Ravens Defend the Middle Ravens 24 – Caps 20: Report by Peter MacDonald
After two early season losses the Ravens looked like world beaters for the first 20 minutes of this game hopefully bringing a smile to Coach Taylor’s face. Constant possession, long uninterrupted phases of play with quick hands and lots of support led to two tries by the quarter. Wing Cole Keffer scooped up a blocked Caps kick, looked to pass but when a Caps player shot the gap he headed straight north on a hard cut and Joe Locke from Ethan Berry dotted down. A strong run from #10 Andrew Coe put Hamish Janes in at 20 minutes capping the early dominance and bringing the score to 12-0.
One area where the Caps were dominating was the set scrum and throughout the game they probably earned at least six penalties from it. That strength, improved play and a yellow card to Joe Locke brought the Caps back into the game by the half. Scores in the corners by wingers Austin James and Cam Waddell tightened things up, 12-10 Ravens at the half.
Things resumed with Austin James beating his man one on one in the left corner at 46 minutes to finish off more Caps possession and it was 15-12 Caps whose forwards were bringing it both in the sets and the loose. But soon after at a Raven lineout a quick short pass caught the Caps napping and a two man advance down the sideline from front rowers Owen Kokan and Alex Tierney led to a mauled in try shortly after. Within minutes the Ravens struck again with Berry’s draw and give springing Coe and winger Mark Wandeto scoring in the corner, 24-15 Ravens at 54 minutes.
The Caps continued to blow up the Ravens at the sets and put on the pressure in the loose but only had one score left in them as the Ravens defended well and Locke and Lucas Rumball stole ball at key moments. The Caps try came in the right corner at 75 minutes but again the conversion was missed. Each team had four tries, but the home side prevailed in part from scoring two tries closer to the posts.
The Caps lineouts and sets were very strong but the Ravens matched them in open play and defended well at the rucks and mauls forcing the Caps to send it wide in the hunt for points. Raven hooker Jake Tierney had an excellent debut showing off soft hands and a nice chip kick as parts of his bag. At about 6’3” Tierney looks like a lock, plays hook and handles like a back. Also showing his versatility was the Caps’ winger Austin James who had a great day. Coming up through the ranks with the Caps, Canada U20 and the Pride he has typically been a back row forward.
It was a good, evenly matched contest indicating that there appears to be a lot of parity in the league this year. With the win the Ravens surprisingly move to fourth in the standings with the benefit of plenty of bonus points. Next up is the Lomas at Jericho on October 18.