Norths U17 Gold 12 - 11 Redlands

A last gasp try and conversion saw North Brisbane Junior Barbarians U17 Gold deservedly win the pre-season final by a point over Redlands. Norths finished the rounds unbeaten.

The final was played at Ipswich against a very capable Redlands outfit. However, the opening 10 minutes went by the North’s script, as they camped in the Redlands’ half, dominating up front and the backs attacking with great vigour.

But from there things turned pear-shaped for Norths. The turn over count got to double figures, which allowed Redlands off the hook and extract 3 points after a rare foray into their opponent’s half.

From the kick off, the pressure was again all on Redlands, but for all Norths' possession and territory, Redlands took another 3 points against the run of play.

With North’s bordering on panic, the usually well-drilled side began to snatch at passes, put the ball to ground and get isolated.

At half time Redlands were 6 points ahead. The second half started much more positively for Norths with passes sticking and ground being made.

An early assault was thwarted on the line. Again, after a vigorous passage of play Caleb from 40 metres out worked the blind side and smashed through the tacklers to be finally hauled down a metre short.

From a defensive scrum Ryan pressured the Redlands half into error and Jake pounced, collected the ball in one motion and jinked his way to the line. With the defence sucked-in he found an unmarked Ryan with a clear passage to the goal line.

With the conversion missed and the score at 5-6, the game was tense, but surprise quick restart from Redlands caught Norths unprepared and forced back to their own line.

In under minute the Norths fight back was reversed and Redlands extended their lead to 6 points with another try with 8 minutes left.

From the restart, Norths pressured the Redlands defence and forced several attacking lineouts.

Norths pressure finally paid off when Redlands were penalised for too many in the lineout. A quick tap free-kick saw Evan swing his huge frame into attack. With extra grunt provided by Jack in support, Evan forced his way over under the posts.

With the extra points needed to give Norths the lead for the first time, Jake this time made no mistake to take the game 12-11 at full time.

Editorial:

Though we didn’t play well, our defence was again desperate and the victory capped a very good season of results. In our squad of nineteen: Brendan, Liam, Kayle, Gerhard, Jason, Jake, Caleb. Watson, Evan, Josh, Paul, David, Ollie, Josh, Josh, Ryan, Ben and Jack, all contributed wonderfully to the day either on the day or in the lead-up games. It is an honour to manage these young men once again and their next adventure awaits.

Redlands 5 - 17 Norths U17 Gold

Four down and two to go. A very hard fought victory against the men from Redlands achieved under difficult circumstances with the game finishing early.

Tries to Paul and Brendan with Jake converting both from wide out and slotting a penalty as well.

Sunnybank 14 – 36 Norths U17 Gold

Two down, four to go. A game of two halves. From the kick off we played like we were on an opposed training run, we scrummaged, rucked and mauled as if in a coaching film. Dominated the territory, drove their scrum and had 80% of the possession: to be trailing 0 – 7 at the 34th minute mark.

It was then that the slumbering giant awoke. From a five-metre lineout Gerhard took a clean throw at number two and with the balance of the lineout folding in behind the ‘testudo’ marched forward and Tim scored a great try.

Half time and 7 – 7.

The half time break was spent searching souls and a change of attitude to the proceedings. We kicked off for the second half deep into enemy territory, the forwards arrived a split second after the ball had landed and the poor receiver was unceremoniously stripped of possession by Evan, driven the twenty metres back to his try line with Evan completing a very dramatic passage.

Two try’s in two minutes. 7 – 12. Like cave trolls from Lord of The Rings, Tim, Ollie and Evan rampaged from end to end creating havoc with their pick and driving. The carnage didn’t stop there.

Our scrum shunted the Sunnybank pack back every time and on occasion further than the allowable 5.0 metres eventually leading to a tight head. It was a dominant performance. Sunnybank was conceding quality at every turn.

Three more tries were conceded by the home team from our rampaging gothic warrior pack.

Our last try was a total recognition of our dominance with Jake holding up a perfectly timed pass threading Kayle through a hole in their defense, jinking out he found a perfectly aligned back line poised to pounce. Quick ball through the hands found Jason, our man for all occasions, steaming at pace with passage to the corner.

Sunnybank clawed one back under a setting sun for a full time score of 14 - 36.

What a fantastic half of teenage rugby, tight forward play with dramatic back line movement. Again, no one can go unmentioned. Josh S, Liam, Ben and Josh L dominating the Sunnybank front row, the already mentioned cave trolls, Gerhard, the man of the match, the always present Brendan and our corner stone David.

Ryan again linking forwards to backs, the intrepid midfield, Jake, Caleb and JD. Paul on the left wing, 65k ringing wet joining in with the forwards with their pick and drive, the man’s crazy, but such is the passion in this team that no one wants to be left out and Kayle, who found wonderful creativity at fullback with all that additional space.

Last but not least, Watson, if it were Evan’s feats of strength last week it was Watson this week, his damaging runs were brutal and invariably only brought to a standstill by massed Sunnybank defence. What a sight.

Ipswich at home next week and I wish the boys good luck.