The Chairman’s Match Preview:
Now or Never: St Ignatius @ Shore
The famed Dickens novel has it the best in the end. “A Tale of Two Cities” (not that this was ever studied in any 3-unit English class)
Image: Shore First XV training ground post-Newington Image: Riverview First XV training ground post-TSC
For the reigning Major Rennie Champions (not Shore unusually) I do not think there has been a better start to the season. Two good wins with an unfortunate loss to the best team in the competition. Small, nifty forwards with sharp backs play has outclassed the opposition so far. Few stars this year have shined so bright as standout Loosehead Prop
George Tancred and famed Scrumhalf
Angus Grover.
It must be something with the Jesuit angle.
The Blue and White Battalion of North Sydney has started the season bruised. Early reality checks of Waverley and Cranbrook sent the maniacal coach
Angus Sinclair into a large fit of unprepared broncos, and cracked the whip to get them into shape leading to decent results against Barker and Knox, giving some light at the end of A Ground’s tunnel.
Well can we say that light was quickly turned off by a Catholic storm from the
Pope Leo XIV sponsored Joeboys, followed by a welcome return of 3-point heartbreak by the Highlanders following Nudge Pin’s antics of 2022, and the beating that gave Shore their photo with the Challenge Trophy in front of that relic that represented TSC’s team last year (Unpolished, took way too long to get going and left everyone going, how much money did they spend on this for it to go sideways?), and then the revenge of the Wyvern coming from the skies above to give its magical powers to
Callum Grantham’s Newington College.
But far are the days of 2024, and this is a new reality.
A reality of 0 wins in 2025 against anyone for the Battalion.
Field Marshal Collier, Major General Sinclair, Lieutenant Generals Craig and Wallace are fired up, but the troops under the ground-command of Major
Charlie Francis keep seem to shoot haywire.
Pictured: Major General A. Sinclair in A-Ground Change Rooms, c. 3:10pm 5 June 2025
Now is the time to shoot straight.
It truly is now or never.
Lose, and you can count it out for 2025 for the Shoremen. Win, the lights in the clock tower may just be flicked back on.
Some position match-ups that will be vital (in my humble opinion)
#1: Jarrett v Tancred
The two loosies have been just about the best players in each team this year. Tancred runs good lines, rugby league style. Sharp minded, smart ball carrier, with a whole lot of height on him to get him over the gainline. He is critical in midfield gainline carries with his backrowers. Stop him, you have a good chance at giving backfoot ball to the boots of the swamp monkeys.
Jarrett has been an unexpected gem for Shore. Not the biggest fellow, week in week out he has put down consistent performances for the Battalion. He sure loves to dig in, and gets well physical. Knows how to nick a pie as well. More consistency is just what Shore needs now. He cannot go missing against the inform Loosehead of the competition.
#4: Reich v Sidwell
The two big men line up again. Two fearful ball carriers that don’t nearly get enough recognition in each others structures.
Reich lines up for Ignatius as the big big man within the pack. A constantly sharp lineout operator, and good running skills make him a reliable rock to work off. Not much more to be said, but if he steps up and adds to this sharp Ignatian forward pack, expect lots of dangers.
Sidwell is also a gargantuan of a man, with his old man sitting in the 4 Seat of the First VIII of 1988, there is no lacking of genetics within this family. Shore need meters. No question. Territory has been their kryptonite, as 7 out of the 11 times Newington entered the 22 last week, there was a try. Stay out, better result. With Galligan out, Shore need desperately a ball carrier that can gain chunk meterage with Clout. Sidwell needs to be that man. Shore need him desperately.
#12: Robertson v Hartman
It seems this family legacy thing has a grip within these two schools.
Coming from the famed Ignatian Hartman lineage, Archer (12) has a big role to play in midfield. Newington tore Shore to shreds out wide through the elite work of King and Anitela-Tsloussis in midfield, which they just could not match. Should Hartman step up and be the neccesarry chain to the speedy wingers, expect bulk points for the Jesuits.
Robertson has a lot to prove. Coming in from the Second XV after what I and most thought was a harsh detention for not a lot, Robertson needs to be a rock in midfield defence. Shore’s midfield defence was woeful against Newington, with players like Thomas, Davies and Anitela-Tsloussis barging through the centre, and then getting burnt by the second quickest 18-year-old in Australia (Roberts-Lintmeijer). Shut it down early, limit the outside play. Best of luck young man.
That is all from me. Expect Shoremen running through to the stands, and the free-perioded year 12s enthusiastically cheering them on as they come. Does Grover have another chess match masterclass within him? Can Callaghan moving into the role of Field Marshalling flyhalf make a difference. All shall be revealed.
Fight valiantly and with honour, as studied in Henry IV Part 1.
Don out.
