Huntington Shines For Premiers Over Shamrocks

Bowral have maintained their second spot on the IDRU Competition Table with a definitive 29 – 5 victory over Shamrocks at Eridge Park. The Round 13 match was played in bitterly cold and blustery Southern Highland conditions with the Blacks dominate, scoring five tries before the Rocks crossed for a late consolation try.

It was a difficult day for Shamrocks, not only contending with the conditions but also losing key players to injury throughout the match. The first twenty minutes of the match was a real arm wrestle with the defense of both sides dictating proceedings. Eventually with weight of possession and field position favoring the Blacks the trend of the match swung toward the home side. With Lachlan Huntington producing a master class at Fly-Half, the Blacks put on three tries in the last twenty minutes of the half to go to the break 15 – 0 up.

As the windy conditions eased a little after the break the Blacks dominance continued with form Front Rower Todd Pearce putting on two converted tries for a 29 – 0 lead after sixty five minutes of play. To their credit the Rocks kept toiling away throughout but lacked any real attacking flair on the back of another almost non existent kicking game.

Things started frustratingly for the Rocks when after just three minutes they lost Halfback Corey Aylette to a blue card after the halfback was stunned making a tackle close to the Rocks goal line. Struggling to stay with their hosts, Shamrocks also lost their Captain Damian Clark to an ankle injury prior to the break with the Blacks taking control of the match.

It was almost thirty minutes before the first try came on the back of a Huntington cut out pass to flyer Henry Yuill. The pin point pass cut out three Bowral players landing on the chest of the winger who scored wide on the left. The second fell to center Justin Madden who crossed from close range after several attacking phases close to the Rocks line.

The third try was a remarkable effort from Huntington who took on the Shamrocks defense in a confident run from twenty out bumping off defenders as he jinked his way to the line.  In the windy conditions Huntington couldn’t convert the tries as Bowral went to the break with a 15 point lead.

With Huntington directing play, Bowral quickly took the ascendancy after the break camping deep in the Rocks half of the field. On the back of some strong attacking play repelled by dogged Rocks defense Todd Pearce finished off twice with short runs to score on the left. Huntington converted both as the wind subsided somewhat for the Blacks to establish a 29 – 0 lead with still twenty five left on the clock.

The defensive intensity of the match and the weather conditions took its toll as the match rolled awkwardly towards its conclusion. Shamrocks posted a consolation pushover try to Kalem Smith in the final minutes to bring up the final 29 – 5 score line.

In a masterful display Lachlan Huntington took maximum points in the IDRU Player of the year Award, in a performance reminiscent of his award winning 2018 form. The Bowral front row of Pearce, Hooker Alaomanu Feiloivao and young Prop Clancy Donnan were outstanding leading from the front all day. No.8 Jack Parsons continued his strong form with center pairing Feterika Sage and Justin Madden causing the Rocks no end of trouble in both attack and defense. Fill in Fullback Austin Lockington also produced a quality effort throughout. Captain Coach Tim Small is reveling in his added responsibility as his combination with Huntington grows in importance for the club.

Shamrocks will be happy to put this match behind them in the race to the semis. As many Illawarra rugby people can testify to, it’s a tall order to travel to Eridge Park at this time of year and play your best football. Defensively the Rocks produced their usual strong effort for most part of the match but the lack of a kicking game and with very few attacking options available to them it proved to be a long afternoon for the visitors. Iszak Lunney again produced an outstanding performance with Lock Brodie Scott playing well above his weight until injury forced him from the field late in the game. Centers Tristram Storm and Dale Sullivan had an absorbing contest with their Bowral counterparts with Sullivan earning two points in the IDRU Player Award. Fullback Ben Stewart continued on with his good form.

Bowral 29 (Todd Pearce 2 tries, Henry Yuill 1 try, Justin Madden 1 try, Lachlan Huntington 1 try, 2 goals)

Def Shamrocks 5 (Kalem Smith 1 try)

Other Match Results

Avondale 48 Def Camden 12

Kiama 36 Def Campbelltown 27

University 31 Def Shoalhaven 0

Vikings 57 Def Tech Waratahs 14