03/07/2010 Hunters vs Barker Old Boys

Hunters Hill had what could turn out to be the most important games of  their season on Saturday, taking on the high flying Barker Old Boys.

After defeat to Kings last week, 1st Grade now sat at 5th in the ladder and would have to dig deep to find a performance good enough to rekindle their drive for a semi final place. Fortunately, dig deep they did.

The first half was a close run thing. Both teams seemed to have spells of possession leading to some nervous patches on both lines. The Hillies defence was solid and the forward pack not surrendering the ball. The Barkers back-line displayed some blistering pace and looked dangerous any time they got the ball in space. A penalty a piece and a try to Barkers meant the score at half time read 8-3.

Early in the 2nd half, No.10 Ben Smith, who had been having a solid game on his return to 1st Grade, took a head collision and was replaced by centre Ben Bates. A re-shuffle in the back line and a rallying talk from Captain Alex Light saw a wave of determination spread through out the team. Bates made an immediate impact, getting the ball in space and using speed and strength to puncture the Barkers defensive line. His offload to Dan Casa led to a try in the corner. Hillies tails were up. Both teams slotted over penalties, and the score board read 17-16. With the clock ticking down, Hillies won yet another penalty, and Sammy Henry slotted over to take lead 19-17. Credit to Hillies, they did not look to defend the try line in the final minutes, and continued to take the game to Barkers, with substitute Jordan Butler finishing off a great day for Hunters Hill, scoring after a long run in the corner leaving the score 24-17.

2nds

2nd Grade Huntershill 32 Barker 17

A fast start by the Black and Whites saw us a score an early try to Ben Bates off a Barker mistake to again play from in front. The rest of the first half was a dominant one for side from Boronia racking up another 4 tries to head into oranges up 27-3 up. Wayward goal kicking saw Barker still in with a shot at the game.

As we do every week, whether it be in the first or second half, we again fell asleep and let the Barker team back into the match after scoring the first try of the half. Ill discipline at the breakdown saw caution after caution and a dubious penalty at the breakdown saw Club Captain Timmy V given his first yellow card of the year (and I think of his life). Barker would score off the back of the card to climb back into the match. Straight off the kick off, Hillies again conceded a breakdown penalty this time the ref sending Andy J for a 10 minute spell. The boy's dug in their heels and defended like a team possessed, tackling
everything that moved and snuffed out all half chances that Barker had at our line. Upon Andy's return to the field, Hunters went back to basics, dominating at our set piece and again playing for field position. The final whistle blew and the boy's had survived a tough away win on the back on some determined defence.

Best on the park were Rob Grey who stepped up from 3rd grade to lead the team around the park, Canaan Tahura who was busy all day with snipes around the ruck aswell as talk and organisation in the defensive line and Alex Verto who as he has done for the past 2 years, put in his tradesman like performance.

The defence on the line was the highlight with the team showing a lot of heart. A chance to take revenge is upon us this week when Hornsby travel to Boronia this weekend. After the debacle the first time around, we will be prepared to take on a Hungry Hornsby side.

3rds

3rd grade's winning momentum of recent weeks came to a sudden halt against a well drilled Barker side.

A number of forced changes saw 9 new names in the starting lineup, with both 2nd grade coaches pulling a jersey on for a run. Once again we had Colts and also some 4th graders playing their 2nd game of the day making up the numbers. Thank you to all and sundry.

The side started off strongly dominating the rucks, spinning the ball wide and finding open space to secure good field position. This led to an early try to Paul Ah Lam which saw Hillies up 7-0.

Unfortunately from then on it was Barker who capitalised on a lack of structure, some poor options and a couple of defensive lapses from the Hillies side to score 4 unanswered tries. Final score: Barker victorious 24-7.

4ths

4th Grade got up 25-10 with, Liam Cooper, Nick Salmon, Pat Feige, Simeli Latilevu and Anthony Lagan amongst the points scorers

Our re-modelled side put together its best performance of the season against BOBS. Outstanding mobility, confronting defence, excellent contest for possession and straight line attack provided the recipe for a solid 35-10 victory.

The Hunters Hill forwards were relentless in attack and defence, with their support play in crowded conditions a feature. We enjoyed the luxury of having some experienced forwards on the bench and they were just brilliant when called upon, maintaining the tempo created by the starting eight.

The new 10/12 combination of Tony Lagan and Coops proved that straight, hard running not only gives you quality field position, but can also dismantle the confidence of your opposite numbers. Their performance gave us a lot of space and time. BOBS ran on a couple of big 3rd/2nd graders in the second half, but our 10 and 12 dealt with them in much the same manner. 

We scribbled some notes down about our opponent’s lineout, which was probably the best we’ve seen this year.

Big thanks to Steve Ross-Bryant, who stepped up to play, having been heavy with flu the whole week and to Scott Liddicoat, a good first up performance, after a long term injury.

Congratulations boys, a complete team effort

Colts

Colts had great win over Barker 24 to 14. Now with 5 wins in row, firming their position in the top 4, equal points with St Ives, 4 points behind BOBs and 8 points off the new leaders of the comp Hornsby.

The difference with this team to the opposition is their wonderful SPIRIT. They have one of the most dominate line-outs in the comp, with jumpers #5 Scott Woodward and #4 Alex Lloyd, who run so wide and loose, thinks he’s a winger, he needs to add a 1 to the 4.

The Colts are made up of some young players, Paul Ah Lam fly half and Ricki Kucia inside centre, are only 17.

Once again the team scored a bonus point, which has kept them in the running. Tries to Dave Nutty the Irishman, Paul Ah Lam, Alex Lloyd and Will Wright. Mike Kellaway kicked 2 conversions. Players of the match were Dan MacDonald, Jon Ah Lam and Nick Roche.

Many thanks to Will Wright for filling in as half back, who flew back to China the next day. Also thanks to the other coaches for letting colt players from 2nd grade, Alex Vertoudakis and Latu Havea to support the team over the last few weeks.

Up to last week BOBs were #1, now look out Hornsby Hillies are coming...

Once again a great win!

Overall

The club now sits at 2nd in the Club Championship with the possibility of another promotion. After the game, President Rod Salmon issued a rallying cry for the last 7 games. ‘The club is better placed than any I have seen to be in First  Division next year contesting Kentwell Cup. We have the infrastructure, facilities and organization.

We have depth in both players and coaches, a successful colts program, a very strong junior club  that will be supplying players for many years to come. We are well funded, have good sponsors and the enthusiasm to be a Division One  club.’ Salmon quoted after the game. ‘The foundations have been laid for this to be a reality. If we all work a little harder at this goal in all areas of the club I am sure we can make it happen. It is going to be an exciting 7 weeks of rugby.’

Hillie take on Hornsby at Boronia Park this Saturday