Round 6 – Match Reports

Whiddon Cup – 3rd Grade

The thirsty 3rds came up against a well-drilled and formidable Forest who were placed 2nd on the ladder.

Unfortunately numbers in our 3rds/4ths squad were lacking and at least 7 players had to run straight on for 3rds after playing a whole game in 4ths. Among them were Michael Balk who played all of 3rds and all of 4ths in an unfamiliar position (5/8th) and Charlie Yeomans who did the same and was thrown in the deep end at #9 – a position he hadn’t played for years – after the birthday boy, Alasdair “Whiskas” Davey, left the field.    

A shout out to many other players on Saturday – we ably led by captain Ryan “Rhino” Walker who led by example and tried his hardest to keep the forwards revved up. Try-scoring machine Willie Kuki Kuki who crashed over late in the game after some superb pressure by the forwards and quick thinking by Whiskas to take a quick tap. We welcomed back Sione, Hame, Joseph and Lukas Choi all of whom both had a positive impact on the game. We welcomed newcomer Andrew Jerogin (brother of now stalwart David – who had a good game). Simon James made a couple of goo runs on the wing and Mikhail Ushakoff and Sione made some strong tackles in the centres. Locky Hebron had his usual impressive game but unfortunately had to leave the field due to injury.

We tried hard the whole game and the final score (5-38) by no means reflects how close a contest it was. We matched them in the forwards but the Forest backs, especially their 5/8th and wingers, were far too slick for us out wide. All in all a good effort but we just did not have enough fresh legs (we finished the game with 14 players) nor enough possession at the right end of the field.

3  – Charlie Yeomans
2 – Michael Balk
1 – Sione Fekitoa

 

Judd Cup – 4th Grade

For the first time this season, and maybe many seasons, 4th grade was changed and warming up 30 minutes before kick off on Saturday. It was an experienced Knox side with seasoned players such as Timmy Parker, Bryn Robertson and Adam Welsh, along with colts such as Simon James.

With confidence Knox began the game well, with the forwards working hard to maintain possession in the rucks and mauls. This platform helped us maintain pressure on the Forest team, and eventually this paid off with a nice try to captain Luke Rissman. Knox continued to maintain good ball control and forwards taking the game to their opposite pack. With the Forest forwards scrambling to control the Knox forwards, “The Commodore” Bryn Robertson wound back the years (10?) and scored a great try after selling an outrageous dummy close to the line and diving over.  Conversion by Henri Schmidt-Liermann and the score was 12-0. Now the game started to open up with both backs and forwards running freely. Angus “Jav” Engelen scored a great solo effort starting just in the Forest half and scoring under the posts. 19-0. The second half was probably not as flowing as the first, but Knox scored three more tries to Luck Rissman, Ian Thompson and Rob Shelston. One being a driving maul from the lineout which rumbled its way over for a try, much to the delight and encouragement of the coaches. Final score 36-0.

Next Saturday is away to Blue Mountains, which we must win to have a chance for the semis. There is also the strong chance of having to play the abandoned game vs Waverley on the Sunday, depending on other results.

3 – Ben Rissman
2 – Angus Engelen
1- Luke Rissman

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