Top Illawarra Colts on display in Grand Final

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The Colts Grand Final on Saturday saw the cream of the IDRU under-twenty players pitted against each other, with Shamrocks emerging victorious by 22 points to 12. Shamrocks Colts were undefeated during the 2013 Season and are to be congratulated. They are worthy Premiers. Vikings colts under the leadership of Coach Adam Tucker and Manager Damian Powell also had a season of which they can be proud. They came close to causing a Grand Final upset, scoring two tries to Shamrocks’ one and having a third try disallowed when the referee ruled a knock-on in the ruck leading up to it. All in all, a hard fought match played in the right spirit and enjoyed by players and spectators alike.

These young men will be seeing a lot of each other in coming years, many who will be in the First Grade teams of their traditional rival clubs. The passion on each side was obvious on Saturday and will no doubt continue into the future. Neither Club would have it any other way. As well as being fierce rivals many will also become good friends, largely through representative rugby. That’s what happens in rugby.

My love of rugby is partly based on the fact that it is a team game where there is a place for a range of body shapes and skills. All were there on Saturday. The front rowers are a breed of their own. Stocky and strong who love competing at the rock face of the scrum. The taller, rangy and agile jumpers in the lineout have their job, winning line-out ball, with the phone number list of their lifters who have the task of getting them up for the ball and hopefully down again safely. There are also the back rowers who tackle all day and fetch and carry at the breakdown where games are won and lost. Then we have the much maligned backs, who forwards claim are just there to make up the numbers. We firstly come to the scrum half whose main job is to develop a long, accurate pass to right and left to get his back line moving. And the mid-field organisers at 10 and 12 who select the run-kick-pass option which puts the game plan into effect. That leaves the outside backs whose pace and running skills put the tries on the board. Amongst all of the above every team needs a reliable kicker who can ensure field position and pick up those 2 and 3 points throughout the game which often account for the difference in scores when the full time whistle blows. This was the big difference in the Colts Grand Final on Saturday. The Shamrocks kicker was outstanding, kicking five from five whilst Vikings could only manage one conversion.

Of all the skills and abilities needed in the various roles outlined above there is only one that is inherent and that is the ability to run fast. The others can be acquired, but not the pace that is often found in wingers and full backs. In musing over what might have been in the Colts Grand Final my thoughts turned to Vikings red-headed full back Tom Campbell. Tom still has much to learn. His defence, handling and ball security leave room for improvement and that will come. What Tom brings to the game however is the speed and determination he exhibits in full flight. He could become a try scoring machine. When Tom learns how to involve himself more in the game and his team-mates learn to develop their scoring strategies around him and speedsters like him we’re going to see some spectacular rugby.

Shamrocks also have a great pool of talent amongst their colts. The try scored by their 13 showed individual brilliance of a high order. The rivalry amongst these young men from two great Illawarra Rugby Clubs is certainly destined to continue.

In the Grand Final Vikings outstanding forward was David Capp, well supported by Sam Wheatley, Xavier Hollis, Blake Tolhurst and the rest of the pack. Amongst the backs, five eighth Jared Constable played strongly as did the Crane brothers Jack and Darcy, who gave their all, as we expect from that family. Full back Tom Campbell and winger Daniel Bunton came up with the tries and Pete Manuella came off the bench to good effect. The injured Rhys Bridges, sitting in the stand was sadly missed. It has been a useful building year for the Blues. I’m looking forward to 2014 already.