Rugby match report – August 4, 2018

St Patrick’s College 1^st XV vs Marcellin College VSRU SEMI FINAL-

Full time: 25 -“ 17 (HT 12-3)

Try scorer/s: Josh Wilson-Stanton, Eddie Sauvao, Penalty

Conversion/s: Pou Siola’a (2/3)

Penalty/ies: Pou Siola’a (2/2)

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5 -“ Ethan Jessop 4 -“ Josh Cooper 3 -“ Eddie Sauvao 2 -“ Regan Champley 1 -“ Ryan Yeomans

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Last week the -prize- was a home semi-final, today it was a place in the Grand Final. This was evident in the intensity of the game. A wonderful crowd was treated to a spectacular game of rugby, fiercely contested, by two quality sides. Facing each other in consecutive weeks led to a closer contest this week given each other’s knowledge of our two respective sides. There was an element of attrition and, ironically, the side against the elements won their half, however we would be able to defend with greater success for longer periods and still enjoyed opportunities to score.

We won the first half, into a strong breeze, 12-3. The turning point was a yellow card to our opposition’s Fullback, which also resulted in a Penalty Try. After sustained periods of pressure, our defence was resolute and our transition into attack was clinical. Such a moment led to our first try of the contest, scored by Josh Wilson-Stanton. Marcellin concluded the half with a Penalty Goal, but the damage was done and the lead was significant, as was our opponent’s inability to breakdown our defence.

The message at halftime was to not assume the game was won, that with the elements on our backs that the result was now a foregone conclusion. We needed to utilise our advantages, however we needed to do so by playing smart rugby. Ultimately, we made many questionable decisions in the second half that let our opposition into the contest. The key to our final success was our ability to maintain scoreboard pressure. As Marcellin fought their way back, we were able to keep just out of touch. Marcellin pressed to the final whistle and won the second half, however the damage had been done in the first exchange and there was jubilation for all supporting us as we secured a place in the Grand Final.

So many people have got us to this point and Saturday’s game provided a snapshot of the power of our rugby community and those supporting us. Preparations were outstanding (I would almost say perfect), the field was resplendent and the support was something Shed Oval had never seen before. We are so close to creating history and now just wish all within our College’s extensive community to join us next Saturday and help us over the line.