Sharks defeat Bulls to win Champions’ Cup
OBAN High School’s last S1/2 Bulls and Sharks game of the season took place last Wednesday afternoon. With the games tied at two wins and two draws, this was the deciding match for both teams.
The Bulls kicked the game off and instantly the Sharks gained territory due to missed tackles. The Bulls were welcoming the pressure and not adding anyone to the rucks. This didn’t pay off for the Bulls as Sharks outside centre Sam Coates burst through an open gap and ran through for the first score of the day. Ellis Hunter converted leading to a 7- 0 start.
After this the intensity grew and more mistakes were caused by both teams in attack and defence.
It was a middle of the park game until Sharks captain, Ben Findlay made a break through the centre of the Bulls’ defence before passing to try scorer Coates. He played it out to his winger who was clean through but fumbled it, giving the Bulls a chance to clear their lines.
Sharks kicked off the second half but Bulls didn’t start the same as Sharks and were forcing the mistakes. However, a penalty for a high tackle was given and quick thinking from Bulls captain Blair MacFarlane saw him and his team gain around 20 metres.
An attempted interception pass gave Bulls fullback Jordan Norman a massive gap to run into and, with a good step, he was under the posts. The conversion was made by fly-half Blair MacFarlane.
Drawing 7-7, and with full time approaching, the players tired under the hot sun and were making mistakes but, after good hands from the Sharks, they finished a well-worked try out wide. The conversion was well kicked again by Ellis Hunter.
At full time the Sharks had won a hard-fought game handing them the S1/2 Champions’ Cup.
All the boys involved are part of Oban High School’s School of Rugby Programme, the series provides game time for the boys especially over the winter months. The Bulls and Sharks have seen a steady increase in training numbers over the year.
This year’s Bulls and Sharks series has been managed by Oban High School and Oban Lorne RFC modern apprentice Lewis MacFarlane.