THE GREAT ESCAPE

By John Davaine

In what is possibly the greatest ever comeback in the Club’s 120 year history, Mosman Rugby completed a truly Lazarus like revival in overcoming a 24 – Nil deficit to run out triumphant 26-24 victors over a spirited Old Ignatians side at Rawson Oval last Saturday.

With both sides looking to wright their fast sinking seasons, the match started at a frenetic pace. Settling into their rhythm first, Old Ignatians clearly had Mosman on the ropes. An inept scrum made it impossible for the Whales to prevent the visitors from laying on four tries, to build what appeared to be an unassailable lead.

Seeing their charges teetering on the precipice of disaster, Mosman’s coaches were eerily calm in delivering their half time address. “We could see that our defensive alignment was all wrong and this need to be addressed” explained Coach Mike Bigwood. “We also needed to be a lot more aggressive at the breakdown in order to compete on the score board” said Bigwood.

After making a remarkably unspectacular debut in the Whales debacle against Campbelltown last week, the selector’s faith in laconic rookie Fly Half, Seb Beilby started paying dividends. Some classic backline execution saw Centre, Chris Polin cross for two tries, improving the scoreline to 24-14.

However, it was the injection of elephantine Prop Stu Wilson into the game that proved to be the turning point in the match. The Whales scrum now enjoyed total domination, allowing Beilby the required time to unleash the potent Whales backline.

A further try to Fullback Anthony O’Gorman saw Mosman on the brink of a boil over before Beilby capped a fine match by scoring the decider under the posts to seal “the great escape”.

Mosman’s skipper, Pete Shirvington was elated with the result. “Hopefully, this result will turn our season around. We have a long way to go but today, we really showed what we can do” said Shirvington.

Wins by the Club’s Colts and 2nd Grade sides sees both teams looking for Minor Premiership honours, whilst both U/85kgs and Halligan cup sides enter July undefeated for the season. The Club travels to Drummoyne next week before enjoying a weeks break and will take on St Patricks at Rawson on July 18.