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Half-time: Kingsway 0-7 Ocean Reef
Best on Ground: Matt Johnson
People's Best on Ground: Simon Cook
With the conclusion of the season fast approaching, Kingsway’s performance’s of late had been more ordinary than fantastic and it was vital to get a win, or at least put in a positive performance to boost the spirit of the team. With a host of supporters making their way to the ground (thank you very much for the support guys, we really do appreciate it) and a home ground advantage, Kingsway were hopeful of a more spirited game against Ocean Reef. Despite technically winning the last encounter on a forfeit rule, Kingsway wanted to brush aside last year’s 12-8 disappointment and notch a win against their opponents. Unfortunately, Kingsway had a number of injuries, star goal-kicker Byron Sparg out with a shoulder injury, Ashley Page out injured, Shane de Mello unavailable due to injury and Justin de Mello in doubt. The team also welcomed its newest member with Tim Johnson, brother of Matt, joining the team as a forward. In great weather conditions, the game kicked off more or less to schedule with Kingsway playing towards the clubroom end of the ground. A deep kick-off by fill-in kicker Tim Robertson spelled the beginning of a scratchy first half from both teams, with neither gaining the ascendancy over their opposition. A reshuffled backline was gaining some good ground with Adam Litterick doing some outstanding work at fullback, dodging numerous tackles before being tackled into touch. The forward pack also, was having a good start, relishing the return to a 15 man, contested scrum match format. Some good attacking opportunities from lineouts and scums however saw the ball being knocked on and a number of excellent try scoring opportunities went begging. A blood bin to Wade Sparg saw Tim Johnson come on for his first Rugby game and doing an outstanding job in namely attack. A lapse in concentration by the backline from a 5-metre scrum mid-way through the first half saw the Ocean Reef scrumhalf sneak under the posts to break the nil all deadlock. The number Nine easily converted from in front and it was 7-0 to Ocean Reef. The remainder of the second half saw the backline make amends and some great defence by a number of players prevented another try from being scored. Jason Wakefield was having a great game at scrum-half, making many positive passes from the base of the rucks and mauls, unlike his opposite number who spent the majority of his game either swearing at the referee or at his team for their mistakes. Wade Sparg returned from the blood bin and just before half time, another great attacking opportunity for Kingsway was made through some great running by Brendan Wight and a beautiful chip over the top. A great chase as well almost led to a charge down but the Ocean Reef fullback managed to get his kick away just in time. A fumble at the base of the scrum signalled the end of the first half with Kingsway having played some of their best Rugby of the season, despite being 7-0 down. The second half began with an unfortunate knock-on just after the kickoff but Kingsway soon regrouped. The ball flung the ball wide, out to Simon Cook who managed to pull of some absolute magic, running through 6 or 7 tackles, weaving and dodging his way in a brilliant run, touching the ball under the posts to score undoubtedly the try of the season, his second this year. A successful conversion attempt by Tim Robertson, filling in for the injured Byron meant scores were level at 7-7. However just as Kingsway managed to get back into the game, Ocean Reef responded almost immediately. A scrum shortly after the kickoff was poorly handled by the second row and the ball was flung out of the base of the scrum and into the arms of the scrumhalf who gleefully accepted the ball. Some ordinary defence by the backline saw him over, unopposed and under the sticks for his second try of the game. Another easy conversion meant Kingsway had just undid all the good work and was now trailing 14-7. After the kickoff, Kingsway managed to get on the attack again, moving their way within a few metres of the Ocean Reef goal line. Some great driving by debutant Tim Johnson almost saw him score a try on debut, taken down only centimetres short. Two penalties in front of the goalposts saw team opinion going against taking a shot at goal, something may come back to haunt the team after the game. Both times Kingsway were unable to find the goal line, even after some great pick up and drives by Number 8 Ross Litterick. First a knock on by Tim Robertson and then a lost ball by the backs, allowing Ocean Reef to relieve the pressure. At a scrum later on in the half with a Ocean Reef feed, the defence unfortunately once again failed with some atrocious defending by Tim Robertson allowing a try to be scored in the left hand corner. The impossible conversion attempt was missed and Kingsway needed two converted tries to win the game. However, the Crusaders could only manage one after sustained pressure by the Kingsway team and some good work by the forwards, under the new guidance of John Thomson, saw Justin de Mello over for his second try in as many game, just left of the sticks. A delayed, but successful conversion attempt by Tim Robertson took the scores to 19-14. And that’s how it stayed until full-time, Kingsway were probably lucky not to concede any more points with the final whistle sounding as Ocean Reef gained a 5m scrum. Well done to the Ocean Reef team, winners of a very close encounter, a bit more sportsmanship on their behalf would have been nice but congratulations anyway. The game finished with Kingsway playing undoubtedly their best performance of the year, despite going down. To single out great performers today would be impossible, it was a great all round performance by each and every player in their own individual way, probably in most cases, the best they have played the whole year. However it is necessary to say a big well done to Tim Johnson, who for a first timer to the game, played exceptionally well and his try saving tackle was a revelation to your commitment the entire game. Well done Tim. Kingsway now have a week off before playing their final game of the season at home against Lake Joondalup Baptist College.