1981 Second Grade Premiers

From the Tregenza Times

Two reports - by Peter Tokarski and Sidney Feldheim

THE GAME
by Pete Tokarski ( the elated captain)

The way in which we won this game was demonstrated from the outset. From the kick off by Brighton, our forward pack worked as a unit and continuously drove forwa.rd with tight play and solid running.. They neither gave, nor asked for, any quarter and asserted a dominance in all phases of play. John Hardy, John Rich, Richard Waddicor, Dave Corbett and vice-captain Dennis Hay demonstrated to one and all what the word "driving" really means. Backing these skilled and determined men was the bulldozing yet steadying display at lock by Bob Inskip, the superb blind side covering by Owen Clark and the energetic determined pressure by open breakaway Dennis Hay.

As a result extremely good ball was produced and half back Tim Farrah utilized this to the fullest passing out superb ball
or creating havoc on the blind side, by linking up with the inside backs and winger Denzil Church.
The continued pressure kept Brighton in their own half and due to the offensive position the backs, although hesitant initially threw the ball around well, and gained valuable yards with good high kicks.
Owen missed a difficult penalty chance and a few minutes later great ball from a lineout saw the backs initiate a "Denzil Two"
which nearly came off.

Brighton now placed one of their forwards as an extra. man in the backs due to the dominance of our forwards and tbe constant probing of our backs.

Great ball was won from a scrum ten metres out and the backs had called an "Ella" (this has become a Collegians trade mark?).
Ross De La Motte (playing well) drew his opposite number completely and slipped the pass to perfection. We were through and there was nothing they could do about it. A long pass to Kevin Walden saw accelerate over for a sensational try. Owen's conversion attempt went wide, 4?0.

Our adrenalin was pumping even more now (if that was possible) and our over-anxiousness saw us make a. few mistakes; not fundamental, simply trying to do too much. Brighton capitalized on a poor "chip" but sound defence by Tim Kinsella. (I think?) topped their outside centre from scoring a runaway try. The forwards kept doing tbeir jobs and the backs didn't give their opponents room to move as their defence was again first class.
The first half went to the Collegians forwards all eight of them.

The second half began like the first with the Collegians pack driving Brighton backwards. Due to the immense pressure applied on them the Brighton backs began to make mistakes and we intercepted twice. Whenever they did advance Tim Kinsella caught and kicked the ball beautifully to turn defence into attack. Ross and Roger Davies made some good breaks and Roger was caught metres from the line. From a scrum, metres from Brighton's line our forwards controlled the ball magnificently. Tim Farrah darted around the open side and brilliantly drew the five-eighth, delayed the pass and then slopped it out to give me a try on a platter. Owen put over the conversion casually. We led 10-0.

After a great game Bob Inskip left the field with a shoulder injury although he wanted to stay on even though he was in great pain. Brian Lee joined the pack and put 80 minutes of rugby into the remaining 25 minutes or so. We now lost a bit on concentration and Brighton was in our half for the next 15 minutes. In that time they kicked a penalty and made a few good overlaps. Yet our cover defence proved too strong although it looked like the customary Brighton comeback. By now our tremendous supporters were using their vocal cords liberally and although we couldn't hear ourselves our hearts were in overdrive. We again went into attack through the zestfulness of our forwards and speed of our backs; plus intelligent kicking by Denzil and Tim Kinsella. Brighton didn't give up and applied pressure to our inside backs and continually just managed to keep us out. Right on the bell Owen had a chance to increase our lead and did just that with a sound penalty kick for the Final score 13-3.
After a six year period our SECONDS were again PREMIERS!!!!

As Captain of this great team I would like to congratulate and thank the whole squad for a great season. On their behalf I would like to express our appreciation to our supporters who watched us during the year and on the day; to the First graders who helped us in our preparations and to all those who played in the team this year; to our wives and girlfriends for theitr tolerance and support; to Grant Grace for his efforts; to Mick Finn for his help; to managers Shona Barbour and Roger McDaniel; and, last but by no means least, to Club Coach John Davies and our own coach Tony Spawton.
Thanks to All

SECOND GRADE GRAND FINAL REPORT
Sidney Feldheim

WE WON...My notes are indecipherable, but I'll try to see what comes out..

The whole teams first 20 minutes playing was at least 50% better than the first half against Brighton 2 weeks ago .... Only problem seemed to be players kicking ball to Jones, the Brighton fullback....however Waddicor was giving him hell whenever Brighton won lineouts which O.C. were winning 6?4. Tim Kinsella, played a very safe game at fullback for us. 28 minutes into the second half we won a scrum on the 22 metre line, Tokarski backed up for a second run and threw a long pass to Kevin Waldren and that was That ... 4-0

Brighton Hooker warned for second time by ref. for deliberate stamping ...Owen Clark had an attempt at goal and missed.

Collegians were continually harassing the Brighton backline and not giving them any room to move. Still 4?0 at half time. The second half opened at a cracker pace, but unfortunately Bob Inskip suffered an injured shoulder ... unnoticed by the ref. he was on the ground when Brighton fullback kicked to the line, put the ball straight into Skippys hands as was on the ground....quite amazingly Bob got to his feet and tried to set up a move. Collegians were dominating every facet of play. ...Inskip off with a dislocated shoulder and replaced by Brian Lee. Our second try was a beauty....a scrum 15 yards from the Brighton line... Tim Farrah made a quick break, straight to Pete Tokarski wbo went over ... 8-0. Owen Clarke converted 10?0. Five minutes later after a scrum infringement Brighton got their only score 10-3.

30 minutes into the second half we received a free kick and missed. Right on full time we received a free kick which Owen Clarke dobbed over. Final Score - Old Collegians 13 Brighton 3.

MY OPINION

This was one of the finest team games I have ever seen from an Old Collegians team in any grade ..... I flatly refuse to name any best players .... Every player was a credit to himself, his team and his Club, no one tried to star, and the obvious rapport that the lads had with one another was a lesson to any team even if the result had gone the other way (extremely doubtful) I would have still made the same remarks about the team work .... Great Work!