Scotch College

Matches - Saturday 8 August 2009

1st XV Playoff vs Xavier College WON 39-0

At last! At long last! The team finally performed as we all knew they were capable of. In a performance that had everything, Xavier College were put to the sword. Showing an attitude and commitment to attack we took control of the game from the first kick-off (so much confidence that in less than 2 minutes an outrageous field goal attempt just sailed wide) and the further the game went the more dominant we became. For the first time this season the team swung into immediate action, sweeping Xavier aside to score the first of the game's seven tries. From then on the team grew in confidence, backing themselves to move the ball away from the defence, giving themselves room to run.

Two more tries in the first half saw the lead blow to 17-0 with the feeling being that one more score would seal the result.

Xavier felt the same pressure; they dug deep early in the second half, put us under pressure in the scrums and at the breakdown, and tried to claw themselves back into the match. But it was not to be. Our forwards came alive and with some fine driving play banged on two quick tries to snuff out any Xavier recovery. Such was the dominance that a further two tries were added in the last ten minutes, when the changes were rung to get fresh legs onto the pitch. Only some wayward goal kicking kept the score within bounds; but 39-0 against one of the rising teams, coached by the State Coach, is a result to be savoured and let all know that Scotch is not going away. In a consummate team performance such as this it is unfair to single out players but mention should be made of all of them.

Teams need strong foundations, and with Kerr, Summons, and Wellings providing the grunt in the block channels; North, Hamilton and Thomas rampaging about the pitch terrorising Xavier's inside backs and Sartain and Harms providing sweep coverage and wide support, the foundations were solidly laid. Late substitutions Shi, Wiencke and Carter provided the fresh spark needed to maintain such a quality performance. The whole pack was hungry, persistent and determined, snuffing out the heavier Xavier pack.

Behind the pack the service and control exerted by Stott and Molloy set the pattern of the game. Molloy in particular was superb, steering the team around the pitch with the deft touch of a true maestro. With Molloy, Olivier and Tyas formed the midfield trio; incisive in attack, and impassable in defence, scything down Xavier's runners without mercy. The backfield, of Evans, Tremaine and von Marburg proved safe and secure under kicks, ran with speed and power when the opportunities presented and generally displayed an air of calm authority. Replacements Tiernan and Bernard continued in the same authoritative way, and Lynch showed a level of service and calm authority when presented with the opportunity.

It was not a total one-sided romp. Xavier shoved us around a bit in the scrum ("blades" are useless for scrummaging) and shaded us at the breakdown where we were a bit slow to support. But we demolished their lineout, with Hamilton and Thomas reigning supreme and when we hit the breakdowns things happened. No watchers and scratchers here. The backline threw the occasional unnecessary long cut-out pass to nobody in particular, but mostly kept their shape and moved with real purpose.

Overall a superb team performance, showing the team's capabilities to the full, and raising the question of what might have been. The team upheld the best of Scotch playing traditions, honouring those teams that have gone before, and showing future teams what is expected. The 2009 Scotch First XV did the bumble-bee jersey proud.

2nd XV Final vs St Kevins LOST 14-17

A fine morning on Scotch's main oval saw Scotch take on St Kevin's for the 2nd XV premiership. The third year running we have faced each other. Sam Murray was back from injury and with a replacement bench comprising mainly of Under 16 players the 2nds were ready to play.

A slow start by the 2nd XV and we were down 0-12 after 10 minutes. It was always going to be difficult to get back against such a strong opposition as St Kevin's. That the team rallied to dominate the rest of the game was typical of this years 2nds. By mid way through the second half they led 14 - 12 following a penalty try converted by Jack Lynch and a well taken try by Steve Amery also converted by Jack Lynch.

Unfortunately, a try against the run of play put St Kevin's back in at 14-17. A penalty attempt slipped past the post and time ran out. Sadly, in a season where we scored more points than any other team we finished equal on competition points with St Kevin's but with a slightly worse for and against record we finished runners up.