By Dan Henderson, Director of Rugby
What a beautiful day for rugby. What a great setting for our final home game of the 2016 season. What a challenge to turn the tide on our disappointing round 1 results against the much younger step sister – Balmain.
With only 4 remaining matches of the regular season, 4 teams needed wins today to improve their playoff chances and cement a top-4 finish.
4th Grade: 14-5 WIN
Set the scene with a wonderful 1st half display of solid structured rugby, only to take their foot off the throat of the visiting opposition in the second half as subs seemed to change the flow, & Balmain sniffing an opportunity to fight back.
With hopes still alive watch closely for their remaining matches, as the cards will most likely fall according to the higher placed teams if they win their remaining fixtures.
3rd Grade: 7-36 Loss
This team continues to struggle. Without solid numbers training together, a lot of ability and talent ends up playing without continuity in what is a very tough 3rd Grade comp.
The top 4 teams that are clear favourites play with a mixture of experience & time together. Another tough day at the office for this team who’s ultimate challenge is to find the time to train with each other to get that much needed first win.
Colts: 66-0
Its hard to look at the scoreline and say this wasn’t a brilliant & dominant performance from our Colties – a squad who has done everything it can to be in the hunt for its first ever title match….. However this was a sloppy win against 11 Balmain Lads – who won a lot of breakdowns and really out played our boys in some crucial areas.
A win none the less – let us hope this squad of players understands the merit of its current position and continues to push hard to improve in the remaining weeks rather than be complacent.
2nd Grade: 25-12
After a very disappointing 15-8 Loss to Balmain in our round 1 clash, this team had a lot to prove as it took the pitch. First challenge was to command the pitch as the front row had a major shuffle without its regular starters, due to injuries and travelling players in 1st & 2nds.
The game started with a bang for Balmain who caught us napping and walked their way to an early score. This was all that was needed for the senior players to take charge and go about playing the rugby that has been practiced.
Solid ball carries from Terry & Corey set the platform for some brilliant tactical kicking from Luke Fletcher which found the smooth running Tom Stephenson who was playing with a new found confidence and aggression, scoring an excellent try that highlighted some individual brilliance and a delight to watch.
Lots to like about this match as the side put together a win that showed massive improvements and players really starting to hit their stride.
1st Grade: 39-14
This was Clinical Smart Rugby.
Balmain turned up with a new look team, but it has never been about the opposition for this squad, this season.
Today this squad was challenged to approach the entire game with a clear goal – Dominate! And for the first time in a long time (someone mentioned 3 seasons….), we finally beat the local rivals with a bonus point and convincing win.
Outstanding performances from all who took the pitch meant this team were singing to the same tune all the way into the changing room.
This is an important build for club and players, putting us within striking distance of playoffs.
With our make-up round 11 vs Knox match this coming ‘wet weather’ weekend – a win will place us in 3rd place with 2 regular season matches remaining.
Come and show your support for our final 3 matches that are all at AWAY grounds.