Seconds provide scare at Schools Champs
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Friday, 11 July 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
It may have been a non-competition match, however NSW II almost provided the upset of the Novotel Australian Schools Championships before going down narrowly to NSW I in Canberra.
NSW Schools Rugby Union
NSW Schools Rugby Union
The Seconds held a three point lead at the break before NSW I fought back in the second half for a seven point victory.
Other day two results saw Queensland II narrowly defeat Combined States while Queensland I were too good for the ACT.
Match report is courtesy of the Australian Rugby Schools Football Union.
Match 4 (non comp) - New South Wales 1 v New South Wales 2
Despite being a non-comp match, both teams were taking it very seriously, as each wanted to show the other who was the dominant New South Wales side.
NSW II had the upper hand in the first minute when they were awarded a penalty, but Jack Howard couldn't get the accuracy. They had another chance to lead in the sixth minute when Callum Fryer made a solid pass to Damon Anderson, who found a small gap, ran through it and made his way over the line, close to the posts. Howard missed the conversion.
The scores were evened in the 15th minute when NSW I's pressure paid off and Michael McDougall jumped over the try line. Greg Jeloudev made a nice conversion, giving NSW I the lead.
NSW I had another chance in the 20th minute, but poor passing and a knock on gave the ball to NSW II.
In the 24th minute a quick tap and go by James Helliwell from a penalty against NSW I was looking promising for their try scoring chances when Helliwell broke through the last line of defence, until NSW I's Jayden Dallalana made a great tackle, after chasing from behind.
The 28th minute saw Jack Howard pick up a loose ball along the defensive line 30 metres out from the posts, and slow defence meant that he was able to kick the ball on and follow through to retrieve it just before the line to score, regaining NSW II's lead. The conversion was unsuccessful.
NSW II threatened again in the final minute of the half after Damon Anderson gained ground and offloaded to Clinton Sills, who made a very accurate chip kick over the last defender while charging down the line, however was unable to get to the ball as it rolled out, half a metre from the try line.
Half Time: NSW I 7 NSW II 10
Michael Oldfield did a fancy spin to avoid a tackle and score for NSW I in the fifth minute of the second half. The conversion was unsuccessful, and possession went back and forth between the teams until the twelfth minute when Damon Anderson broke through four NSW I players and headed for the line, although despite crossing it, a try was not awarded.
A minute later NSW I were penalised for the second time in 20 seconds, giving NSW II the momentum. Eventually the ball was turned over and NSW I was awarded a five metre scrum. This led to a mass of bodies crashing over the line, and after taking a while to check, the referee awarded a try to NSW I's Kotoni Ale in the 19th minute. Alex Pinson's conversion was off the mark.
NSW I were very close to scoring again in the 27th minute, but dropped the ball at the last minute.
With 30 seconds to go in the match NSW I's Luke Jones was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul, after repeatedly coming from the side of the ruck.
NSW II had their last chance after the siren from a line-out, but lost it when they fumbled the ball.
With most of the match looking like it could go either way, and the lead being shared throughout, the depth of talent within NSW was evident.
NSW I 17 (M McDougall, M Oldfield, K Ale tries; G Jeloudev con) d NSW I 10 (D Anderson, J Howard tries).
Match 5 (Pool A) - Queensland II v Combined States
Queensland I 13 (N Tupuse try; N Tupuse 2 pens, con) d Combined States 11 (W Vitale try; D Mitchell 2 pens).
Match 6 (Pool B) - Queensland I v Australian Capital Territory
Queensland I 33 (D Shipperly 2, N. Price, J. Ambrosini, W. Setu tries; E. Bredenhann 4 cons) d ACT 19 (T Stevens try; A Crowe 3 pens, con, drop).