Trinity 2015 Japan Rugby Tour: Match Report and Photo's: Game 4 verus Kwansei Gakuin High School

Match report v Kwansei Gakuin

1st XV

The final fixture of Tour was against Prefecture Champions, Kwansei Gakuin. Given the relatively quick turn around from the game against Kobe SciTech HS, it was no surprise the Trinity 1st XV were slow starters. Kwansei Gakuin played an extremely high tempo brand of rugby that required adjustments by the Trinity players and coaches. A nicely worked play down the short side saw Kwansei Gakuin open the scoring early. Two further Kwansei Gakuin tries followed quickly off the back of Trinity mistakes. Within 15 minutes Kwansei Gakuin were leading 0-19. With plenty of time left, the 1st XV regrouped and went to work on executing their pre-game focus areas. Remaining square in contact, holding their defensive shape and metres gained after contact were areas of focus that began to pay dividends the longer the game went on. The new centre pairing payed off with Harry McLennan crashing over on a second effort from 20 metres out and Jordan Morris cutting the line from 50 metres out and having the legs to cross for Trinity's second try. Halftime Trinity 14 Kwansei Gakuin 19.

The second half started well with Lachlan Ilias using good footwork to beat three or four defenders and put Trinity in front for the first time in the game. A territorial kicking game ensued with Ryan Longville doing superbly well to release the pressure when needed. Cooper chambers had his best game on Tour supplying great service and getting himself into the backfield with sniping runs from half back. John Bechara broke the line to create front foot ball, while Charlie Howard worked hard to pressure the Kwansei Gakuin first receiver. A penalty from in front put the margin out to five before James Wayland crashed over to extend Trinity's lead to 12. A late try from Kwansei Gakuin with five minutes left made for a tense final to a tightly contested game. Full time Trinity 31 Kwansei Gakuin 24.

2nd XV

The second game against Kwansei Gakuin pull prove to be a difficult encounter. It demonstrated the need for the continual development of the Trinity 2nd XV, to ensure inter squad competition and holistic development. It was clear from the outset that a contributing factor to Kwansei Gakuin's success in the prefecture championship was due to the competitive nature of their 2nd XV. In a game that Trinity struggled to match the speed and agility of their Japanese opponents, many positives came out of the fixture. Defensively, the 2nd XV struggled in one on one contact, however the defensive system and shape was pleasing. Our attack in close was pleasing with Avery Freeman scoring a great try, receiving the ball at depth before putting some useful footwork on before contact.

The scramble and cover defence of Paul Orphanides and Scott Seeto, once again was outstanding. On more than one occasion Paul and Scott would make try saving tackles in cover. Paddy Venables and Paddy Harris worked hard all game, whilst James Makarkis and James Haddad made outstaning line breaks but were unable to cross the paint and score. Final score Trinity 7 Kwansei Gakuin 86

Final Results:

1st XV Trinity Grammar School 31 Kwansei Gakuin 24

Tries: Ilias, McLennan, Morris, Wayland

Con: Longville (4)

Pen: Longville

2nd XV Trinity Grammar School 7 Kwansei Gakuin 86

Tries: Freeman

Con: Karvountzis