RNRL - State of Origin VIII

The eighth staging of the ever popular RNRL State of Origin challenge took place on Thursday 9th of July at HMS Temeraire in Portsmouth. This year saw the fixture return to the more familiar format of East v West, following two years of Sailors v Marines. History shows that this competition has been dominated by the East Team. However, RNRL Director of Coaching Wayne O'kell brought a very strong squad of West Country Raiders to steal the trophy from the East Team, coached by 1st Team coach Knocker White, in their own back yard.

Kicking off at 1500, the first 10 minutes was played in a calm and control manner by both teams who completed their sets with relative ease, until a high tackle presented West with a penalty 30 yards out. The forwards made deep inroads in field until a fine long pass from Greg Pichilingi to Kava on the right wing saw the first points of the game. Selivunusi Buinimasi missed with one of the worst kicks for goal I have ever seen. 4 – 0.

Both team continued to play expansive football and the fierce battle between the forwards continued as Dave Gee, Lewis Taylor and Jamie Goss squared up to each other and it was Gee who scored the next points when he crashed over the line from only yards out. Alex Scruton missed the kick. 4 – 4.

Following a knock-on by East from the kick-off and then holding down in the tackle by Danny Johnson West were immediately on the attack and went over in the corner, however; it was disallowed for a forward pass.

It was West who took the next points on 30 minutes following another high tackle. From the subsequent penalty West swept down the right side and Johnny Platt strolled over the line. Buinimasi missed again with the kick but was a lot closer this time. 8 – 4.

Both team were beginning to look tired and handling errors where creeping into both sides but it was East that made the crucial handling error with a knock-on only 25 yards from the West line – quick reactions by Kava to collect the loose ball resulted in a 70 metre dash to the line. Second try for Kava 12 – 4. West Captain Goss took the kicking mantle and was unlucky not to add the additional; points from the touchline when the ball came back of the left upright.

Half Time 12 – 4

The second half began with West continuing to build on their lead following another high tackle. From the penalty Jim Barnes made a strong run through the East defence setting up a chance for Greg Pichilingi to score, he dually obliged and Goss added the conversion. 18 – 4.

After nearly a 3rd of the match complete, the physical and physiological battle between to dedicate team boiled over following another high tackle. A couple of handbags and haymakers were thrown; once the players had calmed down the referee consulted his assistant. Both Captain’s were spoken too and East were reduced by one for 10 minutes. Being a man down inspired the East players and 3 minutes later Tom Boyce was put through a large gap in the West defensive line when he received a perfectly timed delayed pass from James Wagstaffe. 18-8.

The next 10 minutes saw tries for both sides. West kept the pressure on East with strong tackling in East’s 20, which resulted in a knock-on in front of the posts. James Barnes ran a straight line from the back of the scrum, sucking in the East defenders. From the resulting play the ball, Adrian Peel scored next to the post. Another conversion by Goss, 24-8. East immediate responded from the kick-off retrieving the ball and attacking down the right side. Fine interplay between Wagstaffe and Alex Scruton resulted in a score in the corner. Scruton added the extras with a cracking conversation from the touchline. 24-14.

Both sides were now showing signs of fatigue and the game became scrappy; however, there was still time for a couple of memorable moments. Johnny Platt made a long jinking break from the play the ball and was finally stopped 30 metres from the East line. A quick play down the West backs and a clinical timed pass to Kava resulted in the youngster's hat trick. Another kick by Goss 30-14.

With only seconds left on the clock East received the ball again from the restart and attacked down the left. With the hooter just about to sound Wagstaffe made a determined run towards the line and was rewarded with a score. Scruton had the final touch of the game.

Final Score 30-20.