Match Report: Saturday 29th October 2005

LSA vs Barking Development

LSA run in 7 tries in demolition of Barking Development

London South Africa’s Canterbury Shield campaign got back on track on Saturday at Imber Court. The game presented an important opportunity for LSA to prove that they hadn’t lost the winning habit and that they would continue amongst the pacesetters in the Canterbury Shield.

With the game only minutes old Bruce McCleland won the first of what was to be a succession of lineouts on a Barking throw. John Turner, back from injury and starting a game at scrum half for the first time in years, was quickly into his stride providing good service for Matt Fendick, himself making his debut at 10 for LSA.

In the early phases of play LSA kept the ball well. The continual pressure on the opposition led to LSA being awarded three successive penalties, gaining more territory with each Barking infringement. The pack was firing on all cylinders and drove the Barking tight five off the ball, winning the put in. The resulting scrum was the platform for the LSA backs to strike. They cut through the Barking defence and the ball was taken on by Aldo du Plessis - from the ensuing ruck the ball came back for Ryan Williamson to drive over in the corner.

Barking came back strongly and after 15 minutes converted a penalty awarded against LSA for not retreating the full 10 metres at an earlier infringement. In spite of this, LSA were working hard to establish their dominance on the game. Their cause though wasn’t helped on 20 minutes when Aldo du Plessis was sent for a spell in the sin bin for failing to use his arms in a tackle. Tom Modinger replaced Jake Hoddinot to cover.

Despite being down to 14 men, LSA’s forwards showed some good work to get themselves from their own 22 into the Barking half, rounded off with an excellent kick for field position by John Turner. Good work at the rucks by Williamson, McCleland and Modinger created quality possession for the backs. LSA kept the pressure on and a great drive by the forwards from a lineout set up a good platform for LSA. The backs and forwards linked well and from 5 yards out LSA debutant John Konyn surged over the line to make the score 10-3.

LSA were gaining more momentum but were at times overeager to clear away Barking bodies slowing down good possession. One such transgression cost William Bussell a trip to the sin bin on 35 minutes, reducing the team to 14 again before half time.

Going into the second half, Justin Venter was replaced by Dave Blackburn – the third LSA debut of the afternoon. Mark Otto had arrived in time to replace William Bussell at openside straight from his spell in the sin bin on 45 minutes. LSA’s bright start to the half was rewarded with a penalty 10 metres out. Skipper Ryan Hendrikz took the quick tap and bulldozed over to score his third try of the season. Matt Fendick converted to stretch the LSA lead to 17-3.

Hendrikz was clearly enjoying his afternoon and on 55 minutes he produced a good drive upfield. Some quick recycling of possession set up a score for new boy Dave Blackburn. LSA were now cruising at 22-3 with 25 minutes still to play.

Another injury to a Barking player left them one man short and, showing true sportsmanship, Modinger offered to play for the Barking side to keep the contest alive.

From the restart LSA camped in the Barking half. A good scrum saw the ball spread wide with the assured Matt Fendick combining well with Nick Osman in another attack. The impressive Nick de Kock was also instrumental in many of the LSA moves and was a constant threat with ball in hand. Mark Otto’s fresh legs and turn of pace were adding to Barking’s problems as he popped up everywhere in support of the relentless LSA attacks. It was only a matter of time before LSA scored again and this time it was quick ball from a ruck sent wide through Nick Osman and Dave Blackburn for Nick de Kock to go over and complete a difficult score in the corner.

On 60 minutes LSA introduced another new face in the form of Roland Suttie, on for John Turner. A rampaging run by Hendrikz, linking with Konyn led to LSA gaining good field position from which a penalty was awarded against Barking for offside. Some good play later and a good kick through the Barking defence by Carl van der Walt set up a try for Nick Osman when he surprisingly beat the last defender to touch down for LSA, putting LSA 32-3 up.

On 69 minutes Justin Venter came back on for Nick de Kock at fullback, and made a good run out of defence to take play up to halfway. With Blackburn in support the ball came back inside to Osman and on to Mark Otto, who scored under the posts dropkicking the extra two points himself.

In the final period of the game some of the momentum was inevitably lost with a flurry of substitutions. Chris Assad joined the fray initially on the wing and then moving to centre switching with Carl van der Walt and Andrew Midgeley coming on for a spell on the wing. William Bussell also rejoined the match replacing John Konyn after his impressive debut.

A display of controlled attacking rugby had ensured that LSA ran out winners 39-3.

Starting XV

James Saunders, Ryan Hendrikz, Aldo du Plessis, Bruce McCleland, Ryan Williamson, Jake Hoddinot, William Bussell, John Konyn, John Turner, Matt Fendick, Nick Osman, Carl van der Walt, Justin Venter, Bevan Williams, Nick de Kock

Substitutes

Tom Modinger, Mark Otto, Dave Blackburn, Chris Assad, Roland Suttie, Andrew Midgeley