Saturday was a step up from previous weeks for the 1^st XV. The signs were good from the start with a solid warm-up which flowed over into the game from the moment the whistle was blown.
The boys ran Haileybury all over the park and kept them pinned down in their half having to run heavy defensive work. Skevs capitalized on the forward assault running in tries for a solid early margin. However, we took the foot off the pedal after 15 minutes resulting in a decline in possession. In spite of this we did keep applying the pressure which saw the half out in opposition territory.
Coming out of the break St. Kevins needed to make a good start to the half. This was accomplished through the forwards and great kicking from fly half Mitch James who stepped up again to show his increasing dominance on the game. St Kevins then proceeded to put the tries on the board resulting in the mercy rule being called at 50 – 5.
Going into the game every player had a job and the team was intent on stringing together a good performance for a full 70 minutes. Mitch James led the team around well through his kicking and decision making, Jeremy Tait and Charles Randles and Shaun Paul-Lake proved to be pests around the ruck. Harry Tyquin showed some great defensive skills putting on consecutive hits and backed up in the lineout with Adam Dole who has become one of the better lineout jumpers in the competition. The front row, led by big Will Chalmers, again was dominant in the srums and hitting the line hard. Stuey Engledow and Michael Kneebone were more involved this week providing good running and defence with Ross Arnold and Linz Smith.
Congratulations to Jack Foster, Jihaan and Jessie who all came on and provided an impact. Jack Ryan again provided comfort at the back. Hence it was a team performance and one to be proud of, and it can all be attributed to a great week of training