3rd September 2005
Under 11s: Old Collegians 0 v Southern Suburbs 42
It was always going to be a big ask against the bigger Souths team that
has not lost a game for three years. The boys approached their task
carefully but knowing if things went right they could do it. They played
what was to be one of their best games of the year. We won about 65% of
the ball from all set plays. We wanted to keep the ball away from their
fast runners and it almost came off, but the powerful Souths backline
rushed our smaller backline players and the turnover rate was just too
great. As the score line mounted, the boys did not give up and tried
variations on their game plan. It was a great effort by all boys and they
tried their hardest, but it was not to be. “Next year” they said at
the end, unbeaten in their minds and showing to be true Old
Collegians.
Under 14s: Old Collegians 22 v Southern Suburbs 0
Through the mud, through the blood to the finals (again)...and this is our
year. In very heavy going the Old Collegians Under 14s ground out a
physically gruelling but convincing win against a much improved Southern
Suburbs. The first half was simply slogged out in ankle deep mud between
each teams 22 metre lines with very little give or take by both sides.
Eventually from the back of the lineout and about 40 metres out Harley
plucked the ball from the air, saw a chink of daylight between a couple of
Souths players and ran straight as an arrow to score our first try.
The second half saw Souths begin to falter as Harley ran in a couple of
additional tries, followed by Tom Sullivan once again showing soccer
skills to kick and dribble the ball some 40 metres to score under the
posts.
The final score was 22 – 0; a reasonable reflection on the strengths of
both teams. Everyone played extremely well. We now play the Grand Final on
10th September against Onkaparinga.
U16s: Old Collegians 12 v Onkaparinga 19
Our best team display for the season was not quite enough to overcome
Onkas in this pulsating semi-final match. We headed into the game as clear
under-dogs, but for all that Onkas scored 2 tries (and 1 conv) to zip in
the first half. It was obvious from the boys work-rate and commitment that
we were in the game. For the first time this year the Forwards
demonstrated the cohesion at the breakdown that we all suspected was
there. The result was a well executed yo-yo and Kabil crossing in the
corner. Onkas, though, broke through for a third try and the pressure was
back on. It could have easily been "heads down" time but not so
for this enthusiastic, gritty team!
From a scrum well inside Onkas 22 a searing run from Robbie Bell released
Kabil on the left wing from the half way line to run through the remaining
defence and score under the posts. Jack Macklin converted and it was game
on at 12 – 19 with 5 minutes to go. Alas it was not to be. There’s no
disgrace in losing to a good team if you play to your best and this
excellent group of our young men most certainly did that today.
Congratulations to all the team and to coaches Ryan ‘Boo-Boo’ Nielsen
and John Bell for a successful and very entertaining season.
27th August 2005
U8s: Old Collegians 25 v Vikings 25
The U8s had an exciting fun game, sharing the ball around the team –
showing the skills that they had learned during the season and getting
five very good tries. After the game they celebrated the season in the
clubrooms.
U9s: Old Collegians 55 v Vikings 15
A fast scoring game by Old Colls, an excellent way to end the season. A
fine game by Lachlan Pridham, Ryan Foll and Cameron Andrews. Some U8s
helped out the U9s when they had finished their game.
U11s: Old Collegians 20 v Vikings 22
An exciting game of two halves. Old Colls led at half-time but the Vikings
came back in the second half to win in the last minute. Good games by
Paddy Macklin, Stewart Nutt and Darren Pinkerton. Player of the Day was
Ross Andrews who dominated the halfback position on the field.
U12s: Old Collegians 33 v Vikings 24
Perhaps their best win of the year, showing a lot of confidence and ball
handling skills. Excellent game by Patrick Brooker, Chris Russell, Brice
Nairn and Chester Armstrong. The usual U11s helped out the U12s.
U14s: Old Collegians 103 v Vikings 0
A one-sided game. Old Colls totally dominated the smaller Vikings team.
All players excelled. The team showed itself to be confident and a well
drilled team and are looking forward to the Finals.
U16s: Old Collegians 69 v Vikings 5
With Souths/Vikings only able to field 13 players (reduced to 12 in the
second half) the resultant space was too much of an invitation for our
much faster, hard running backs who put on 11 tries to one in this
decidedly one side match. To Souths/Vikings credit their pack held up well
in the scrum but our forwards dominated at the clean out and in open play
- prop James Marshall making one notable 20 m dash. Nick Walker was good
in the line out and Andrew Bradley tackled well. The try scorers were
Robbie Bell (4), Jamie Foster (4), Kabbie (2) and Sam Berketa (1).
Conversions by Jack Macklin (5), Robbie Bell and Jason Leonardis one each.
For the record Robbie Bell scored 114 points for the home and away rounds
(22 tries, 2 conversions). So it's on to the finals next Sunday
13th August 2005:
U8s: Old Collegians v Brighton
Everyone had a great game, with tries coming quickly for Old Colls and not
so quickly for Brighton. The team skills are coming together and the team
has the makings of a good future for Old Colls rugby.
U9s: Old Collegians 40 v Elizabeth 15
A fiery game against Elizabeth which almost got away from the Old Colls
team. A strong finish secured the win. Excellent game from Dexter Duckett
for his tackling. Lachlan Pridham and Cameron Andrews had great all round
games.
U11s: Old Collegians 76 v Elizabeth 0
An outstanding game from the Old Colls team against a larger Elizabeth
team. Many tries scored from good team work and supporting play. The team
is coming together at the right time of the season in readiness for the
finals. Best player was Sam Collett with excellent games from Darren
Pinkerton, Stewart Nutt, Nick Howlett and Jeremy Wittert.
U12s: Old Collegians 22 v Brighton 12
A well deserved win created from good all round play. Good games from
Brice Nairne, Chris Russell and Hugh Hope Murray and excellent kicking by
Chris.
U14s: Old Collegians 41 v Brighton 10
Coming off the back of a very strong game last week and a good solid work
out at training on Wednesday night, the lads put in a lot of effort to
bring in a 41-10 score line. With strong workloads from backs and right up
their forwards the team effort was good to see. The business end of the
season is with us now and the lads are ready to make their presence felt
in the finals.
U16s: Old Collegians 46 v Brighton A 5
A comprehensive, if scrappy win at Brighton. Although we had too much
enterprise and pace for the opposition, handling errors meant we did not
see much in the way of phased play. That said, when the ball stuck the
tries came. Five in the first half - one each to the wingers Tom Sullivan
and Ashwin Thomas, one to hooker Ned Fitzgerald and 2 for Robbie Bell. The
second half was pretty much as the first with Rowan Mein scoring a try
followed by Robbie crossing the try line twice more, for an excellent four
tries on the day. So eight tries in all with Jack Macklin converting four
in a strong breeze. Hooker Ned Fitzgerald played very well, with good
support from Rupert Weaver and Vince Donohue.
U18s [Colts] Old Collegians 3 v Brighton 24
A strong start from the colts once again this week, however, missed
opportunities was the story of the day. Old Colls were unable to
capitalise on a strong first half wind, which made the rest of the day
more of a battle. A good all-round performance from captain G.Barrett
& a season best game for J.Gummow.
30th July 2005
U 8s: Old Collegians 50 v Souths 50 - an exciting and spirited game for
a draw of 10 tries.
U 9s: BYE
U 11s: Old Collegians 5 v Souths 50 - a good game, but we were beaten by a
better team on the day. The combinations are coming together, but too much
ball is being given away. Sam Collett had an outstanding game on the wing
as did Stewart Nutt in the forwards. Player of the day was prop Andrew
Smith for his work in the tight and for his excellent tackling.
U 12s: Old Collegians 0 v Souths 68 - a loss to a team who have not been
beaten for a number of season but we played well and never gave up.
U 14s: Old Collegians 22 v Souths 25 - a very close game, but
unfortunately lost on the final whistle with a try in the corner. Harley
Jansen very dominant in the forwards and the centre combination of John
Knowles and James Wagstaff bought points for the team.
U 16s: Old Collegians 0 v Brighton B 25 - a tense top of the table game.
The Brighton forwards used their size to their advantage and dominated the
game in the tight. Old Colls backs played a spirited game with the ball
that was available. Rowan Mein had an exciting game. Our Canadian import,
Cameron Polson, had his last game and will be missed.
U18 (Colts) Bye
23rd July 2005
Under 8s: Old Collegians 40 v Vikings 40 – The best game the Under 8s
have played this year.
Under 9s: Old Collegians 10 v Vikings 30
Under 11s: Old Collegians 45 v Vikings 22
Under 12s: Old Collegians 0 v Vikings 60
Under 14s: Old Collegians 87 v Vikings 0 – The whole team played
really well, especially our outside centre. Brilliant game.
Under 16s: Old Collegians 36 v Vikings 26 – A win, but not a pretty
one. We struggled to dominate a clearly weaker side.
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