1st Grade – Kentwell Cup
On a windy day at Lofberg Oval, we saw two spirited sides battling it out for the 4 competition points on offer. Mosman ran with the wind in the first half, and applied the pressure – pinning Knox in their own half for most of the period. Their set piece was strong, they held onto the ball and turned pressure into points.
On the other hand, when Knox ran with the breeze in the 2nd half – they also applied the pressure – but were unable to execute in the critical moments, continually letting Mosman off the hook.
Both sides played plenty of rugby, but it was Mosman who converted their good play into points.
3 points – Oliver Nutbeen
2 points – Brian Ferguson
1 point – Pierce Richards
2nd Grade – Burke Cup
This week was a tough loss for the team as they definitely deserved the win. The boys understood what had to be done and what had to change in order for our team to go forward this year. The intent was there from the start and the energy during warm up was the best it’s been all season. From the kick off we put a great amount of pressure on Mosman and our boys grew in confidence, dominating every part of the first half but the frustration of not getting points on the board was beginning to show. Going into halftime 10-3 from a good try to Matt Davis. The boys knew we needed to capitalise more on the possession and territory we had in the first half.
The second half we still dominated in parts but the last 20 minutes was where the momentum started to swing. Mosman scored 2 tries in the final 5mins to get over us at the end of full time 25-20. The boys put in a huge shift and fell short, but now understand what it’s going to take to make the top 4 this year as we know we can beat any team in this competition.
3 – Matt Horsley
2 – Harry Stocks
1 – Tiago C. Vega
Colts – Barbour Cup
After the disheartening loss to Drummoyne the following week the colites had a massive challenge ahead of them against the undefeated Mosman Whales.
The first half was a defensive battle for the colites as Mosman won the toss and chose to play downwind. The likes of Jono Stenning, Ewan Leonard and Dan Garing all lead the charge in this defensive battle. Much of the first half was spent on the Knox try line, and it was only a matter of time before Mosman went over. 5-0
Knox forced around six knock-ons in the next sequence of play but it was hard to find momentum. Struggling to get a good field positioning kick or even a good break to give them some go forward. Mosman continued to play their well-structured footy with some clinical field positioning on some good kicks which found Knox on their Try line again defending them out. Once again, Mosman’s strong forward pack was able to find the white line taking it 10-0 at the break.
With the wind behind the boys back, there was confidence in the air after a solid defensive effort in the first half. With a couple of good field positioning kicks, Mosman was in the same position as us in the first half. The attacking pattern from Knox took over with a pushing play to get into Mosman 22 then a pick and go from Liam Matthews to get Knox there first try 10-7. But Mosman would come back strong with a penetrating run from the 15 for Mosman getting to the Knox five-meter then spreading it wide to find themselves a try in the corner. 15-7
10 minutes remaining.
The colties being 8 points down, had to make some big plays. The Knox forward pack found themselves battering through tackles with the backline exploiting gaps in the Mosman defence this found them on Mosman 22. 5 minutes remaining.
The forward’s pod attack coupled with pick and go found us on their try line. Dan garing screaming for the ball receives the ball off sam asher, Garing throws a two-man cut out to Tommy Nicholl who passes it to tom brown to go in on the corner.
12-15
90 seconds remaining.
Mosman kicks the ball off a couple of quick pods hit-ups, and sam asher finds space on the blindside to get into there 50. Final play.
Back to the structure to slow the playdown and then Zac Feaunati finds a break to get into the Mosman 22. Mosman on the back foot a quick ball play out the back to Darcy who goes out the back to Sam Rechner finds some space to draw in two defenders whilst throwing a lob pass over the top to tom brown. Tom Brown now in spaces fends of one defender, heading towards the corner post Tom brown puts the wheels on locking into a big dive into the corner Try knox!!!!!
15-17 Knox with the upset over the undefeated Mosman with two trys in the final 10 minutes!
3rd Grade – Whiddon Cup
Mosman are always a tough team to play against especially with the limited preparation we had. But our thirsty 3rds really it took it to the Whales on Saturday and were leading right up until the final few minutes. We welcomed back Ryan “the Rhino” Walker who, together with Willie Kuki Kuki, the 150-gamer Karl Gray, Luke Stuart-Smith, James Higgins and Michael Balk gave us some real grunt in the forwards. Fraser Bursle was also a stand-out off the bench, adding some size and aggro.
Manny Bell at 10 controlled the game masterfully with a superb running and kicking game in windy conditions. He scored and converted his own try midway through first half. Our outside backs, John Harris, Mikhail Ushakoff and Charlie Yeomans chased Manny’s kicks hard to shut down Mosman and pin them in their own territory. First-season player, John Harris went on a blistering 40-metre run in which he showed his incredible speed to carve up the opposition. His first try in rugby cannot be far away. Centres Rory Callow and Henri Schmidt defended very well in the midfield and in attack, Henri scored with a fine try in the first half. We were very unlucky to be disallowed a try by captain Matt Hill just before half-time which would have put us further ahead on the scoreboard and might have won us the game in the end. Mosman scored a try at the death and the final result was 14-17.
All-in-all a fine effort from the boys and the result could easily have gone our way if some of the 50:50 calls had gone our way.
3 – Manny Bell
2 – Matt Hill
1 – Ryan Walker & James Higgins
4th Grade – Judd Cup
Saturday saw a few new (old?) faces in the 4th grade line up. We welcomed back Hamish MacGilvray, Richard “the Mist” and David Maxton, Ian MacLaughlan, Rob Crosling and Angus “the Jav” Engelen, who all made an impact on the game. However even with a new lineup, we showed the undefeated Mosman side we were not prepared to be rolled easily at home. Both sides worked hard in the forwards, both in attack and defence, feeling each other out. Led up front by legend Bryn Robertson, the Knox forwards didn’t take a step back. The Mist showed his class early on with a great turnover and was a everywhere securing ball or working for Mosman’s.
Knox took the lead early with a great try by 1st grade coach Jac Cameron, who sprinted 40 metres to score the opening try. The Jav then demonstrated his work in the gym by picking up his opposite number. Impressive, not to the refs liking and earned himself 10 minutes on the side line. Mosman took advantage of this and the score was level. Both sides continued to look for openings but were evenly matched. Eventually a gap opened in the Mosman line for Ashton Craig to glide through and head for the line. Caught just short, a fortuitous pass found the Jav’s hands and Knox was up 10-5. A conversion by Ashton made the score 12-5 with only a few minutes to go.
Fortune then favoured Mosman who found themselves on the Knox line with a minute to go. A try in the corner made it 12-10. Thankfully the Mosman No 10 hooked his kick and Knox was the winner.
3 – R. Maxton
2 – M. Balk
1 – J. Bonwick