So, it was an interesting day at the SWAMP.
Pies: The pie at the Canteen was good. Probably up there with the best I have had this season. I will admit I was skeptical. The mums smiles were good too.
The Class: Grammer 1stXV forming a tunnel for Joeys 2ndXV. That was class after being touched up by View.
The Games:
The 2nXV
This was a great Game. Joeys 2ndXV were the more adventurous, but View hung on like tigers. Having Foggerty starting to kick them out of trouble saved Joeys who could have easily lost this game. The backline in the 2ndXV for Joeys was kept quiet and did not look as fluid. The forwards provided the platform and in the end they got the win with a late late try to Break view's hearts. There is work for this joeys side to do in the future weeks. Joeys, won the game, but view won a lot of respect.
The !stXV
This game was a comedy of error. It was frankly terrible. Riverview may have won, but, honestly Joeys lost it as much as view won it.
There will be some comment about the officiating which was not great, but I would say equally bad for both sides. By that as an example, View clearly collapsed a maul from Joeys at The back on the joeys side by tackling and got away with it. Joeys cleared the ball lost it and view scored. Equally, View got pinged for taking the player in the air at least one of which seemed a fair contest, the second, the joeys back was well above the view back in the air and was taken out, but for me, both were just trying to catch the ball.
The amount of lost and loose ball from both sides was ordinary. It would not have made Kings, nor Newington shake in their boots. View won the game not because they were dominant, but because they dropped less ball, forced fewer passes. For Joeys, forced passes cost the the game. 2 ties to the view 14 resulted (he played very well and was my pick for best on ground). The hail Mary passes continuously gave view back possession. It was horrible to watch.
In the forwards, the much talked about View scrum was accounted for by Joeys, with Joeys gaining a tight head. In fact, Joeys forward pack contained views very very well. For the joeys forwards, this game was a "I hate backs" sort of a game. Joeys forwards made ground and scored their tries. I will not say joeys were dominant, but nor were view.
For Joeys the season is done. Fact is the forwards are workmanlike and not dominant and the passing game of formative years to breakdown defences is not there. Its just truck the 8 up and he is alone. The backs are worse. Gough will be a surprise pick for GPS as the acceleration is not there and again its crabing sideways running which both centers are guilt of makes defending against them easy. View did not look threatening ether. The Joeys 10, needs needs to understand game management which Grover from view did well.
So What have I seen at the close of round one:
1. The kings pack was easily the most dominant I saw. They were brutal.
2. Newington backline likewise. However, their Defence not so good.
3. Riverview did not offer much yesterday. How they beat Kings I dont know but, If they play like they did yesterday it will be a hard day.
4. Shore probably has the second best backline, but the forwards are weakest.
5. Joeys has no forward thrust. They can hold, but they do not dominate.
6. Joeys backline would be the least inventive. They play power, but the power is easily counted by the lines they run. There are individuals that are dangerous. I would move minto back to 15 move max to the wing and dump a centre for a ball player. I would also bring back bede Foggarty. He understands game management.
For me, Its Kings to Lose. If New fix their D, then they will challenge, but Others have alot of work to do. Maybe view had an offday yesterday,
Beef Out.
