Preparation for this week’s game against Endeavour Hills hit an early speed hump with three late withdrawals, leaving the team with just 7 players but in the true spirit of rugby Endeavour Hills gladly agreed to play seven aside over four quarters – albeit a tough ask for the team given that even international sevens stars would struggle to play what would effectively be back to back games. But what was to come was a fantastic display of team work interspersed with some individual brilliance.
The team was quick out of the blocks with tries to Armani and Antonio directly from kick offs, and a conversion added to lead 12 – 0 at the first break.
The second quarter saw some great inter-passing between the players and great support play from Billy almost saw him adding to the team’s tally. As it was a couple of great runs from Jacko and Norma-Jean lead to tries to Mitchell and Antonio and a great conversion from wide out saw the lead stretched to 26 – 0 at half time.
With such great passing, support play and tackling there was little to say other than get a drink and get your breath back.
The third quarter was a continuation with fantastic drawing and passing seeing Jono cross for a try great plus outstanding defense from Armani and Norma-Jean to drop their big forwards and Antonio stopping a certain try on the goal line.
With the energy levels understandably waning in the fourth quarter Endeavour Hills scored two converted tries to bring the final score back to 45 – 14 but nothing could detract from an outstanding effort from our Kiwi Hawthorn under 11s, who barely made a mistake the whole game and delivered their stand out performance of the season – well done to all the team.
Congratulations to Jono for his player of the day award and Antonio who received Endeavour Hill’s special recognition award.
Kiwi Hawthorn Junior Rugby 