From the Convenor of Rugby, John McCoy
1st XV Match Report – Waverley College Vs Newington College
Waverley College headed to Stanmore to take on Newington College, following a bruising encounter against Scots last week. Fortunately, the injuries suffered in the Scots match were not as bad as first thought. The Double V was just about at full strength and welcomed Felix Valentine and young Ronald Volkman into the starting team.
It did not take long for the home side to post the first try of the match, as Newington were able to use their size to find their way through the centre of the field.
Volkman was then able to make an early impact in his first starting match for the 1st XV. A penalty tap taken from Reece Thorn quickly found its way through hands to the Waverley outside centre in space. Waverley back but still down on the scoreboard, 7-5.
Newington were using their size effectively, with captain Angus Bell making some barnstorming hit-ups to put his side well over the advantage line. The Waverley defensive line did seem a bit off early and this allowed Newington to go through for their second try of the game.
It was becoming another seesawing affair, as Waverley evened up through a nice play close to the line. Thorn picked out his captain, Conor Molloy, on the inside to touch down. Not long after, a nice “in and away” from Phoenix Baldwin almost had Luca Martin scoring in the left corner.
Luca Moretti was able to stamp his authority on the match as he beat five defenders to score for the Waves. Once again, Newington fought back to reduce the margin with a strong try by winger, Tom Latu. Waverley held a narrow lead at the break.
Early in the second half, it was the hard working Harry Whiteman who flew down the right wing to score. The pace of the big second rower resembled that of Usain Bolt. Waverley now not only had a decent lead but had found a new representative for athletics season!
A tremendous tackle from Reece Thorn almost put a stop of the seesawing pattern of the match, as Newington went back on the attack. However, the speedy Newington fullback, Saul Lewis, capitalised on a misdirected kick to put his side back into the match.
Alex Rice and Felix Valentine made some strong charges up field to put the Double V back into a scoring position. A well delivered short ball from Daniel Andrews, put Luca Moretti in for his second. Luca scored 5 points for his team and an 8.6 for his dive!
Lathan Hutchinson-Walters was able to once again put his influence on the match, with another solo effort as he chased down his own chip kick to score. This gave Waverley a comfortable lead as the sun began to set over the Newington playing fields.
Alex Rice strolled in for another try under the sticks and Waverley continued to extend the lead from a driving maul as Aisea Aholelei crashed over. The Waves total had now hit the half century mark.
To the credit of the home side, Newington continued to try hard until the end with the big winger, Latu, proving to be a handful for the Waverley defenders. But, when replacement winger Jacob Tomasiello picked the gap from a good ball by Volkman, the scoreboard hit 57 to 29 and the match was over.
After some concerning injury worries following the Scots fixture, the Waves were able to bounce back nicely. Waverley now head home to take on Shore in the final CAS/GPS/ISA trial round ahead of the long weekend and the commencement of the CAS season.
Around the Grounds
The 2nd XV continued to show signs of improvement, securing a draw against Newington. Jacob Tomasiello was good in the back, as was Barnaby Bickmore-Hutt up front. Steven Schocher showed a good turn of pace for the 3rd XV who were well in the match for most of the game. The home team proved too strong in the end, scoring a late try against the run of play. Heath Lawther did not stop working and helped his 4th XV side to a tight win 19-12.
The 16As hit a bump in the road in their season, going down in a thriller. Unfortunately, Emmanuel Di Bartolo and Will Baker both came away from the match with injuries. We wish them well in their recovery. The 16As, although disappointed, will learn plenty from the match. The 16Bs enjoyed a bye – thanks must go to all those B players who showed up to support their age group. The 16Cs took on Sydney Boys High 16As and only went down by a try in a wonderful team effort. Wilson Leow was taken from the field in an ambulance, but pleasingly has been cleared of any serious injury. The 16Ds also were competitive in taking on the higher graded Newington 16Bs team.
The 15As were doing it comfortably at half time, leading 26-10. The Newington 15As side fought back to win the match in the second half. Like the 16As, the 15As were all disappointed but will learn valuable lessons from that fixture. The side also welcomes back Ben Zlattner and Matthew Chapman in the coming weeks. Peter Reeves, who moved up in grade, made a terrific contribution in the 15Bs win. The 15Cs played against St Patrick’s, Strathfield and enjoyed a 46-point win with Rhys Johnson having a strong game.
The 14As came up against a very big and strong Newington side. Waverley had their chances to score, just falling short on a few occasions. Nick Quinn played an outstanding match, taking on players twice his size. Ayden Diffin, Cooper Corban and Jack Rigg all played well in the 14Bs win. The 14Cs played against Reddam, who managed to score the opening try and put plenty of pressure on the Waverley side. Waverley just managing to get home 27-17 in the end. The 14Ds had an excellent contest. With minutes remaining, Waverley converted a try to go to the front by a point. Newington were awarded a penalty at the last play, and kicked the goal to win it by 2 points.
Archie McInally and James Hoggett tried hard for the 13As, who played against a very impressive opposition. Tommy Walker had a blinder for the 13Bs, as did Toby Unsworth in the 13Cs match. The 13Ds had some success at Stanmore. Special thanks to those players in the 13Ds who stayed back to assist the 13Cs following some confusion around the draw. Harry Hill scored two beautiful tries and Dorian Deger tackled anything that moved in the 13Es impressive victory.
CAS/GPS/ISA Trial Vs Shore
This weekend Waverley College faces up again against Shore. The 13s, 16s and Opens play their final match at home for the term, with the 14s and 15s heading across to Shore’s home grounds at Northbridge. Earlier in the year, Waverley played against Shore in the very first trial fixture for the year. This should provide a good indication of how each team has progressed from the start of the year to this point. This will be the final trial match ahead of the commencement of the CAS season, following the long weekend.
Respect Rugby
NSW Rugby has recently created a Respect Rugby Program to assist in maintaining respect towards all that participate and contribute in making our game great. Waverley College Rugby is extremely supportive of this new initiative.
The Respect Rugby Program goes through the various roles involved in rugby from players, match officials and spectators, and sets guidelines as to what is expected. Included in this is an online reporting tool, should a member of the community witness any incidents which may work against the intentions of the Respect Rugby Program. For more information, please click here.
A Moment of Magic
Last weekend the Sydney Morning Herald’s, “Fitz Files”, covered a wonderful story in a match played between St Joseph’s College and Cranbrook. For those who missed it, I thought it was a tremendous story that needed to be shared and congratulate both schools in their involvement. It serves as a reminder for us all of the true joys that the beautiful game of rugby can deliver – not just in the winning.
“A moment of magic” by Peter FitzSimons (Sydney Morning Herald, 25 May 2018)
You’re right. Rugby is going through grim times in Sydney Town and points north, south, and west, but it is still capable of generating wonderful stuff. A case in point came last Saturday in the Eastern Suburbs when the Cranbrook 4th XV were playing their counterparts from St Joseph’s College. Late in the game, a Cranbrook lad with Down Syndrome, eager to play with his mates, came on to the field to have his first game-time of the season. Nothing was spoken. Intuitively, the Joeys and Cranbrook lads looked meaningfully at each other, and knew what to do. With Cranbrook taking the kick-off, the ball was quickly funnelled to the new arrival, as he set off for the line, and the Jo boys moved to stop him …
Sort of.
That is, through a combination of the newcomer running like a scalded cat, his mates running and riding shotgun all around him, and the Jo boys somehow missing their tackles by mere inches, he proceeded to run all the way to the tryline to score the first try of his life, all as the crowd came to their feet and roared, before both teams came together to warmly congratulate him.
Bravo.
Who won?
Who cares?
The congratulatory words of the Joey’s headmaster, Dr Chris Hayes, to the entire school on Thursday, bear repeating.
“For that young man, his parents, his schoolmates and their parents, as well as our Joeys staff and parents, a great moment of jubilation and celebration happened on that rugby pitch. Our boys saw a need and did something about it. You may never know the good you have done because for that young man you made his day. And it will be a day he will never forget. He will always remember the day he scored a try against St Joseph’s College. From the actions of our boys we have a clear display of great compassion, unselfishness and generosity. You have changed someone’s life and to the Joeys boys responsible, we salute you for being outstanding ambassadors of our great school.”
PREP 1st XV VS KNOX ON QP1 – This Saturday!
This Saturday our mighty Prep 1st XV side from the Waterford Campus will be playing on the Queens Park No.1 field. This side will be playing against Knox Grammar School at 10am (following the 16As match). It will be an exciting time for all the players involved in this match. What would make this game even more special would be a big crowd present to cheer the young men on. I encourage all members of the Waverley College Rugby Community to get down QP1 at 10am to support our junior lads. I am sure this opportunity will serve as a “Moment of Magic” for many. Good luck to all players and coaches involved!
Good luck to all teams this weekend in the final trial match before the CAS Competition!
WAVERLEY TO WIN!
