bigger opponent and line outs to win enough ball. Break downs were pretty even. 2nd half was owned by New's 15 who played it down Scots corner. 27-21 with 4 mins to go. Game on the line. This New team did not panic. Kicked off deep. Closed Scots down in their East corner, won the line outs that mattered and used the battering rams to punch up steadily and patiently until Scots cracked and went in on side of the posts. Pressure kick to win and ball sailed over the black dot towards the Scots Old Boys. The bagpipes were silenced !!!
Thought Scots could have thrown the ball more and used 11,14 and 15. Did not take on the line until the end. Forwards played ok. 4 was very good. 6 was dirty but everywhere. They had a few passengers in the forwards ( won't single anyone out ) but didn't use their beef enough up the middle.
Great win. Good start. Enjoy the holidays. play the rep games. Come out healthy and get ready for Rd2 at HH.
New will gain a lot of confidence out of the win but can improve in some areas but overall, hats off to the coaches and players.
New 2nds lost. 2 tries all but they were not beaten by talent. they beat themselves by not playing smart with the wind. This team can play better.
New 16A's had a very good win and went away with it in the 2nd half. New 10 and 15 are outstanding. Few big boppers in the forward helps.
Enjoy the holidays and see you in 3 weeks
Wyvernboy
