Junior Firsts Triumph over Cranbrook

Don Millard 06/30/2009

Barker 23 v Cranbrook 5

The Junior School First XV team have had a strong season with a Round 1 win over Knox and a strong Queensland Tour (2 wins and 1 loss).

Taylor Field was slippery and muddy from the recent rain, just as the boys like it. Every week they take the field with steely resolve after the pre-match prep session with Mr Kelynack and Mr Shackleton, but this week they got a double dose. The presence of a number of the Senior School First XV helped psych the team up in the dressing-sheds and formed the run-on tunnel. The kick-off was followed by the “When the Reds go marching in” by Senior School First XV on the sidelines, very impressive stuff, especially as they supported their younger colleagues for the whole match.

The game was hard fought in difficult conditions and the boys showed excellent ball handling skills to retain possession for long periods. Barker scored early and held the momentum through the first half. The boys showed speed, strength and commitment on the field. In the second half, Cranbrook scored early, with rugged Barker defence denying every other attempt. Barker was held-up over the line a number of times late in the second half but eventually ran out comfortable and deserving winners.

In all it was a strong team effort and the boys are to be congratulated for their sportsmanship.

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