Starting team:

The run on squad has a few changes for this week; Nic Curtis, Geoff Wells, Karl Truijens, Rory Collins, Simon Johnson, Bennett Carroll, Al Hall, David Holt, Dom Longhurst, Henry Fisher, David Bond, Alex Lavender, James Bender, Anthony Shortis and Liam Windon.

We are at the home of Eastwood Rugby Club today and it is a beautiful sunny day with a strong wind across the field a little variable variable but will favor Norths in the first half.

Play is underway and what a cracking pace we are seeing. The quality of play is outstanding from both teams. I doubt if they can keep this pace up for the entire game.

A great kick by Alex Lavender that takes Norths just a few metres out from the Eastwood line.

Norths get the ball from the line out, spins the ball across the field and Alex Lavender goes in under the posts. Henry Fisher converts; Norths 7 Eastwood 0.

Norths are looking good and mount wave after wave of attack. Eastwood are driven back over their line. I am sitting with Bondies dad who tells me, ‘’Norths are really taking it to them”.

A penalty to Norths, 30 metres out. Henry Fisher takes his time to line up and skillfully hits the right hand post, the ball then makes a 45 degree change of direction and sails between the posts; Norths 10 Eastwood 0.

All the Norths forwards are playing with conviction and are setting a very solid platform on which to build a sold win. The line outs are also looking good for Norths.

Eastwood mount an attack of their own but Norths get them over the side line.

Norths make a good break of some 40 metres but Anthony Shortis can’t gather the ball before it rolls into touch.

Bondy makes a great break, passes to Liam Windon but the Eastwood defence gets to him some 10 metres out.

Eastwood make a number a good breaks one almost the length of the field but on each occasion the Norths defence is just too good.

An up and under by the Eastwood winger who re gathers and scores. The converted try takes the score to Norths 10 Eastwood 7.

A number of good phases by Norths and David Bond slices through to score. Henry Fisher converts from the side line.

So at half time the score is Norths 17 Eastwood 7. Is it enough with the assistance of the wind Norths have enjoyed.

Following the break we see Norths knock on and surrender possession to Eastwood who seem to attack for some 10 minutes before scoring. The try is converted; Norths 17 Eastwood 14.

The Norths forwards continue to look good. They make many metres employing pick and drive but then someone decides to kick through. Not a good move as Eastwood uses the wind to kick down field some 70 metres. All that hard work…

Simon Johnson appears to be injured, neck problem and is replaced by Keith Coassin. Henry Fisher also comes off and Andrew Stannard is on.

A good kick up field by Norths and a driving maul sees Al Hall score; Norths 22 Eastwood 14.

Bennett Carroll gets the ball from the line out, a driving maul and Geoff Wells score a great try; Norths 27 Eastwood 14.

8 minutes to go and Norths now have 4 tries.

A penalty to Norths right in front. Norths 30 Eastwood 14 and this was the final score.

Coaches comment:

We didn’t do ourselves any favours by not scoring many points in the first half when we had the wind at our backs but I thought we used the wind particularly well in the second half. Overall I was pleased with the way the boys played.

Best and Fairest:

3. Al Hall
1. Karl Truijens
1. Dom Longhurst
1. Alex Lavender


Final score: Norths 30 (G Wells, A Hall, A Lavender, D Bond tries, H Fisher 2 goals, H Fisher pen goal, A Lavender pen goal ) defeated Eastwood 14 (S Needs, T McDonald tries, T McEntyre 2 goals)

3rd Grade finishes the season in 2nd place on 54 points.

Good luck boys in the finals.