Match report for game against Shoalhaven

Last Saturday we played Shoalhaven in Nowra. After two very close games in the opening round, we went south with some hope of going one step further. Unfortunately, despite having a couple of weeks off, we struggled for numbers.

Shamrocks second grade played the first half into a bitting cold wind, struggling to get a consistency and possession going, it was 26 to 5 to Shoalhaven at half time. In the second half we turned and ran with the wind, Shamrocks started to get on top with two tries to close the gap to 31 to 17, Shamrocks looked the better team. Shoalhaven scored a penalty goal, 34 to 17. Unfortunately, Shamrocks were unable to convert their possession into more points.

Final score 34 to 17 to Shoalhaven.

First grade also started off playing into the wind, but this time Shamrocks never looked like they were in the game. Shoalhaven dominated possession and territory in the first half, with Shamrocks having to constantly defend their line. I thought that, like seconds, things may have turned with the wind in the second half, but it was not to be.

Despite the score there was a lot to be positive about. Our scrum held up well (on paper it should have been pushed around the park), our line-out gave as good as it got and our attack out wide looked dangerous on many occasions. What let us down was handling in the cold wet conditions and falling off too many tackles. Against the Miller and Brandon brothers you can’t do that, they’ll punish you every time, and they did.

The game looked to me like a young team being given a lesson in rugby by an older more experienced team. We learnt a lot on Saturday and will be a lot better for it.

Final score 50 to nil to Shoalhaven