2021 – Round 3 Roundup

From the Jaws of Defeat!

Another close game, only this time we manage to wrestle a win from the jaws of defeat.

First time this season we scored first, on the back of a break from our newest recruit Epeli Ratabacaca.

We were able to recycle possession that saw Jayden Wall scoring and Stuart Raines converting the extras.

After scoring we were put under immense pressure by the opposition. Our mistakes didn’t help, the simple ones hurt the most dropping balls, falling off tackles, on top of a mounting penalty count. Kings Old Boys struck back through sustain possession and territory to score in the corner which they converted. Not long after they converted a penalty.

Again we struck back through Epeli Ratabacaca who released Chris Royale for a runaway try, Stuart Raines converted. With minutes left till half time and the opposition pinned in their half, off the back of a scrum they manage to cut us through the midfield and send their winger scorching the sideline to score wide, unconverted.

Kings lead at half time 15-14

The third time this season we hit straight back after halftime. Through some continuity and hard carries from our relentless forwards led by Michael Parker, our backs were able to string a few good passes together to send Alexander Roch for an unconverted try. Minutes later Stuart Raines stepped up to slot a penalty which saw us enjoy a briefed lead with the score at 22-14.

We allowed the opposition back with some sloppy defence around the ruck, got penalised for offside and we started to fall off tackles, saw the opposition camped in our 22 and converting their possession to points.

We have enough talent in our team to manufacture points, it just seems today we wanted to do it the hard way, unstructured. A converted penalty kick to Stuart Raines and another raid into the opposition 22, saw Jayden Wall scoring his second thanks to the lead-up work from his mates in the engine room. We lead 32-22.

The last 10 minutes, what can I say, 10 points in front, the opposition found another gear against our fading defence. They managed two quick-fire tries and converting both to take the lead. 3 minutes to go we had to find a way, we put together a few phases, took advantage of a couple of penalties got into the opposition 22, through another penalty resulting in an opposition player being sent to the bin. Last play we called for a scrum, very nervous moment, scrum had to be reset once but ultimately our pack delivered a good base for Matt Norman to seal the victory, picking from the back of the scrum and fighting his way to the try line.

What’s pleasing today was the work our forwards went through, be it our skipper Michael Parker, Braydon Lenz, Justin Gates or Matt Norman, they never stopped working and I can say today we rode on their backs to stay in the game.

A few areas for improvement no doubt, A worrying factor for me is that we didn’t look like executing our game plan once. An area we will no doubt look to rectifying next week.

Special mention to the men that debuted with Brothers Rugby on the weekend, Adam Sheers, Epeli Ratabacaca, Nemani Luvuivale. We also welcome back, club great, Justin Gates.

The points this week.

3 Points – no surprises here, Michael Parker just leads from the front.

2 points – Matt Norman not just scoring the winning try, was not far behind his skipper, toiled hard

2 points – On the back of his runs and creativity we manage to score tries, Epeli Ratabacaca

1- Point – Braydon Lenz starting to follow in the footsteps of his skipper, hard valuable carries!

See you at training

Lenny