Shoals spent a great deal of the match defending. Bowral has a well drilled side and commanded ball and space for much of the game. As the pressure to secure scraps of ball mounted Shoalies were forced into giving away penalties which played further into Bowral’s hands. Lineouts were a major problem for Shoals which robbed them of possession and put them further on the back foot.

Despite Bowral’s higher count with ball possession Shoals’ did a great job of keeping itself in the game. With Jack Watts again in commanding form they mounted a series of attacking raids, many against the run of play and kept the score line close. After they scored a long range try at the 5th minute mark in the second half they were back in the game. They hammered Bowral’s line for the next 5 minutes but could not get that vital score on the board.

Bowral fought their way out of the corner with some timely penalties and then began to assert their authority on the game. Their forwards dominated the rucks and mauls and with hard driving play went on the attack. Their efforts were rewarded with hard won tries at the 20th and 25th minutes of the half which took them out to a 14-point lead. Shoals whittled this lead back with a try at the 33rd minute mark but despite a late attacking surge could not get any close by the final whistle. Shoals played a whole hearted team effort with Angus Clark and Josh Mackaness showing out in the forwards while Jack Watts and Angus Maddinson worked hard in both attack and defence in the centres.

Shoals move deeper into the second round of the competition with an away game next Saturday against Shamrocks and then return to Rugby Park for two home games in a row against Avondale on Saturday, June 24 and Tech Tahs on Saturday, July 1.

Shoals 2nd Grade secured a narrow but fine win against a determined Bowral side. Shoals combined well and were solid across the field. At times their defence was sorely tested but many last ditch tackling efforts kept Bowral to just the lone try. The game was evenly poised at 7 points each at half-time with Shoals finishing slightly the better to post a 14-10 victory.

In a low scoring but rugby rich game Bowral racked up a converted try after just 3 minutes of play when their centre raced 40 metres to score. They then mounted enormous pressure on Shoals’ line for the next 10 minutes but Shoals repelled their efforts. Finally Shoals broke free from their end of the park and with a thrilling burst of play landed a converted try of their own at the 16-minute mark. That was the end of the scoring until deep into the second half of the match.

The second half of the game only produced 10 points but it was a see-sawing affair with little kicking and loads of running. Each team went close to scoring but defence held sway. Finally Bowral broke the deadlock with a penalty goal at the 23 minute mark to give them the lead.

Shoals finished the game well and after a series of raids the ball was spun out to Tom Horton lurking menacingly on the left wing and he finished the move off by diving across the line near the corner post. A long range conversion took Shoals to a 4-point lead which they managed to hold onto until the final whistle.

Shoals 3rd grade recovered their poise and winning form with a crushing 33-12 win over Wollondilly. Shoals went to a lead of 33 points to 7 deep in the second half but a late try to the visitors saw them settle on 12 points for the game. Shoals played an outstanding game of team rugby and were in ominous form. With Number 8 Steve Harrison making a welcome return to the paddock this team is taking on a winning mantle.