The TAS First XV retains top spot in the GPS Third Grade competition, following a 25-0 win over Newington College Third XV at TAS on Saturday 18 June.
Ten minutes into the game, Edward Pitt put the first points on the board for the hosts, kicking a penalty. He soon after converted a try by Wally Davidson taking the score to 10-0 at half time. In the second stanza Harrison Jackson crossed the line again for the hosts, and while unable to convert it, Pitt then added another try to his tally for the day and a solid victory for TAS.
“The game plan was to play field position in the first half and kick to the corners which we did but our discipline let us down a bit,” coach Alex Smith said.
“However constant pressure meant we could score points in the second half, so that’s what we did.”
Undefeated so far this season, the team’s win was bitter sweet, being an emotional final game as coach for Smith who leaves TAS for a school in Victoria at the end of term.
“Twelve of the boys I coached in the fifteens and sixteens and a lot of them I had last year and toured to New Zealand, so it was pretty special day on the paddock,” he said.
The final home game for TAS will be held on 23 July against Shore School from Sydney, before two away games, in Sydney to round out the competition.
Edward Pitt scores the first of his two tries and also kicked a conversion and a penalty for TAS in its 25-0 win over Newington Thirds on 18 June
Ref Ian McMaster of Cassilis holds a scrum in the match between TAS and Newington College in Round 5 of the GPS Third Grade competition played in Armidale
Departing coach Alex Smith is thanked by Opens player Nick Rogers after Saturday’s match
