Ravens Fortunate To Win: Ravens 24 – Pacific Pride 17
by Peter MacDonald
A tough game against the Pride went the Ravens way at the end but the Pride gained big respect for taking the game to the Ravens all day long. With the score tied 17-17, and five minutes left, the Ravens fullback Aaron McLelland was served up a room service high clearing kick which he fielded centrally 35 metres out from the Pride line. Moving right and scanning things he made a gap and it was sayonara as he took a direct line at top speed to score the winning try. The Pride could have tied it up three minutes later but for a saving tackle by fly half Jesper Mellish so the Ravens ran out winners in a game that the Pride controlled for much of the day.
The first 10 minutes were even and intense with high level rugby and hard hits everywhere. The Pride struck first with an interception of a McLelland long pass and took a 7-0 lead. From there the Pride had the ball and ran their offence almost continuously. The Ravens, when they had the ball, were stifled by their knock ons, their failure to win lineouts consistently and their inability to turn over Pride ball at the breakdowns. That meant the Ravens were tackling all day long and they did it very well. So well, that when McLelland took a quick tap from a penalty 10 metres out and scored at the first half whistle the Ravens went into the half tied 7-7 despite their lack of possession.
The second half scoring began with a good carry by Pride lock Alistair Bruce which preceded a penalty kick well struck by flyhalf Max Stewart at 47 minutes, 10-7 Pride. But the Ravens began to show superiority in the sets and drew penalties from them at 55 and 65 minutes. The first was kicked to touch and while being mauled in from the lineout the Pride infringed and a penalty try was awarded. The second was slotted by Mellish for a 17-10 lead. But minutes later it was tied again as the Pride prop Dan Cooper took a quick tap and powered in, 17-17 at 68 minutes, setting up the final minutes noted already.
The Pride played at a high tempo throughout, retained possession very well and handled well despite the rain. Often their ruck ball was passed to a first receiving forward who, rather than take it on himself, passed to the next man running hard off of him, allowing the first receiver to be the first to clear out at the contact point or accept a pass on a break. And generally the Pride cleared out effectively so their periods of possession were long and trying for the Ravens to defend. It was a credit to the Ravens defence that they held them to one try per half. Number 8 Calum Botchar, #7 Cody Nhanala and #2 Owen Lavado impressed in the forwards and #10 Stewart and fullback Oliver MacKenzie stood out in the backs.
The Ravens tacklers were led by flankers Matt Chan and Simone Etheve, who had to come off after a he made a hard tackle at 35 minutes. Also prominent in the defending were David ODonoghue, Trevor Helgason, Chris Taylor, McLelland and Mellish. Taylors arrival as a replacement prop coincided with the Raven scrum dominance but he unfortunately will be hanging up his boots for good after next weeks game in Victoria against CW. Im told it will be his benefit match and arrangements are being made to see him off with some dollars in his pocket or some other tangible benefits. Best of luck in the future Chris.
Phil Mack, Hubert Buydens and co have the Pride guys playing enthusiastic, good rugby. They made full substitutions as the second half wore on and the quality of the Pride play remained high. The Ravens, after waiting through 4 bye weeks out of five weekends, are being tested again next week with CW on deck and then playoffs. These tough tests are bringing up their game so well see where it goes from here.
Photos by Alistair Palmer
Ravens Hooker Jesse Mackail going route one
Ravens Aaron McLelland in open field with winger Sean Hase outside
Ravens #5 Trevor Helgason securing lineout ball
Pride #8 Calum Botchar getting read to bosh
