From the Tregenza Times 11th August 1987

Some Comments on the 1st Auqust Games

News, like the players, is still only filtering back from Roseworthy where, despite having a full team, the back line consisted of Denzil Church. The pack outplayed Roseworthy College but thereafter, age and treachery were no match for youth and fitness. Doc is reported as having given the best intercept pass of the season!

The 3rds had a comfortable win with the backline showing great improvement. Top scorer was Alistair Miller with 2 tries, 2 penalties and 2 conversions (13 points!) and Farrah, Short, Liebich and Glanville all scored good tries. I could write a monograph on the referee and the refereeing but in general, his decisions were reasonable. However, both sides were guilty of unecessary dissension and the token display by those University players who walked off just before no?side was uncalled for and not in the spirit of the game.

The 2nds performance was encouraging and there was a sense of purpose about the way they played. Geraint Compton showed some of the flair which has been lacking for some time and I gave him best on the ground. Chris Dodson who has been playing consistently well this season put in another dogged game, working hard in the mauls and rucks. Unusual to see Dave Stark at scrum half and occasionally he seemed to forget he wasn't playing breakaway. However he directed his forwards well, brought drive into the game and scored 2 good tries. Tim Campion also put in some driving runs and was seen backing up Tim Naylor. Best players ware Compton, Stark and Cobb. The referee awarded a score of 42-3 but I made the scorers: Stark and Naylor, 2 tries each; Jones, Hawker and Compton 1 try each; John Douglas, 3 conversions and 1 penalty.

The 1sts went out to avenge the defeat by University earlier in the season and did so unconvincingly 13 - 10.

First of all, University had what appeared to be a fair try disallowed. Play was brought back to a point where a Uni player appeared to have legitimately charged down a kick and a scrum was awarded for a knock on. If a knock on had occurred prior to this and the referee was playing advantage he certainly gave no indication that he had seen it.

Second, the forwards who dominated in the previous two games were evenly matched and only occasionally lifted their game to what they are capable of. (I know that is a lousy sentence but my mind was on whether Kim is talking to Timbo yet)

Third, although the ball handling is improving the backline appears to shirk taking the game to the opposition and creating second phase play.

For all that, there were a lot of good points. Greg Kenny tackled well and scored a determined try. Ben Perkins continues to make distance with his kicking and his up and unders must be a delight for the forwards. Mike Raymond appears to have picked up fitness and confidence. His try was more like some of his of yesteryear. Sean Hopkinson at fullback played sensibly, came up into the backline and covered a great deal of ground. He gets best player and the scorers were Kenny and Mike Raymond, 1 try each; K. Faister, 1 conversion and 1 penalty.

General

By the time this goes to press Divisions 1, 2 and 3 will have two games left and Division 4, three games remaining before the finals. Four if not even five, O.C. teams can make the finals. We have the numbers and ability to do this but it requires regular and cohesive training. The return of players who were not available 1st August such as Thorpe, Lithgow, J. Perkins, Secker, Szuster and Yule will put pressure on selection in the higher grades so even more commitment is required from each player to hold his place. If teams are to settle, there is little time for chopping and changing and the selectors are running out of options. In particular there is the question of Mike Shine. He is one of the best in O.C. yet he was played at fly half against Uni. Maybe this shows him as a utility player but it also smacks of expendiency. The selectnrs and coaches must decide where expediency stops and playing the best man for a pointer starts. I wouldn't be a selector for quids.
Danjo 3.8.87

 

21st July 1987 Tregenza Times

MATCH REPORT : FIRST XV versus WOODVILLE

This game (4/7/87) never rose to great heights of skill or artistry but it was a solid performance by Collegians. The score did not reflect the long periods of domination achieved by the team. Highlights of the game included the following:-

Some powerful scrummaging which often saw Woodville marched back yards at a time, an accurate goal kicking display by Rob Sadler, some fine drives by the forwards in the loose and far greater penetration by the backs. Woodville provided stern resistance and tackled well. Their defence was greatly assisted by the non-application of the offside law at ruck and maul by the referee. This allowed Woodville to disrupt much hard won ball and ensured the game lacked continuity.

Early pressure by the forwards resulted in two penalties kicked by Rob Sadler. However penalty tries should have been awarded as the pack walked Woodville over their line in a number of scrums only to see the half back give away penalties rather than allow a score. Just before half time OCRFC scored a try from a most strange situation. Andrew Secker was being treated for a head injury when Woodville attempted a quick drop out, away from the packs. Andrew intercepted the kick, drove into the 22, was quickly supported and from a ruck in the corner, the ball was moved to Beats. He quickly saw the opposition had far more people in the backline than us and so cut back in sidestepping the whole Collegians pack to score in the corner. The score was 10-0 at half time.

The second half saw Rob Sadler kick 3 penalties while Woodville kicked two and their left wing scored a fine individual try to take the final score to 19-12. Despite the grumbles from some spectators there was much to be positive about. Some aspects of play that need attention are lineout - we need faster ball and must dominate teams with no lineout forwards; fitness - we need to be faster to the breakdown; speed - our outside backs need to be sharper to escape the cover defence.

Thanks to John Davies

 

13th April 1987 Tregenza Times

OC'S MATCH RESULTS
DIVISION 1. VS BRIGHTON LOST 3 - 12
DIVISION 2. VS BRIGHTON WON 16 - 4
DIVISION 3. VS BRIGHTON LOST 3 - 6
DIVISION 4. VS BURNSIDE LOST 4 - 20
U.16s VS ELIZABETH LOST 12 - 36
U.12s VS ONKAPARINGA WON 70 - 4
U.10s VS WARATAHS WON 68 - 8

MATCH REPORTS AND/OR COMMENTARIES

1st XV lost by 1 penalty (G. Raymond) to 2 penalties and a converted try. The forwards were expected to, should have but didn't dominate. Line-out play was generally poor with too much loose tapping. At scrum half Alan Keith put in sterling performance and was prepared to take on the opposition.

The threes on both sides put in excellent defence work but in attack Brighton looked the sharper and their passing down the line was better. Tim Naylor continues to improve and bounced back from some heavy tackles. For the second week in a row, Graham Raymond, at full back, showed us that he is a contender for the State team. Rob Sadler with his sights on the line was denied a try when tackled dangerously and high. I would have thought a reasonable case for a penalty try. I am concerned that a player can be warned twice by the referee without having to take an early shower. Place kickers need to put in some practice. Best players: G. Raymond, T. Naylor, S. Beaton.

2nd XV beat Brighton by 4 tries to 1. (R. Quin 2,.K. Falster 1, J. Perkins 1). Brighton did well to hold OCs as they did. Nevertheless OCs despite some team changes should have put up a much bigger score. Paul Warren started the season well and continued in this vein with some good line-out play. Mike Raymond, who has the ability to run round players tended to kick too much and mistimed a couple of chips. In retrospect a disappointing performance.
Best players: P. Warren, R. Quin. G. Lithgow.

3rd XV lost to Brighton by a penalty (J. Douglas) to a converted try. A bit daunting when at kick off you have only 13 of your nominated team present and Brighton are playing Billy Brown, Tayo Londema and Jimmy Wilson. Chris Cushing, who just happened to have his boots with him, came out of retirement and David Bishop, a reserve breakaway, went on to the wing. Both played well. Our hooker was heard to ask why someone who trained with the 2nds should be playing with the 3rds. As I recall, when he was coaching 1st division quite a number of thirds would be seconded to the senior squad when training. Playing with a 9 point wind OCs were only 3 up at half time - ominous when you know who was in the opposition. The line-out play was a weak point and Timmy Farrah at scrum half, had very.little protection. This aspect in particular needs a lot of attention. A pity the ball didn't go out to the backs more earlier on. In the last 14 minutes (all extra time!) when it did they looked quite threatening. Welcome back to old timers, Kevin Jones and Michael Cobb. Best players: M. Shine, T. Farrah, M. Cobb.

4th XV vs Burnside. Again, resplendent in alternate strip, 4ths took field with 4 reserves. After 30 seconds, Giles gained us a kick from his offside position. Burnside pressure relieved by good forward play. Play a bit scrappy, mainly in OC's half. Burnside penalty. 0 - 3. More Burnside pressure; occasional bursts by Colls, from free 5 yards out B quick try, not convertd 0-7. OCs giving too many penalties and thus losing ground. Burnside good move - try in corner, converted 0 - 13. Good passages of play by both sides, with both sides threatening. Another 5 yard penalty to Burnside. Halftime 0 - 13. Started second half in OC territory, eventually we get another penalty awarded against us .Burnside ran well off forwards to score in corner 0 - 17. Forwards forcing 5 yard line-out - determined Giles over 4 - 17. This lifted OC and much better play ensued. Yet another free and Burnside obtained field goal 4 - 20. OCs played better in final stages and were unlucky not to score.
Best players: G. Compton, (Back), G. Firstbrook (Forward).