JHGS Vs. Wesley College
By Micheal Fox in Perth
Date: 16th July


Tries: Lovegrove
Con: Lovegrove
Pen:

JHGS:


Subs:

The team get ready for the game

JHGS 7 - Wesley College 7

The second match of the tour was played against the stunning backdrop of the Swan River in Perth. Conditions at kick-off were less than ideal, with rain driving into the faces of the John Hampden XV but this did not dampen the spirit of the team as they sought to make amends for the loss in Hong Kong. The hosts Wesley College kicked off and it was immediately clear that the weather would prevent either side from playing the attractive brand of rugby that had been anticipated. The opening exchanges were messy and both sides struggled to retain the ball and gain continuity of possession.

 

John Hampden were extremely unlucky to concede the first try of the game when a loose ball from a lineout on the 22 was hacked forward and stopped dead in a puddle on the try line which a Wesley player took full advantage of. This try was converted very well considering the poor conditions. Sustained pressure from Wesley was valiantly rebuked by the John Hampden pack with smashing collisions from all the boys. Notably George Mills and Bradley Embury showed their increased physical presence in the contact area. The next 20 minutes was marred as a spectacle by some of the worst weather conditions for playing rugby in. The referee’s whistle was the dominant force in passages of play, with boys dropping the ball when under no pressure. The highlight of the first half therefore the

 

defence on both teams and their willingness to enter any contact with little fear for their safety. A special thank you must go to all the spectators for braving the conditions and to Tompkins Park for hosting the event. Many clubs would have called the game off but everyone was prepared to do what ever it took for the game to take place. The half time team talk revolved around the coaching staff and the new captain Jonathan Wolfe, concentrating on the break down and rucking position in order for John Hampden to control the ball. Thankfully players like James Frost, George Coombes, Zac Walton and Andy Wilkes were determined to secure tighter ball and John Hampden duly found themselves in more attacking positions in the second half. Toby Parkes and Josh Thompson began to control the game and intelligent kicking led to good field position. Unfortunately a heavy contact situation led to James Barker dislocating his elbow and he will play no further part on the tour. This is disappointing for the whole tour party as James is an important part of the squad. However he can rest easy in the knowledge that his muscles prevented an easy relocation of his elbow and therefore he is obviously double hard! – he is very well now though. The move of the game resulted in John Hampden’s equalising score. The much-improved Jack Wrenn launched a 60-yard kick that the backs followed up, quick ruck ball allowed Dan Lovegrove to sneak round the blind side and score. The important conversion was ‘floated’ over by Lovegrove and the game was tied. Despite the best efforts of Saed, Smith, Cassidy and Hall JHGS couldn’t capitalise and a fitting draw was the end result. Well done to the boys for coping with the extreme conditions and the physical encounter.