SHOALHAVEN Rugby Park was turned out in fine fettle for the once a year Green Steam day.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A large crowd had gathered to the fray and the ground was picture perfect and despite heavy recent rains was firm underfoot.
The Shoalhaven ExServicemens’ Shoals’ first grade side was again depleted of its service personnel but still fielded a young side bristling with enthusiasm, talent and aggression.
This was the Shoal’s second home game and they scored a well-deserved win against a Bowral team that never gave up and pushed them all the way.
Leading by 10 points to five at the break, Shoals doubled their score in the second half to take the game 20 points to five and earn a bonus point on the way.
Bowral was coming off a major victory last week against the strong Camden.
Both clubs have been struggling in recent seasons but have lifted in strength with some impressive displays this season.
Shoals again took to the field with a rearranged team.
Sam Watts went into five eighth, Stu Scibberas went to full back, Elijah Ah-Chong was on one wing with Matt Spresser slotting into the outside centre spot.
In the forwards, prop Kyle Harrison came in to the side with Alex Wilson moving to lock and young, but also very good rugby player, Angus Clarke taking the field at number 8.
Angus had a rousing game, winning good line out ball and playing very well in the tight tough and tumble.
Shoals opened the game in devastating fashion and went on a roll from the kick off. They secured the ball in the forwards and forced their way to Bowral’s line.
After a couple of pick and drives, the ball was given to Angus Clarke who forced his way over.
The conversion attempt swung wide but Shoals had the lead by five points to nil after just two minutes.
Thoughts were on a walk in the park but Bowral had other ideas.
The game surged back and forth for the next 10 minutes until Bowral’s forwards got up a real head of steam and blasted their way towards Shoals’ line.
They kept the ball in tight and after a fine fit of head down, charging rugby, forced their way over for a try.
Their conversion also swung wide and the scores were locked at five apiece.
While the scoreboard was left untroubled for the next 20 minutes, the crowd was delightfully entertained with some great running rugby.
Both teams swung the ball all around the park and despite the odd slippage through an excitable wayward pass, the game flowed at lightning pace.
Ah-Chong was quite brilliant on his right wing while Stu Scibberas showed dazzling pace when given some room to move.
Tim Murphy again excelled with his no nonsense tackling and crashing runs up the middle.
Sam Watts provided a useful link between the forwards and backs with half, Paul Clements, playing his usual brilliant game.
Just as the bell ringer’s hand was lifting to toll the gong for half time, Shoals tore up the field after being awarded two penalties in succession.
After some hard attacking rugby, Shoals were driven back through a clearing kick by the Bowral full back.
It landed into Spresser’s hands, who then outflanked his immediate opponent, deftly kicked ahead and took play close to Bowral’s line.
Shoals won the ensuing line-out, opted for the forward drive, turned the ball to Kyle Harrison, who ploughed through his opponents, opening them up like the heads, and crunched his way over the line.
Again the conversion just missed the mark but Shoals trooped off to the break leading by 10 points to five.
The game’s intensity increased when the two sides returned to the field for the second half.
Bowral really turned the heat up from the restart and looked to be in command of ball, space and time.
Shoals however weathered the storm with Wilson, Burton, Tom Aney and Keegan Stevens getting through plenty of tackling.
Matt Spresser came in to lend a hand and upended rival after rival in a tenacious bid to halt the rolling juggernaut.
They just held out against the Bowral side, with a determined tackling effort.
At the 15 minute mark, Shoals broke free of the encircling net and made 50 metres from a well-judged Clement’s kick.
The ball went to both sides of the park before Ah-Chong picked it up close to Bowral’s line and lunged across for a well deserved try.
Conversions were hard to come by but Shoals had stretched their lead to 10 points.
Bowral then camped for the next 10 minutes inside Shoal’s half.
They went very close to getting the ball over the line on many occasions but the defence held.
Shoals fought their way out of that troublesome spot and then occupied Bowral’s territory for much of the remainder of the game.
The danger for Shoals was that any loose passing could see Bowral put on a long range try and then close the gap right up.
They were not allowed to do this, as Shoals played a tight, controlled game to close out the match.
Just before full time Shoals, much to the delight of the vocal home crowd, scored their fourth try and ensured they would take away the five competition points on offer.
The try was set up through a strong Scibberas burst down the left touch line.
From the line-out, Keegan Stevens popped up as if from nowhere and dived over, knocking out the corner post.
The conversion failed but Shoals had finished off the game in fine style.
Best players for Shoals were Alex Wilson, Tim Murphy and Matt Spresser.
Shoals again play at Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen’s Rugby Park next Saturday against the always strong Wollongong University Club.
This will be the fourth holding of the Foster Emery shield game with the winner of the first grade game taking home the trophy.
Shoals will need to play well to wrest the shield back from the University team.