Table toppers topple the republic

On a cold, wet and windy Saturday the Republic hosted Pont 2s.
Will kicked off the game, with an absolute beauty, hanging in the wind landing right on the visitors 10m line, and the packs kick chase forcing the knock on. From this attacking position and good ball retention by forward and back alike the whitewash was calling, and after only 5 minutes of play another lap formed and John Marshall slid into the corner for with first points of the game.
It was Pont who came back with more fire and better use of the conditions and for the remaining 35 minutes the game was played in our 22, with each exit replied with a Pont kick straight back into the home teams corner. The game could have been over at half time, but with strong and disciplined defence the half time score was 14-5 to the visitors.
Like the first half Novos came out the blocks running, with strong lines and good use of the wind. David Marshall went over the line, then converted his own try making it a 2 point game. The last 15 minutes was a scrappy affair with balls being spilt, hands in ever ruck and the ref losing control at times. However with the home slide pushing for the win and multiple players suffering injuries, it was the visitors that scored the next points after 5 minutes on excellent defence on the 5m line the defensive line broke.
With nothing to lose the quick start off was attempted, however the gamble didn’t pull off and Pont were back in the home sides 22. And within a minute pressure after a questionable call from the referee the visitors somehow found themselves over the line again. Finishing the game as a 24-12 loss for the Republic.

by Oliver Richardson