22^nd July 2015

 

Coopers Coborn vs Morrinsville

(Match Report by Russell Draper 1^st XV Captain)

 

A high kick from Coopers to start the game that leads to a large period of sustained possession from Morrinsville. The first few minutes visibly dominated by the hosts. A series of mistakes at the breakdown from the New Zealand team however gives Coopers the opportunity for the turnover and a chance at attacking in their opponent’s upper half. A successful maul creates valuable yards from a great throw in from the Mr Couchman- the first line out for coopers. A turnover means that the score is still 0-0. Back to back penalties allow Morrinsville to move further up the field and reclaim the ground lost from earlier play. Finlay with a great steal from the back of a scrum means that Coopers once again have possession. Successful ball carrying from Alfie Studd puts the visitors in the opposing 22 for another chance to put points on the board. Good driving in a scrum from Coopers but the turnover doesn't last long because the ball is fumbled and the substitute Owain Batley lands a risky dive to feed the ball into George Dalys hands where it is played out to the right wing with Liam Batty and after some great link up play between him and Zac Levin he has the opportunity place the ball down whilst under some pressure from the opponents and manages to claim the try. Tom Morgan converts for the 2.

 

7-0 COOPERS.

 

A penalty to Coopers shortly after the restart puts Morrinsville on the back foot once again and located in their 22 however the line out was well competed and possession was turned over. Referee blows to signal the end of the first half.

 

FIRST HALF SCORE 

COOPERS 7-0 MORRINSVILLE

 

Coopers very close to scoring after a technical kick from the Meads early on and Zac Levin a fingertip away from enhancing the Coopers lead. Scrum to Morrinsville on their own 5 metre successfully won and a clearance kick takes play to the half way line. An overthrow from Coopers at the line out but picked up by Dominic Brabham Neil at the back after competition from an opposing back row player. Play at this point early on in the first half is constant start and stopping with several line outs and scrums in recent minutes which coopers have seemed to be struggling with although great defence in the centre field makes it difficult for the Morrinsville backs to break through. A Coopers kick is returned by a kick again and sees Morrinsville come agonisingly close to scoring a try of their own after a chase down from their centre in the opening minutes of the second half. Play still seems to lack any real fluency for both teams along with the gradual increase in amount of penalties being given away needlessly. An elongated period of possession for Morrinsville motivates the crowd but does not faze the Coopers team as no ground is made. A turnover and kick from Tom Morgan leads to another very close chase down and Coopers once again seem eager to change the scoreboard but the ball is touched down by a the Morrinsville full back. Coopers stay in the opposing 22 for some time but play soon makes its way back down the field and coopers soon see themself defending after the winger carries it some way down the left side of the pitch and after a lucky kick through, the Morrinsville outside centre can pick it up and place it down to bring it to 7-5 and the try is converted.

 

COOPERS 7-7 MORRINSVILLE.

 

The game is once again under way and Morrinsville seem to have possession for some time but relentless competition at the breakdown from the Coopers forwards means that they can't get any clean ball and play is maintained in the mid field. Morrinsville try to keep the pressure on down the left side of the field as coopers control the right side and central field with fast line speed and impenetrable defence in these areas. A kick into the Morrinsville 22 leads to a panic kick from the 10 who fails to clear and Zac Levin seizes the opportunity by pulling off a volley that makes its way into the try zone and a successful chase means that Coopers are once again in the lead. But a difficult angle means that the try can't be converted.

 

COOPERS 12-7 MORRINSVILLE 

 

The game at the moment seems to be largely consisting of kick after kick and the constant pressure from both teams leads to several mistakes so scrums once again take up the majority of play. A victorious scrum from Coopers seems to lead to a try scoring opportunity but a rapid turn over after poor support means that the Morrinsville winger can open his legs in the vacant left side of the pitch who then kicks and another convenient bounce puts more points on the board for Morrinsville after the try is scored and converted which sees Morrinsville in control of the game for the first time. End to end stuff.

 

COOPERS 12- 14 MORRINSVILLE.

 

Coopers again with the restart and tired legs can tell us it is late on in the second half - 6 minutes to go until the final whistle. Coopers desperately trying to get the points to win, play is suspended in the opposing quarter. Possession is Coopers for several minutes until a pass is mistimed and the ball is picked up by one of the Morrinsville players and a large headstart makes it too difficult for even the fastest of the Coopers players to catch up- a lucky breakthrough and the signal of the arguably "well- earned" victory for the  New Zealand side. The try is converted.

 

COOPERS 12-21 MORRINSVILLE

 

The final whistle blows shortly after the restart.

 

FINAL SCORE

COOPERS 12-21 MORRINSVILLE