Weekend Match Report: STUDENTS BEAT POLICE IN HISTORIC WEEKEND FOR UNIVERSITY Freshers 19 - Police 5 The scoreline says everything! In a result that will surely bring a smile to those encamped on the streets, the freshmen got their first W of the new season. Plenty more expected from this enthusiastic bunch of scholarly players! MOTM: The Protesters University 31 - Gai Wu 10 The University Lads backed up after last weeks demolition of the Pirates to face a determined Gai Wu. Having started the season under the pump, the Japs came out fired up and were happily throwing themselves into the fight (and knees!) from the opening kick-off. After a disjointed match prep and a few late pull-outs, Uni quickly adapted to the new positions (and players as Fangy made a long awaited return to the park- welcome back big guy!) and were switched on for the outset with Jnr pulling the string and finding/taking/making holes left right and center. Sadly, injury curtailed his day with Gareth Joe having a run out in the unfamiliar position of 10; you wouldnt have noticed, as the back line constantly was put on the front foot by his good service and quick pace. As the match wore on the combination between Dusty and G was causing major headaches for the Kamakazie boys, while Bmac and Laurie enjoyed the ball in hand smash for the duration. As the match wore on the difference between the two teams showed and Uni started pulling away with it. Barny just pipped A-Ho for moment of the match, when he picked up a loose ball, dummied 2 players while spinning out of a tackle, beating 2 more men with the step before chip-kicking the fullback to score his first try for the club since joining! Not to be totally outdone Anders Ho dived over before going full Elvis with his celebrations(after not attending the post-match drink the question must be asked- What the the only time Anders scored on Saturday?). MOTM: There were a number of solid performers in the game, with Bassie bringing the smash all match, Dusty being a constant headache in attack, Bmac trucking the ball up the park time and again, Kallum playing a non-traditional game by a prop (ie, playing the full 80 while actually running the ENTIRE time!), Bleesdale also playing effectively for the full 80 in his first match of the season, Jnr having a great early cameo at 10 while Gareth continued the trend for the rest of the match while playing out of position. However the man of the match had to be Barny. First run out this year, good in the line out, around the park, with the chat and scored a try to boot- not much more you can say really! Wizards 25 - Scottish 17 In the biggest game of the young season, the Lad-zillas from the Wizards took on the new boys in our league HK Scottish. With Scottish having dropped down a division (or two?) and already having notched a couple of good victories it was clear this match was going to be a good test of the progress being made by the boys in black. Having started the season beating our nemesis (Bulls) and last years Champs (DEA), the wizards were fielding a slightly depleted team, but were to a man no less determined to maintain the seasons standards thus far. From the kick-off it was clear that the wizards were intend on making a lasting introduction as 1-15 came out on fire! With Gareth Joe backing up his impressive first stint at 10 with another invitation to play the role for the Wiz the ball was zipping side to side and moving nicely down the field. Immediately the dominance of our Pack showed as consecutive tight-heads had the Scots staring at a tough day in the office. With Big Stu leading by example, barging forward with ball in hand, and DJ, Shawn and Alex following suit it was all Wizards during the opening exchanges. Having missed a try with a loose grounding, it wasnt long before Frankie took his second chance, dotting down out wide. The early loss of front-row linchpin Midas meant a very early introduction for Kallum, yet still our dominance never waned and after a period of sustained pressure, eventually Alex grounded in the shadows of the posts. University were playing some outstanding rugby,, numerous times getting through 10+ phases on attack, and it was everything Scottish could do to even stay on the park with us, such was the speed of thought and deed and the venom of our actions. After more pressure was applied, QWatson swatted away a couple of defenders before dotting down right between the sticks. With less than 20 mins gone and the score stretched out to 22-0, it seemed there might be a score to run up in this match. But as the exerts of our initial onslaughts began to take a hold on weary legs, a momentary drop in standards, some soft marking and even softer tackling allowed Scottish to hit back. Suddenly momentum was swinging and with the introduction of a few key (see; Premiership) players Scottish had their tails up. After maintaining possession and keeping us pinned in our end, it wasnt long before ill discipline cost us a player, Gareth being the unfortunate recipient for repeated team stupidity. Not long after, the Scots crashed over and it was officially game on. With a man down, the wind at their backs and an upset in the air the Scots were having the run of the game as tired legs and poor defensive structure meant we were hanging on by a thread and it wasnt long until Scottish ran in their third try on the trot- the only difference between the teams now being accuracy with the boot. The return of the carded player, and change in mentality and a resurrection of the Black Wall brought Uni back into the game and after some tense moments and heroic defense Uni was finally able to move the ball into the attacking zone. Once there, solid ball retention eventually brought about penalties and as the second ticked away, Jessop lined up a kick to ice the game and take away a crucial bonus point. The kick sailed through the middle and the good guys won in what was a massive statement game! Everyone had a fantastic match (and a pretty average 20 mins too!). Great stuff Lads! MOTM: There were so many people who easily couldve had this award. Gareth played outstandingly well, out of position. Malcolm was immense in defense all night, coupled with fantastic service, ultimate attitude and towering will to win. DJ was into everything, trucking the ball up again and again and laying bodies out with joy. Stu was once again a massive presence in the scrum, with the ball and on D- what a monster! Alex was great all game getting a meat-pie, as was Quin. Boothy was smashing the ball up all day and Jessop was causing havoc everywhere. Pickle was fantastic at the back, on the counter and in D and he linked up nicely with Franky again and again. Then of course there was MattyP/Coops/Cole doing the job in concert wonderfully at lock. There were so many great performances it could have gone to anyone mentioned, but the most stand out effort was that off Kallum. Having played a full game and 95% of the next match he worked tirelessly, made good impact all around the field and from anyone playing or watching you could see- he simply refused to let the boys down! What a hero, what an Effort!!! Everyone should be very proud; Both senior teams are riding high on the table, sitting at 3-0. But its a long season and we have a hard road to follow to take this thing where we want it to go! Big matches this weekend and another chance to prove where we are as a club. Lets Go Boys! Fire up- Its Saturday at football club!
Posted on: Mon, 20 Oct 2014 12:06:08 +0000