23/09/2009
U12 State Representative Report - Southern States Primary Schools Competition
The Under 12 Representative side sponsored by ‘Carline Mufflers’, coached by Chris Killick, Tony Mee, Bel Potter and Shannon Flemming travelled to compete in the Southern States Primary School U12’s Competition in Canberra on 19th and 20th September 2009. Players from seven Rugby Union Clubs throughout South Australia made up the travelling squad of twenty three members. Players were selected following trials held in the North and South of Adelaide, which culminated in a North versus South Final Trial Game at the South Australian Rugby Community Rugby Day on 6th June 2009. Twenty Eight players, including six standby players, then attended six training sessions held at Southern Suburbs Rugby Club & Vikings Rugby Club, training sessions were well attended and involved specific focus on the U19 Law Variations, including ‘lifting’ in the lineout, much to the enjoyment of the forwards in the squad. Training sessions included a ‘scratch’ against an U12’s Barbarians Team, which was selected from all clubs across South Australia, this game enabled Coaches to focus on certain areas in need of development in the final two training sessions before the tournament. Preparations for the tournament were finalised with a pre-trip function at South Australian Rugby Headquarters, where David Atherton of the teams sponsors ‘Carline Mufflers’ was on hand to present each player with their squad shirt, travelling kit and sports bags.
The tournament was staged at Brumbies Training Headquarters in Canberra and South Australia were drawn against New South Wales (NSW) in their first game – the score line of 77-0 suggested a rather one sided game but in reality this was not the case. South Australia were strong in the set piece, in particular the line out where Riley Matthews secured all of his own ball and a few of the oppositions, South Australia’s scrums also held firm throughout the game. Stand out player for South Australia was Braden Schiller who tackled relentlessly throughout the game and made good ground with the ball in hand. Ultimately though NSW were just too strong and well drilled for South Australia to cope with and in the end ran out as convincing winners. The second game of day one saw South Australia take on Australian Central Territories (ACT) eventual winners were ACT 34 – 15 but this was without doubt and superb performance by South Australia. Forwards again took command of the set piece and backs linked well with Captain Michael Marshall taking control of the park with some very clever positional kicks. Stand out player again was Braden Schiller, who took his strong running style of play to ACT and finished the game with an outstanding hat trick of tries. This really was anybodies game, with two points separating the side with ten minutes to go, alas it was not to be for South Australia as ACT ran in three opportunist tries to seal the victory. Day two of the tournament meant the final game for South Australia against Victoria (VIC), again South Australia went down by 51-0 but as in the previous two games put together some great passages of play but were ultimately overwhelmed by a bigger, fitter and more aggressive team.
The tournament was finalised with the presentations to Winners NSW, Runners up VIC, Best Player in tournament and Nest Player in each team. Braden Schiller of South Australia was unanimously nominated by of the opposing coaching teams as best on ground for his team and consequently Braden was rewarded with ‘Brumbies’ sports bag and certificate. South Australian Coaches awarded ‘sponsors towels’ to Best & Fairest Michael Marshall, Best Forward Braden Schiller, Best Back Cameron Green, Most Consistent Dougie Boardman, with the Coaches Award for commitment being given to Vanessa Moana.
All of the twenty three players, four coaches and twenty seven travelling supporters had a great time at a very well run
tournament and represented themselves and South Australian Rugby Union superbly both on and off the field.