Reserve Grade Win!!!
Reserve Grade made up a team to take on Scone on Saturday. We had no reserves bench and Brodie Nankivell played in the 2nd row!!!
A very close game saw the lead constantly change, but with only a few points in it. The put together forward pack, led by veteran Warrick Moore and Dwayne Dunne won just enough ball for our classy backs to keep driving into Scone territory.
Quirindi hung on to a slim lead for the last 15 minutes to win 21-20, to great applause from the sideline.
Coach, Andy Avard, was ecstatic, but would not single out any individuals, only praising what a wonderful team effort it was.
What didn’t go unnoticed though, was Ryan Potter, playing hooker and in his first game for ages, pulled off 5 clean tackles in a row, which was way above the coaches target of 3!!!
Points were 3 to Ryan Potter, 2 to Ed Nankivell and 1 to Isaac Roebuck. The players/player went to consistent Morgan Murtargh.
First grade was back to full strength but made a slow start again. Scone was immediately on the attack and only some desperate Quirindi defence saw the Scone winger bundled into touch in the corner. Soon after Scone was awarded a penalty in front and their kicker made it 0-3. The Quirindi backs toed a loose ball through and looked set to score but were beaten by the fast Scone outside centre. The Quirindi centres did a great job containing him for the rest of the day.
Quirindi was starting to put some good phases together and made ground only to let themselves down with handling errors. However, it must be said Quirindi was constantly pushing the envelope in attack, never taking the cautious approach.
Finally, after pressuring the Scone line to left and right, a long cut out pass by Tom Koerstz allowed Tom Fuller to score 10 m in from touch, but the conversion went astray. 5-3.
Soon after the restart, Dan Calavassy chipped and regathered. The ball went to several players who all looked set to score, but it was finally, prop forward, Jock Livingston who made the overlap to score 8-3.
The Quirindi backs were looking menacing and a breakthrough by fullback Brodie Nankivell was pulled down a metre from the tryline. Quirindi retained possession and George Murray scored through the ruck. Still no conversion 15-3.
Quirindi were on top, but Scone was a determined and gritty opponent, who were always dangerous. With a Quirindi player yellow carded for lifting in the tackle, they were a man down. Scone opted for a penalty scrum in front of our posts and eventually scored in the corner.
Then the Scone outside centre, who had been so quick all day, broke through to score.
15-15 at half time.
Brodie Nankivell headed to the bench for a break, to be replaced by Isaac Roebuck who immediately made some incisive runs. Quirindi toed a ball through, and it was eventually grounded by hooker, James Davison. Whilst only another 5 points on the board, every rugby enthusiast knows that when a front rower scores it is worth 3 tries scored by a backline player!!!! Quirindi in the lead 20-15.
Quirindi had the bit between their teeth and the opposition under a lot of pressure, but constantly let them off through their handling errors. Eventually, a long ranging pass to five eight, Dan Calavassy saw him score untouched. Isaac had a crack at kicking to make it 27-15.
Scone then put together some particularly good backline play to score under the posts. Full time score 27-22.
Both exhausted teams clapped each other after a great contest.
3 points went to Angus Clift, 2 to George Murray and 1 to Tom Fuller. The players/player was awarded jointly to Tom Fuller and Dan Calavassy.
Next week is a Zone bye and the following week we host Narrabri at home.