Brandon Brilliance Lifts Shoalhaven To Victory  Over Shamrocks

Shoalhaven have maintained their unbeaten run with a somewhat dour 18 – 7 win over a depleted Shamrocks side at Shoalhaven Rugby Park. Their two tries to one win over the Rocks lifted them to third on the table with the loss seeing the Rocks drop from first to fifth after 5 Rounds of the IDRU 2021 Premiership race.

Shoalhaven went into the match without star Flanker Will Miller who is suffering from a bulging disc in his neck which has him in doubt for the Brumbies Super Rugby Final qualifier next week. Shamrocks were even more depleted and struggled to field a first grade standard front row for the match due to the unavailability of several key players. The impact on the Rocks was evident from the outset and throughout the match as the Shoalies strong scrum destroyed the Shamrocks eight throughout.

Despite struggling at the set piece the Rocks were able to compete on an equal basis throughout the first half making more of their opportunities to control much of what transpired in the half. Shamrocks produced another energetic defensive effort to deny Shoalhaven any points until the dying stages of the half despite the Shoalies dominating field position. Likewise the Shoalhaven defensive line was well organized and successfully shut down all that the Rocks could throw at them for the early stages of the match.

The first score didn’t come until the thirtieth minute when Shamrocks winger Liam Vuik finished off a sweeping backline move to score in the corner with fullback James Gurgenven converting for a 7 – 0 lead to the Rocks.

The freakish attacking ability of Shoalhaven wingman Mark Brandon came to the fore in the dying stages of the half when he produced a pin point kick from thirty out for right winger Jimmy Hendrix to regather on the full and score his sides first points. Brandon kicked a penalty goal right on half time for the home side to take a somewhat fortunate 8 – 7 lead into the break.

Shoalhaven came out after the break and showed much more enthusiasm with a noticeable lift in chatter on the field from the home side. Within minutes of the resumption Mark Brandon featured in attack once again. Combining with his brother fullback Steven, the siblings exchanged passes down the eastern touchline producing a fifty meter try for Steven in the corner. Mark converted the try for a 15 – 7 lead to Shoalhaven just four minutes into the half.

The opposing No.8’s George Miller for Shoalhaven and Jesse Parahi for the Rocks led their sides into some torrid exchanges for the next thirty five minutes as both sides couldn’t quite get their attack right to produce more points. The Shoalhaven forward pack continually produced field position in attack but the lack of cohesion from the Shoalies backline contingent saw many opportunities deep in the Shamrock half come to nothing. Likewise the Shamrock attack lacked penetration in the face of the Shoalhaven defensive line and some poor discipline late in the match costs the Rocks any real chance of victory. Mark Brandon added another penalty goal right on full time to dominate his sides scoring opportunities for the match. Brandon kicked three goals and featured heavily in both his sides five pointers.

Man of the Match honors and three points in the IDRU Player of the Year Award went to Shoalhaven center David Priestman with hardworking Shamrock Captain Damian Clark taking two and Steven Brandon scoring one point.

Both sides look destined to feature in finals football in 2021 but will have to improve on their attacking effort from today.

Best for Shoalhaven were Miller, Priestman, Front rower Will Ridley, Flanker Michael Dunn, hooker Thomas Hill and the mercurial Brandon brothers.

For Shamrocks No.8 Jesse Parahi was once again enormous in both attack and defense with wingman Liam Vuik, Lock come front rower Damian Clark, Flanker Manase Tufui and fullback James Gergenven all strong performers.

Shoalhaven 18 (Jimmy Hendrix 1 try, Steven Brandon 1 try, Mark Brandon 1 goal, 2 penalty goals)

Def Shamrocks 7 (Liam Vuik 1 try, James Gurgenven 1 goal)

Other Match Results

Bowrall 66 Def Camden 13

Campbelltown 45 Def University 26

Avondale 47 Def Tech Waratahs 14

Vikings 27 Def Kiama 25