RNRL State Of Origin XIII

After a welcome to the pitch by the RAF Band playing Hearts of Oak the much anticipated match kicked off on time at 1730. The format of the game was agreed by both coaches that it would be squads of 21 with unlimited interchanges to give everyone the chance to experience the Headingley atmosphere as well as showcase themselves ahead of selection for Septembers Inter Services squads. The Easts had the first spell of pressure and pushed for the early score and on the back of a penalty they were 20 metres out from the West line. Initially the ball went infield but a change of direction by stand-off Mark Robinson got the ball out the Easts right and second row James Shaw marked his RNRL debut by crashing over halfway between posts and corner flag, the try was unconverted so after 7 minutes the Blues had the early advantage 4:0. The match settled down after this early score and the next twenty minutes or so showed much hard work by the Wests to get back into the game but Easts defence held up well to prevent the breakthrough. The next score came to the Maroons eventually after some sustained pressure, a break out on the right by Ellis Lacy looked to have broken the defence and when Dave Fairbrother took a difficult pass it seemed a certain try however Blues cover came back, Biko Satala pulling down the big RM second row down five metres out . It was only a delay to the inevitable though Fijian Buinimasi took the ball at first receiver and whilst the Easts defence were trying to get back onside he went over close to the posts to even the scores. Sam Carter put the Wests ahead with a straight forward conversion to give his side two point lead. The Wests then continued to press for further scores as they began to dominate the game especially in the pack, all six members having played in last year’s Inter services but the Easts defence put in a great shift to hold their line. The next score however did go to the Wests and again good movement on their right saw the ball reach Dave Fairbrother again and this time he was not to be stopped, crossing under the posts to give Carter his second conversion of the day. This score pushed the Wests out to a 12-4 lead which they held to the halftime break, looking strong and ready to go on and win the game. This was reinforced after the break, the Wests taking the initiative again pushing to increase their lead. The score came through more good movement from the pack, ball finally coming to prop Matt Corrigan who took three defenders over with him to mark his last Origin Match with a well deserved try. Sam Carters third conversion of the day now gave the Maroons a commanding 18 -4 lead. The game now was showing signs of taking off with a lot of big hits coming in from both sides keeping both ref Phil Rigby and Physio Gemma Waugh busy as the game moved on. The early score from the Maroons had sparked the Easts into life and they now began to make inroads into the Wests defence however instead of trying to batter their way through midfield they used the wingmen to great effect. The first response came on 54 minutes, Ratu Kurasasa sprinted down his touchline releasing Kitione Kamikamica with the inside ball who used his strength to get through the Wests defence for the try. A good conversion from Biko Satala brought the scores to 18:16 with 20 minutes to go. The final quarter was probably the best period of the game which was much appreciated by the gathering Headingley crowd inside the ground for the Rhino’s v Hull KR match. Five minutes after Kamikamika’s try the Easts were in again and once again the wingers lead the way. Great play in their own half set the Blues on their way, Emeri Ratukoko took on the Wests defence inside the own half before a great inside pass gave Richard Binns the chance to go for the line, this he did brilliantly and had the presence of mind to go for the posts to make the conversion easier. Satala converted again to bring the scores within two. To complete a famous comeback the Easts were over again barely five minutes later the Blues scored again to take the lead for the first time in 40 minutes of play. Good approach work by the Blues pinned the Wests on their own try line and hooker Marika Tuinabunawa burrowed his way over for a try on his Origin Debut, once again Satala was on target with the conversion to give his side a 22-18 lead. The Blues were now well and truly in charge now and almost from the kick off after getting possession back from the Wests the Easts scored again, this time Satala got the try the big full back showing good speed and strength to touchdown close to the post to make his own conversion as easy as possible. This converted try now had the Blues ahead by 10 points as the game moved into the last ten minutes rounding off a remarkable comeback or did it! The Wests could see the game slipping away but gathered themselves again and got themselves deep into Blues territory, with the Easts defence on their goal line Silivenusi Buinimasi used his strength to push his way over from close range to close the scores again, Sam carter nailed his most difficult kick of the game to bring his side back within 4 points as the clock ran down. The comeback for the Maroons however was not to be, from the kick off Craig Sutton attempted to trap the ball with his feet but it bounced forward and one of his team mates picked it up effectively from an offside position. The Blues ran the penalty and the ball went from left to right across the Maroons defence until Kamikamica got the ball and crossed for his second of the match. Despite the conversion being missed the Blues now had an eight point lead which was not threatened again and after a breathless last quarter the Blues ran out winners 32:24 to retain the Origin Trophy.

The Blues coaching team of Chris Reeves, Steve Penberthy and Wata Robanakavadu were delighted with their first win as the coaching team whilst Lewis Taylor and Jason Gemmill for the Wests were equally as disappointed to have lost on the day. Man Of The Match Awards were given to Manoa Satala for the Est s an Tommy Wilkinson for The Wests who had a great game at loose forward marking his return to the game after nearly 12 months out through injury and operational reasons. The trophies were presented during the half time break of the Rhino’s match, RNRL President Cdre Alex Burton presenting Satala with his award whilst Rear Admiral Chris Parry former RNRL president gave Tommy Wilkinson his award. The Origin Trophy was presented to winning skipper Kev Botwood and the players left the pitch to another massive round of applause from the Headingley faithful around the ground especially in the South stand.

All players deserve a lot of praise for their efforts in a very hot Headingley as do the Officials from the CSRLRS Phil Rigby (Ref) and TJ Pete Smith and Mickey Brighton, not forgetting of course Gemma Waugh who did a great job as Physio for both sides.

All involved with the day events were thanked by Rhino’s Chief Exec Gary Hetherington at the post match reception and called on the other 250 or so guests to thank the players for their efforts and to show their appreciation for all three of the Armed Forces.

Wests: Steve Riley, Silivenusi Buinimasi, Ellis Lacy, Tom Loxam, Shaun Houghton, Sam Carter, Tom Marchant, Richie Metcalfe (C), John Sharp, Matt Corrigan, Nathan Lee, Ben Taylor, Tommy Wilkinson Interchanges: Jonny Platt, Dave Fairbrother, Paul Mortensen, Colin Chapman, Paul Saberton
Jono Bethwaite, Craig Sutton, Colin Campbell
Scorers T Buinimasi (2), Fairbrother, Corrigan,
G Carter(4 Conv)

Easts: Manoa Satala, Richard Binns, Emeri Ratucoko, Kitione Kamikamica, Ratu Kurasasa, Mark Robinson, Jimmy Elliott, Matt Parrott, Marika Tuinabunawa , James Shaw, Andy Parrot, Gareth Cadmore, Kev Botwood (C) Interchanges: Ian Cooper, Bill Tarogi, Joe Nakavulevu, Luke Savage, Josh Tora, Danny Johnson Jr, John Woods, Lavs Lavelawa, Connor O’Connell
Scorers T Kamicamika (2), Shaw, Binns, Tuinabunawa, Satala
G Satala (4 Conv)