Game Report: Aug 13, 2009

Aurora Barbarians – Under 18 Boys
Aurora Barbarians RFC (ABRFC) 10 - Lindsay RFC 12

It is always a long drive out to Lindsay and it can be even longer coming home, especially after losing a close game as the u18s did last night. Their season ended with a gut-wrenching 12-10 loss in the TRU quarter-finals.

"We entered this game as the decided underdog", said coach Sandy Townsend, "and nobody expected us to win tonight, but the boys gave it 100% and look at the result. I am really proud of the effort and style of play. We just gave away too many chances and came up short."

The u18s finished the regular season with a record of five wins and two losses and were ranked seventh of the eight teams to enter the play-offs. That meant the long Wednesday night trek to the cornfields of Lindsay to play the second ranked home team who finished their season with an undefeated record of six wins in six games.

Late arriving players meant that a slightly adjusted line-up took to the field with a new second row pairing of Mike Southcott and Eric Godwin together in the 'engine room' for the first time. The only other change was Zach Moore coming in for Adam Honsberger and loose head prop.

The changes worked as the u18s dominated the line-out and held their own in the scrums. They opened the scoring after the ten minute mark when second rower Mike Southcott squeezed in the right corner. The convert attempt from the touch line just fell short, but Aurora was on the board.

Lindsay came back to score an unconverted try of their own to tie the game, and that is where it stood for most of the first half. Unfortunately as time was running down, two key mental mistakes and some poor tackling gave the home side a second try and this time the convert was good. The score was then 12-5 as the teams traded ends.

Townsend made some substitutions at the half to replace some tired legs as the heat and humidity began to take their toll on the youngsters. These changes, while helping, also disrupted the continuity and it took Aurora most of the half to get into rhythm.

Lindsay missed several penalty kicks that would have made it a two-score game and a tenacious Aurora defence prevented any attempt by Lindsay for a try. Finally a series of rucks and powerful runs drove the ball deep into the home side's end. The u18s were not going to be denied. First, #8 Mike Perkins crashed into the defence. No score. Then prop Michael Joseph came inches short. Another ruck. This ball the ball was swung wide to inside centre Jesse Walker who made it over the line to narrow the gap to 12-10. WIth darkness looming, the mosquitos swarming and a hostile Lindsay crowd it was always going to be a difficult convert attempt. It fell just short.

Lindsay kicked deep and prevented any attempt by Aurora to move the ball wide into their backs and with that the whistle went, the game ended and the Aurora Barbarians season had ended.

In his post-game press briefing Townsend commented on the game and the season saying," The boys did everything that was asked of them tonight. They played hard, fast and physical leaving it all on the field. No coach could ask for anything more. I am also impressed that tonight there were 13 guys waiting on the sidelines for a chance to go in. Not all of them made it, but there was no bitching or complaining. I think that speaks volumes about our effort as a club. I'm already thinking ahead to next year's line-up when some of these players return."