Highland at home

Grimsby Gentlemen 13: Highland 14

Referee: Eric Ciezar

Weather: Clear sunny day, a bit warm (28 degrees but felt like 38 degrees)

Attendance: Jamie, Kalie, Bubbles and family returned from down under, Jim Levens visited a few of his former players. About 500 in total for a hot day.

Presidents Report: Highland came down with about 20 players to play a second game in Hamilton at noon and a first game in Grimsby at 3. It was a hot, energy sucking day and the players felt it. The chance was there to defeat the best team in the league but we came up short again at the last minute. After about 25 minutes Highland scored first and converted. At 32 minutes some good offloading and rucking kept the ball alive and gave Bob M. a run down the side line to score but the kick after hit the upright.

Half time score: Grimsby 5: Highland 7

At about 46 minutes Derrick W. hit a long 40 m penalty and then with 10 minutes left, Mike S scored to put Grimsby up 6 as the convert was missed. Unfortunately, with 5 minutes left we couldn't get out of our end and Highland scored and converted.

Final Score Grimsby 13: Highland 14

As president, I would like to get a team picture, but no one shows up in time to take it at the beginning and I forget at the end.

Team: Mark Hall, Andy Breuls, Jon Millington, Jeremy Young, Bob Mavro, Kyle Wilson, Joel Leonard, Vic Blaney, Jon Jeske, Derrick Weber, Jamie Scully, Mike Stuart, Alex Stevenson, Alex Millar, Frank Shille

Sub: Ross McBride came on for Alex M at about 15 min and moved to flanker with
Bob M on the wing.

The sprinklers were a great hit.

Coaches Comments:

An energy sapping day but most of Highland had already played a game and we need to be in good enough shape to play in the heat. Scrums looked better and we did well in the lineouts. We played as well, but they took the ball on the burst and gave us problems in the backs with our tackling.

From under the Willow:

Good game, both teams played well but Highland had better field position most of the game and could not finish.

Could have won but not should have won.

Good game against the best team in the league.

Waterloo (a close second in the Jones division) plays their seconds (Cambridge) in the NRU A and their thirds in the Jones because they consider this division more difficult. We play Cambridge next week at home.

Coaches Man of the Match: Vic Blaney

Their pick as Man of the Match: Vic Blaney (who had left) then Mike Stuart who cannot drink as proven last week.

We picked their fullback.