The NSW Waratahs ‘A’s bravely fended off a late charge by the Brumbies Runners to end up 45-38 winners in their clash at Bruce in the ACT today.
In hot conditions, the NSW Waratahs ‘A’s scored seven tries to six by the Brumbies Runners to win the game that was held at Brumbies HQ in the suburb of Bruce.
NSW Waratahs ‘A’s Coach Shannon Fraser said the match was the ideal tonic for a team made up of players from the senior NSW Waratahs squad who needed game time and a number of NSW Waratahs Academy players who relished the challenge.
“It was good for match fitness and good for the boys to be around some of the older boys and see how they do things,” Fraser said afterwards.
"I thought across the game everyone made some impact.''
Fraser lauded the performance of captain and flyhalf Lawson Creighton for his leadership and individual game.
Creighton directed play well, scored one try and was successful with five of seven conversion attempts.
"Lawson built his performance well through the game," Fraser said.
"He challenged the line well at times and pushed the ball to space nicely when needed.
"His communication was on point and he led the boys well."
The Brumbies Runners got the early ascendency when flanker Jack Condon scored in the ninth minute to put them 5-0 up after the conversion by winger Kye Oates missed.
But once they got possession, the NSW Waratahs ‘A’s took control. Left flanker Leafi Talataina’s try about 10 minutes later left the visitors 7-5 up with the conversion Creighton.
The Brumbies Runners responded with winger Kye Oates scoring a try he converted to take the lead back with a 12-7 scoreline. But Creighton’s converted five-pointer soon after put the NSW Waratahs ‘A’s back in front with the score at 14-12.
The lead rose to 19-12 just before the break when outside centre Liam Grover, one of several NSW Waratahs Academy members playing, scored his first of two tries.
After the break, the NSW Waratahs ‘A’s did not waste time. They scored two early tries.
One try was by half-back Teddy Wilson and another by Grover who fended off two Brumbies Runners defenders to cross over the line. Both were converted by Creighton.
This left the NSW Waratahs ‘A’s leading 33-12 with approximately 35 minutes to go.
They were looking in control too; that is, until their hosts rallied with two tries – by outside centre Kadin Pritchard and another by flanker Jono Ryan – to be 33-24 down.
The NSW Waratahs ‘A’s may have managed to stay in front until full-time, but they still had to fight for the win as the Brumbies Runners came within two points of the lead.
Winger Triston Reilly’s converted try appeared to keep the NSW Waratahs ‘A’s lead in safe housing as it extended the scoreline to read 40-24, but ‘safe’ their lead was certainly not.
Converted tries by hooker Chris Mikkelson and winger Nate Carroll drew the Brumbies Runners within a shot of a come-from-behind victory with the score at 40-38.
But then winger Brendan Palmer, another NSW Waratahs Academy player, scored his unconverted five-pointer to secure his side’s win with the full-time score of 45-38.
Tries:
Leafi Talataina, Lawson Creighton, Liam Grover (2), Teddy Wilson, Triston Reilly, Brendan Palmer
Conversions:
Lawson Creighton (5/7)
Tries:
Jack Condon, Kye Oates, Kadin Pritchard, Jono Ryan, Chris Mikkelson, Nate Carroll
Conversions:
Kye Oates 4/6
