Match v Westfield

Another match, and another perfect day in Australia. We played our 3rd match today against Westfield Sports high school which we knew was going to be a tough test.

The first half started slowly with each side exchanging blows through the centres and Westfield using their huge pack to try and force a hole, but to no avail. Luke Baker scored a brilliant try beating 2 players after a well executed backs move, putting Whitgift 5-0 up. Will Page then slotted a penalty to make it 8-0. Another team move put Jordan Lewis through a huge hole, making it 15-0 following the conversion from Pagey. Westfield were quick to strike back using their huge runners in the backs to tear holes in our young backline. 15-5. However our technical ability at the set piece held strong as Rob White bulldozed his way over from 5metre out for his first try of the game. 22-5.

The second half started much the same way as the first did, as neither team were quick to find their rhythm. Our forwards soon came into their element as Westfield tried to force things around the ruck. The opposition proved to be extremely physical, but the way the team stood their ground and made tackle after tackle proved to everyone and ourselves that we can mix it with even the most physical of sides. Another number of line breaks again caused our opposition trouble. James Donohue going through on a well drilled “Coke” move and George Smith with some spectacular footwork. But it was again the clinical precision of the forwards and in particular the quality of Max Valler’s line out throwing and the general line out itself that proved the final nail in the coffin, with Rob White going over on the left hand side and Will Page again with his kicking boots slotting the conversion. In an ill tempered finish Whitgift held their cool and saw the game out, with Westfields finishing the game with 14 men on the pitch.
The result 29-5 to Whitgift a great win, a great performance and the starting block we needed.

The evening was topped off with a challenge race set by one Mr Steve Smith(Father of George), a 60m sprint race against the coaches, in which he would take on all comers, indeed a man who could run in his prime 10.8 for the 100m. After a surprisingly spritely Mr Wilkins volunteered himself, he then was closely followed by his 12 year old son Cameron and then after dragging a not so keen Mr Webb to the start line. Could the result of the story ever have been in doubt. Mr Webb by probably 5 metres, he even had time to turn to his opposition and face them as they ran over the finish line. Mr Wilkins a solid second, and good olde Smithy 3rd, indeed he only just beat young Cameron by about ½ metre. The moral of the story, as soon as you start to pat yourself on the back, you go backwards, a lesson both the Whitgift players and Mr Smith should pay careful attention to. Role on Southport!!!

S.Cooke