A COMBINED Tallahassee Conquistadors/Florida State University team offered plenty of stick to the Queensland Outback Barbarians in one of the most physical clashes of the 2018 US tour.
Played in clear but humid conditions on FSU’s beautifully manicured Bermuda couch pitch, the game presented plenty of ferocious defense for the tourists.
The deadlock was cracked only after 15 minutes when a floating pass on the halfway line was intercepted by the home side, resulting in a runaway try to the delight of the Tallahassee supporters.
For the first time on tour the Barbarians were facing a 0-7 scoreline and the real threat of further points to come. The muscled up Florida team showed plenty of skills at the ruck and a willingness to run the ball.
However, after the introduction of hard running flanker Ellis ‘Elvis’ Jensen and quick and elusive outside back Adam Conway there was an immediate change in the flow of the game in favour of the tourists.
While the home side continued with its excellent defense and ball retention, gaps began to open when the Outback Barbarians were in possession. Flanker Joe Dawson showed plenty of determination to break through the Tallahassee line and score out wide.
Two minutes later Elvis Jensen made one of characteristic forward drives, enabling flyhalf Adam Ebert in the corner and give the Outback Barbarians the lead for the first time in the game.
Play again see-sawed for the next 10 minutes with the home side still well and truly in the hunt.
Then the cracks began to appear as the tourists used their superior skills to take control of the play. A scrum on the Tallahassee line resulted in a push-over try out wide to Barbas fullback Ethan Hoffman.
Five minutes later as a result of quick handling by the outside backs, an inside pass send reserve half Cameron Rosamond in near the posts, giving the visitors 22-7 halftime lead.
The Tallahassee team regrouped after the break with both teams showing plenty of tough defense over the next 10 minutes.
The breakthrough came with some quick back line passing putting centre Adam Conway in the corner.
More slick play lead up work by the Barba’s saw replacement forward Barney Watts slip a beautiful inside pass to Damon Hesp to score near the posts.
The floodgates then opened. Over the next 25 minutes with the Barba’s Alaistair Costello, Tom Butcher, Andrew Kennedy, Sam Fairweather, Colby Mason, with two to Dudley Miles, including one from 60m out.
Hooker Mark Neilsen was named man of the match.
Outback Barbarians 77 (Colby Mason 2, Dudley Miles 2, Joe Dawson, Adam Ebert, Cameron Rosamond, Adam Conway, Damon Hesp, Alaistair Costello, Elvis Jensen, Tom Butcher, Andrew Kennedy, Sam Fairweather tries) d Tallahassee 7.
