Topsy Turvy Tussle Topples To Hosts

On a wonderful day for rugby, Knox took the field with only 13 players due to 4 of the squad being unavailable. A few of those on the pitch were also suffering from the bug that has been running through the school so energy levels were running a little low as the match kicked off.

However, Knox started brightly and put pressure on Dunbar from the kick off. Once again, Knox's well drilled forwards were making good yards and their backs were stretching the visitors left and right. Dunbar had boosted their squad with some strong S4s though so their defence held strong. A good break down the left by Green and Thomson was stopped, but Knox kept coming. A scrum for Dunbar in their 22 was spoiled by Wright who snaffled the Dunbar scrum half and drove him back. The ball was cleared, but Knox recovered and pressure was back on in the Dunbar 22. The ball was recycled and Cunningham took the ball seemingly surrounded to throw a double miss pass out to Dewar on the wing who cantered over for the game's first try.

Dunbar came straight back into the game though and some of their big backs started to make yards. Knox were applying pressure at the scrum, but Dunbar managed to get one ball away and a neat line by the their full back saw him cut clean through from half way for a good score to level the match at 5 all.

Knox took control again with their lineout now beginning to dominate and steal opposition ball. This pressure led to a break by Duke and with one good hand off he was away and under the posts to grab what became a 7 point lead after the conversion.

Knox were back in the Dunbar half shortly after the restart, but their makeshift midfield was finding it difficult to work on the same wavelength and their normal patterns of running were struggling to come together. Balls were dropped or players took the ball standing still making it easy for Dunbar to keep their defensive line intact.

And then, from an innocuous looking chip through, hesitation from the Knox defence allowed the Dunbar Full back to pounce on the bouncing ball and break through for a converted try to level the match again.

Knox once again used their forward power with McQuade, Taylor and Learmonth working hard in the tight to make tough yards and eventually Dunbar conceded a penalty in front of the post. Knox elected to kick and Cunningham took the opportunity to snatch a 3 point lead at the break.

Half Time: Knox Academy 15 Dunbar Grammar 12

The second half started like the first had ended with Knox's forward power earning good yards and Dunbar's two big hard running backs making yards, although Dewar was doing a great job to keep them under control with some great tackling round their ankles.

The scrums became uncontested as one of Dunbar's props had to go off, but the contest was very much still on across the rest of the pitch. The ball was back in Dunbar's 22 and it squirted out of ruck. The scrum half recovered and passed out to his fly half, only for Cunningham to intercept and grab a try which was converted.

Knox now had a 10 point lead and should have pulled away, but Dunbar were determined not to lose to their local rivals and started to put on more pressure as their big backs started to makes some breaks only for more great tackling by Dewar, Macfarlane, Eadie, Cunningham and Taylor to hold them out. The rucks were becoming more contested and the crowd were enjoying a very competitive match. Knox did seem to be retaining control, but over relaxed when looking to clear a ball which was charged down and Dunbar were through for a converted try and suddenly back in the game.

Knox were determined to close the game out and got more pressure in the visitors 22. Thomson was unlucky after a good charge down only to knock the ball on as he was picking it up to cross the line. A chance gone. But Knox still had the pressure in their opponents 22 until a moment of madness with a late tackle followed a big clearance kick by their full back. A penalty 50 yards up the pitch, a quick tap, and suddenly Dunbar were over for another converted try and a 2 point lead.

Knox gathered themselves and straight from Cunningham's towering restart, Green took the ball on, bounced like a pinball through 3, 4, 5 attempted tackles only to be brought down a few yards short. The ball was recycled quickly and Eadie looked liked he was through for a try only to hesitate and get stopped short. Macfarlane was quickly over the ball and, after the Dunbar player went to ground, he looked up to find no-one in from of him so picked the ball up and jumped over for simple opportunistic try. There were only a few minutes left now and Knox thought the best form of defence was attack as they made their way up the park again. A good kick by Cunningham was well chased by Green who caught the Dunbar defender and the pressure was back on. Dunbar managed to recycle the ball, but it popped out of the side of a ruck and was pounced on by Duke. Knox saw their chance and moved it quickly out to man of the match Dewar who danced through the defence for a try in the final play of the match.

Final Score: Knox Academy 36 Dunbar Grammar 26

A thoroughly entertaining game for all the spectators as both teams looked to play expansive rugby and compete hard at rucks. Whilst Knox didn't manage to get a full strength team out and there were a few not at full fitness, the coaches were delighted that the team showed great character to come back and win on a day when a team with a weaker spirit could have crumbled.