Match Report Muscat RFC v HMS Bulwark It would have been easy to write off this friendly as another soft navy game but HMS Bulwark have a history of leaving Muscat with a win. Last year’s encounter saw them comfortable winners at the ABA school pitch. Muscat entered the game without the suspended Jaime Houston, and with several other players away due to the long weekend. The game was to be decided by tries only, as posts were not available at Oman Club. The first half saw the home team dominate possession. The now typical play of the forwards driving the ball over the game line was paying dividends. Jan van Wyk, playing at first centre capitalised on space created by several rucks on one side of the pitch to slide in the opposite corner for his first try for the club. Bulwark were not about to capitulate so early. Their talented scrum half side stepped an oncoming tackle and off loaded to the supporting second centre for the navy to draw level. Muscat continued to dominate possession but their defence at times lacked structure. Wade Killian’s hard running paid off when he broke through the navy backline to cross the line for Muscat’s second try. Almost immediately however, the Muscat defence was breached again. Bulwark were employing the kick and chase well. A clever kick behind the ruck created confusion. The ball was eventually turned over and Bulwark were level again. The home side reverted to what they knew best and an accurate kick from fly half Alex Maxton, allowed the forwards to rumble over with a maul. After the bodies were lifted, Zak Harper was the one given credit for the try. This left the score at half time at 15-10. The second half saw much of the same as the first. Muscat were retaining possession with Bulwark attempting to catch the opposition on the break. A large portion of the game was played in the middle of the park, with Muscat using runners off the ruck to continue the phases. The game changed instantly with a fantastic individual try from Bulwark’s winger. The ball was turned over by the Navy’s centres ,this was followed by a quick pass to the winger who was standing on his own twenty two meter line. From a standing position, he outpaced four Muscat players. Things got even worse a few minutes later when a ball kicked through from their back line was touched down to give the visitors the lead at 15-20. Muscat needed to find a new gear and were determined to get back into the game. Powerful running from new player Riaan Steencamp pushed the Muscat team up the pitch. A penalty conceded for wrong entry to a ruck allowed Alex Maxton to kick to the corner. There was little doubt at what play would happen next. The ball was secured in the air by Matt York. The resulting maul was almost identical to the first half, with Zak Harper grounding the ball again. The Muscat recovery continued, hoping to find the winning try. With time running out and pressure mounting on the Navy’s defence, something had to give. A half break from Ronan Glennon meant that Muscat crossed the game line, with seven meters to go, the Offaly man offloaded to Wade Killian who was in support. Little could stop the South African at full pace so close to the line. With this try and the lead for Muscat, the referee blew the final whistle. The game ended 25-20. The game would have given a lot for Muscat to think about before the travel to Bahrain on the 7th of November.
Posted on: Tue, 28 Oct 2014 04:04:02 +0000
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