NS Silverbacks reliance on phase play and keeping it tight worked towards Global Lions favour. The Silverbacks featuring only 1 speedster limited their options. The size advantage proving key at the contact point, pressured the Silverbacks into mistakes when trying to make the key offload. Lions top their group with 3 wins out of 3.
NNK went with a more forward approach knowing how good the Polis can be in open play. Brandon Grant doing work up route 1 breaking the gain line every time providing for good phase play. With a good attacking platform, Andre Swanepoel went to work picking holes via ball distribution. After a physical contest in an earlier matchup, Polis struggled at the contact point. Muhamad Aqra, the scrumhalf for Polis, was key in the plot to come back. 2 Tries by their Fijian contingents were not enough though.
After 2 games, the debutants of the tournament have acclimatised to the weather and the 10s format and definitely a hit a groove in dismantling the West Coast Sharks #2. David Massey looked very at home directing traffic for Bucks to finish the group with 100% winning record. Another Statistic: Tries against Brimbank Bucks: ZERO!
The Vipers let it loose on KLS to be highest scoring team of the tournament. KLS were able to do a better job in terms of keeping ball at the breakdown but could not hold against a Vipers team wanting to make a statement.
Blackhawks did their homework and ensured Sharks playmaker Ashley Esau’s option were limited in attack. From there it was all Blackhawks attack and the deadliest in open play.
Inch perfect kicking was on display from the restart. Etonia Bosewaqa stood out timely getting under the kicks to either catch or slap back the ball to support runners. Bali enjoyed very limited possession. 83 points was the second highest score of the day.
The Global Lions applied their physicality to full effect here stifling Polis free flow style. Polis did find their way to score a try but the game was decided at the scrums. Be it in defense or attack, Global Lions dominated the scrums. Polis scrum-half Muhammad Aqra was hard-pressed to make good. 2 scrums from the 5-meter line, 2 tries under the posts. Blake Hill, Derrick Soqeta and Eman Ione, take a bow.
NNK stepped up their game ensuring ball recycling was fast and distribution smoother. Wilneth Ronaldo Engelbrecht displayed great skill in choosing the correct running lines and well-timed passes to ensure his speedy receivers get some running space. Silverbacks kept it tight with quick short passes, cut passes and quick offloads from contact. Riley Jacobson putting a lot of work as Ball Carrier. NNK were the more consistent over the 2 halves hence taking the win.
Despite losing, KL Saracens did well to finish their 1st game on a strong note. However, they could not carry that momentum through against the Bucks. KL Saracens could not maintain possession at the Breakdown. High turnover ball, from defense to offense, Bucks who were clinical against the Vipers showed it here again to run up a high score line.
The Sharks trying to build after a good start went up against a Vipers team that looked to rebound after a nervy showing in their own 1st game. Vipers ran hard against a Sharks defensive line and were very aggressive at the Breakdowns. Tevita Latu found his groove with great ball carrying and offloads to create points for the Vipers.