|
|
Half-time: Kingsway 5-0 Lake Joondalup
Best on Ground: Justin de Mello
People's Best on Ground: TBA
Kingsway’s last regular game of the CSCC Competition arrived with a win a must should the Crusaders have any hope of making the top 4. Against Lake Joondalup Baptist College, a side unbeaten in 2003 and on a wild and miserable day, Kingsway needed something special to make the finals series. Fortunately, most players were available for selection after the bye with the likes of Shane de Mello, Byron Sparg and Stanley Southwood returning into the side. The game kicked off with the Crusaders playing toward the roadside of the ground at Kingsway Reserve. Immediately, Kingsway managed to apply some pressure to the Joondalup goal line and literally the first 15 minutes of the game was played inside the opposition’s 22. Some good defence by the Lake Joondalup backs kept Kingsway at bay and the constant barrage of tackles left the Kingsway side a bit rattled. An early 3-pointer attempt at goal was turned down as the likes of Ross Litterick, Wade Sparg and Matt Johnson continued to drive to the line. Unfortunately the illustrious 5 pointer never arrived and after about 10 minutes of prolonged attack, Kingsway finally turned the ball over. However the early signs for Kingsway were positive, dominating the undefeated side territorially and possession wise. The first scrum of the game exploited the inexperience of both sides as the referee constantly reset it, unhappy with the front row engagements. After about 5 take-twos, the ball was finally delivered to the Lake Joondalup full-back and he managed to screw a clearing kick away and relieve the pressure. The first lineout of the game saw Stanley Southwood jumping at 2 with Tim Robertson switched to 4. Again the ball was flung wide and even though some good passing from Jason Wakefield and excellent field position kicking from Justin de Mello eventuated, Kingsway were unable to break through the line of black and yellow jerseys. The breakthrough finally came mid-way through the first half, when a good drive by the forwards allowed Justin de Mello to chip a beautiful kick into the corner for Stanley Southwood to outsprint his opposing number and dart the ball down in the far-left in goal. It was a wonderful try, one that involved pure precision and accuracy from the boot and speed and skill out wide. The conversion attempt from out wide was missed from Byron Sparg, returning to his usual role of goal kicker after an injury forced him out of the game against Ocean Reef. After the kickoff, some early presumptions by the forwards put Hamish Thomson under a bit of pressure but a good relieving kick from the boot saved Kingsway from any conceded points. The rest of the first half remained much of a stalemate, even though a quick lineout by Tim Robertson and good running from Stanley Southwood again and Jason Wakefield led to some opportunities out wide. Just before the break, a Lake Joondalup player was severly injured in an attempt to tackle a Kingsway player and was on the ground in obvious agony, possibly with a dislocated shoulder. At half-time, Kingsway were a more confident team and for only the second time this season, had their noses in front. The second half is really where the Crusaders let themselves down. The first 20 minutes were not really dominated by any team in particular, with Kingsway doing quite well in both attack and defence, unable to penetrate the Lake Joondalup goal line but preventing a try being conceded. With the period of tit-for-tat Rugby over, Kingsway made the fatal mistake of committing to many players to the breakdown in attempt to drive the opposition forward pack backwards. Lake Joondalup managed to get the ball out and after many of the Kingsway players, forwards and backs alike, were still in the maul, Lake Joondalup had an overlap out wide with 4 players taking on Kingsway’s 2. Unfortunately, the ball also landed in the hands of their very cheeky scrumhalf who managed to outsprint Byron Sparg who, together with Stanley Southwood could not prevent the inevitable occurring, a five pointer to Lake Joondalup. Fortunately for Kingsway, the conversion attempt was pushed wide and with only 7 minutes to go, scores were 5-5. At the kickoff, Justin de Mello’s kickoff failed to go 10m and Lake Joondalup were given a scrum in the centre of half-way. The last 7 minutes of them game were dominated by Kingsway, desperate to try and get over the line for a try but to no avail. Some indecision at the last play of the game saw the ball kicked away when it should have clearly been kept in hand, and a possible drop goal attempt from one of the experienced backs failed to materialise. So that’s how it finished, 5-5 in Kingsway’s first ever draw in a game of Rugby Union. Well Done to Stanley Southwood, Matt Johnson and Justin de Mello who had storming games and to everyone else for a fantastic effort on the day, although this game was one that we should have won. Thank You also to all the spectators who came to the game, mainly from Year 12, we appreciate it very much. Kingsway now has now played its last regular game of the season however there is a strong possibility that a few friendlies may be organised against a number of teams. Thanks to everyone for a great CSCC Competition, it was a fantastic year and we look forward to the possible upcoming friendlies. Please note that this is the last game where Player of the Year Nominations will be submitted, after the deadline has been completed and all the votes added up, a winner will be determined and presented with his award at an assembly later in the year.