FARRER got everything it wanted out of yesterday’s game against league powerhouse St Gregory’s Campbelltown – everything except a win.
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The Sydney school, which has produced a long list of elite players such as Chris Lawrence, Jason Taylor, Ryan Hoffman and Trent Barrett, is still one of the strongest in NSW and showed that in a 28-12 win at Farrer’s Simpson Oval.
St Greg’s dominated the opening stages and raced to a 16-nil lead on the back of three tries.
It then held that advantage until halftime.
After the break Farrer came back refreshed and capitalised on a mistake from the kickoff.
After gaining a line dropout and threatening the line, winger Will Gooch scooted from dummy half and got the ball down to cut the deficit to 10.
But a glut of possession thanks to a number of penalties allowed St Greg’s in again and it was 22-6.
Farrer capitalised on a penalty close to the line at the other end following a break from Amith Kumar.
Kurt Aldridge caught the defence out with a quick tap and scored almost untouched.
He then slotted the conversion to make it 22-12.
But once again St Greg’s showed its strength on the edges and came up with the final try of the match.
The size and speed of the St Greg’s side had Farrer on the back foot for much of the match, but the game will help the green and golds prepare for their schoolboy season coming up.
“It was exactly what we wanted, a good, tough hit-out,” Farrer coach Damian Kenniff said.
“We learned a few hard lessons in the first half.
“They were hard lessons but we wanted to know where we are.
“St Greg’s are a good side and that’s what we wanted.”
While the Sydney boys were a little bit too strong for Farrer there were some good signs for the home team.
Even though it gave up a lot of size the pack worked hard, led by the likes of Ben Allen, Jake Cocking and Josh Purche, while hookers Logan Harris and Kurt Aldridge controlled the ruck area well.
Allen’s big hit late in the game was one of the highlights.
“I thought Ben Allen was outstanding,” Kenniff said.
“Logan Harris and Kurt Aldridge were good.
“Tyler Fleming and Callum Hayne are two of the younger guys and they had a run and will be good for us down the track.”
The game attracted the attention some NRL clubs with the Newcastle Knights further strengthening its ties with the school.