Matchday 6 – Match Reports

4th Grade
Brothers 15 – 14 Macquarie Uni

It was pretty tough getting a team on the pitch in fourth grade due to the nature of the rearranged fixture, and we were careless enough to have lost two of our three front rowers. However, Pickle fronted up after a full game in seconds to play a half for us, and that meant we ran on contested. Fair play Pickle. Legend. The first half was a pretty competitive affair, with both sides attempting to play to their strengths. Brothers were keeping it tight and getting forward momentum from Matt C, Matt G, Shaun, Lav and Dom North. Mac Uni were throwing it about and getting wide early. In fact it was a simple kick chase for Mac Uni that gave them their first try which owed as much to poor cover defence on our behalf as to pace on theirs. Second half, we were down to 14 after going uncontested and Mac Uni got over in the corner where that man down should have been despite a gallant attempt from Tim to get across. The conversion left us four points adrift with minutes to go.
Cue Dom North breaking a number of tackles and getting five metres from the line where a pop pass ended up being carried over the line for an exhilarating last second of the game try. Cue mad celebrations and a pretty average attempt at a drop conversion. Matt C was rewarded for his all round effort with a try.

Player points:
3: Matty C, dominant ball in hand, smashed the gain line every time. Never took a step back in defence. Unfortunately broke his leg Sunday playing Golden Oldies. Will be badly missed, get well soon big fella.
2: Dom North, Physical hit ups. Broke the gain line every time and if the backs had provided better support play, could have made them a couple of more tries.
1: Niall, right place, right time to pick up the try at the end, kicked what needed to be kicked to seal the win.

3rd Grade
Brothers 7 – 7 Mac Uni

3rd Grade was marred by an extremely ugly incident in the first half. This match report is probably not the right place to go into detail of what happened. I think both clubs would condemn the action and spirit of the fracas and particularly the violent incident that occurred, so let’s leave that there.Thankfully, Nick is on the mend and as of Saturday night had been discharged from hospital.
It was shaping up to be a competitive and fiercely physical game until that point, but after that, both teams showed only glimpses of what they are capable of. In an error ridden, penalty laden affair a draw was eventually ground out. Matt Gibbs got a nicely worked forwards try.

Player points:
3: Dr. Fokker: Energetic display as always, added muscle and discipline to a physically matched back row.
2: Matt Cullen: Looked dangerous ball in hand, good defensive work. Need to get these guys the ball a bit more often.
1: Matt Gibbs: Popped up with a try, and put in a good all round technical display.

2nd Grade
Brothers 52 (7 tries) – 7 Mac Uni

It’s amazing what having a consistent team turning up to training and to matches will do for your confidence and your execution. Second grade are starting to look like an extremely well oiled machine. With Dean and Jeff controlling the flow of possession to a well drilled back line we have great penetration and some dangerous looking set plays. And with Paulie and Tux dominating at the lineout, and a formidable scrum the backs are getting the platform to utilise what’s being worked on in training. Mac Uni put in a good contest, but were up against a team that on the day executed very well indeed.
Our first try was a good example of that with Sam taking a nice flat line in off Jeff to roll in under the posts. The next try was a nice juxtaposition, with the forwards executing an excellent maul to drive a physically outmatched Uni pack over their own goal line. All in all a good performance, and something to build on for tougher challenges over the next few weeks.
Paulie, Hansie, Tux, Sam and Jack notched a try a piece. Dean popped up for two. Farnzy was lethal with the boot, and picked up a handsome 7 conversions and a penalty. Must be the new personalised boots.

Player points:
3: Tux, fantastic addition to the squad, great in the air, good hands in the loose and physical in defence and attack, great all round performance this week.
1: Davo, anchored a dominant scrum, good energy and leadership from the front.
1: Johnny Gibbs, great forward momentum, a constant menace with his formidable presence. Also always manages to look good….how does he do it?
1: Jack, popped up with a try, could have had more, pace, penetration, and an ability to create space from nothing at the end of a well drilled back line.

1st Grade
Brothers 40 (6 tries) – 14 Mac Uni

Some good, some bad is the general consensus after this week. Some of the execution was excellent, with some notable individual performances. Lenny had an outstanding game and scored two tries to add to a hot streak of form he’s been in all season. There were some lapses of concentration in possession however, and some handling let us down at times.It seems that sometimes when we have a team by the throat we find it a little hard to pull the trigger. Some passes went amiss, some balls were knocked on and it was the first time this year that we’ve been really challenged in the lineout.
Credit has to go to the Mac Uni boys for really getting in our faces in the lineout and getting up quickly in defence forcing us to make mistakes, and have scrappy and slower ball. An improvement is required to be realistic about taking Minor Premiership honours, as winning at this level is about executing the basics and building a solid platform to execute form.
Lenny and Matty scored a brace apiece, Vuli picked up one and The “Flying Mo” another.

Player points:
3: Lenny: As already mentioned, this boy is in a hot streak of form, and it’s not often you see a number six not just do all the dirty work but some of the glamorous stuff as well, but this man has been doing that all season.
2: Matty Mc: Another solid game from the veteran flanker. Almost back to his best and always a threat to the opposition line.
1: Jonny Chirish: Excellent game on the wing for the diminutive winger. Nearly got two tries but for some excellent defensive cover work. His hard work, pace and guile probably deserved better this week.