26/06/2010 Hunters vs Kings Old Boys

Hillies 1st grade played out a frustrating one point loss to Kings on Saturday afternoon at Boronia Park Oval.

Bad weather had meant a change of playing field for all the grades, and all the grades played out a physical game with tough oppositions.

The 1st Grade game was a close encounter and both teams struggled to spark into life. Kings started the stronger of the two as Hillies were put under early pressure.

Kings crossed the line first, and the rest of the half was full of mistakes and penalties to both sides. Sammy Henry managed to kick a penalty bringing the scores to 7-3 at half time.

Hillies started the stronger in the 2nd half, and centre Ben Bates made a break through the Kings defence, scoring to make the score 8-7. Hillies kept up the pressure, and some good work by Dan Casa on the wing sent Tom Kellaway through for his 3rd try in 2 games. Hillies now led 13-7 and looked good for a win. But King's weren't finished, and they managed to squeeze a over a try and conversion putting them ahead 14-13. The final minutes of the game were frustrating for both teams, with Hillies failing to capitalize on some kicking opportunities. The final score 14-13 to Kings.

2nd Grade was far better news for Hillies. The top of the table clash turned into a grind with both teams playing a really physical game of footy. The first half saw both sides cough up possession in the greasy conditions. Hunters played the corners well making some good ground through the middle of the ruck only to be stopped by some desperate Kings defence. Ben Smith was awarded with a rty from a charge down to make sure Hills would play from in front. The remainder of the half saw Hillies play for territory, pinning Kings inside their 22. The defence was brutal with some strong hits laid on from Chris Collins. A late penalty goal was slotted over by Smithy to have Hillies head into the break 8 – 0.

The 2nd half started in the same fashion as the first half ended with Hillies pumping the Kings line. Man of the Match Ben Smith was outstanding, taking advantage of Kings staggered defensive line to dummy, step, jink of his right foot to score underneath the posts. Conversion successful taking Hillies out to a 15 – 0 lead. From here on in Hillies fell asleep, making error after error, compounding that with a succession of penalties. Eventually the weight of possession told and King’s took advantage with a try down the blind side to get on the score board. 10 minutes later they scored again through ill discipline to bring them within 5.

With the game on the line, Hillies dug deep to push their way back into enemy territory with some strategic kicking. Pressure on their set piece bought an error from the Kings forwards to which Smith stepped up and in similar fashion to his second try, took advantage of some tired forwards around the ruck, to dummy, step, and sail in under the posts taking our lead out to 22 points to 10 to which the scores remained for the final minutes of the game.

The lineout was superb, ensuring our ball was safe and stealing if not making it pretty difficult for Kings all day long. The scrum was strong again led by Cam Van Oirshot, Jules Arndt and the returning Andy Johnson. Captain Jordan Butler was his usual self, taking his opportunities from the back of the scrum creating the odd overlap on the blind side. And last but not least, Ben Smith was enormous again scoring all 22 points racking up 3 tries, converting 2 and a penalty. Not only superb in attack but was just effective in defence cutting down numerous Kings backline raids.

3rd Grade squeezed out another close win, the score 10-7.

4th Grade against KOBS was not the most distinguished performance of the season. Hillies felt confident in having addressed the problems from their first round encounter and while their strategy of nullifying the Kings big, mobile back rowers worked well, a penalty and then a very lucky charge down try and conversion saw Kings with a handy 10-0 lead at half time. A second half  try by captain Richie Colley and the resultant conversion had Hillies back in the game at 7-10, but a slashing try by the King's 11 adjacent to the posts, pushed them out to 17-7, which remained the score until full time. It must be said that the combination of the conditions and the weight advantage enjoyed by the Kings opposing pack saw Hillies with very little clean ball and not much quality field position.

Colts won yet again, winning 31-0. And 5th Grade went down 15 - 5.