Matchday 9 – Match Reports

Colts
Brothers 34 – 0 Blue Mountains

Best & Fairest
3pts – Jayde Gray
2pts – Nathan Timbrell
1pt – Isaac V & the entire team for excellent cohesion & defensively keeping the opposition scoreless.

Referees Points;
3 points: Stuart Raines
2 points: Blue Mountains #8 Jack Burton
1 point: Matt Cullen

Tryscorers
Stuart Raines
Tom Carnaffan
Joel Brooks
Todd Stephenson
Justin Gates

Stuart Raines; 3 Conversions, 1 Penalty Goal

Well guys I think that was the game to show we have got what it takes to trouble the engraver with The Brothers name on the premiership Cup on the 21st July, in just 3 games time. We played with structure and discipline, it was an exemplary defensive effort by the entire team remaining focussed and showing great patience, not rushing phases, resulting in less turnover and a plethora of opportunities, our backline movements seemed crisp and well executed.

Yep, definitely a game to inspire some confidence in our hopes of a Radford Cup victory, but it’s still all to do; a home game in the big test next week with Hills, a three week layover and then a finals series that may pit us against Mountains again (an opponent club whom history shows step up for the big games) and provided we overcome the obstacles a likely Grand Final against the team who has set the bar in this comp since the trials.

Who’s up for it?……..Are you in?……… Who are you?

Saturday was a great spectacle, for once we didn’t start in a fumbling hurry, after sustaining pressure in their half in the early part of the game we were sagely content to take the 3 points when they were on offer and return on a fresh opportunity. It was for us to return into their territory and when Joel pounced on a dropped ball in their backline he showed a strong fend and crossed for our first. Not long after returning to their red zone, Tom Carnaffan took an incisive run back through the forwards from the wing and with steely determination found the line for our second, in the words of the coach “Carno took control of his assigned position and got one up on his opposing player”.

In a foray into our territory mid first half Mountains took a penalty attempt with a shot that seriously may not have got a foot off the ground. The territory that we soon took back off them, often through hit ups by Jayde Gray who had a screamer and Isaac, and when our backline chimed in we took good options gaining ground every time.

At half time the word from the coach was to use the sun in the second half, unfortunately for their full back it was great advice and succeeded twice in early succession. We still soaked up a tonne of pressure with everything Mountains and the ref could throw at us, in one stanza we defended five penalties on our own line, turning them around each time.

Timbrell made some crunching tackles and executed some fantastic runs and he and Stuey (happy birthday mate) also acquitted us well with in a mid half kicking duel. Speaking of the birthday boy, for mine the attacking play of the game was his straight run combination with a strong running Todd on the angle, sharply executed on both occasions it lead directly to us crossing the line, that’s a keeper!

Seage didn’t disappoint with a third straight game of strong loose on the break running, but to cast a light on the front row I need go no further than our last try of the game; Gatesy glad just to be on the park after flirting unnecessarily with the judiciary last Wednesday found himself running on the wing with the ball towards their 22 and of all options went for a chip ‘n chase (WHY!!!!!), at the inevitable ensuing lineout we saw him pounce on a loose ball from a Mountains tap down and with great tenacity drove himself over the line. As it seemed with each of the players out there when an error was made on Saturday there was every effort redoubled to redeem themselves, well done guys, this is how you play as a unit!

Some individuals observations from Greg;
– Isaac stepped up to the mark and was a tackling machine
– Joel Brooks showed great versatility and skills across the park with punishing line breaking ball running & fearless defence
– Tom Carno showed steely determination to cross the line and took control of his assigned position to get one up on his opposing player
– Matt Cullen & Todd Stephenson are fast becoming the most becoming dynamic, exciting & effective centre combination in the colts competition

Greg however highlighted that despite individuals playing to their potential it was a 21 man effort, “This was a team performance and it all seemed gelled on Saturday, passes stuck and a there was a more intuitive style of play and a forwards effort which integrated well with the backs.”

Our game plan was well executed and created opportunities, we do need the execution though, so complacency wont get us there! We’re up against the benchmark this saturday at home, an opportunity to aim up and ensure we can execute this game plan under pressure and avoid frustration as we did on Saturday. If the game is there we can do it again, let’s start with that aim for Saturday regardless of the conditions. Training is on on Thursday, please ensure you get along!

Zumba Zumba Zey
Senor Ole

Next Fixture
Saturday 16th June
vs Hills
10:45am Roseville Chase Oval be there to warm up by 10:00am
Training is essential over the coming weeks guys

In a side note your manager will be playing his 350th game for the club this Saturday, it might be Noon or 1pm either why not hang around and buy him a beer or two!

4th Grade
Brothers 10 – 19 Hawkesbury Valley

Competitive game for fourth grade. Did the club proud to double up in threes.

Player points:
3: Lucas
2: Buzz
1: Karl

3rd Grade
Brothers 0 – 48 Hawkesbury Valley

Tough day at the office for the boys. Most of whom had to double up. Against a strong and physical Valley side, we gave ourselves the toughest of starts.

Player points:
3: Nick Tel
2: Karl
1: Andy C

2nd Grade
Brothers 29 – 22 Hawkesbury Valley

Back to winning ways for second grade after a sloppy loss to Hills. This was better, but more improvement needed.

Player points:
2: Brendan Mc
2: Isei
2: Hans

1st Grade
Brothers 22 – 12 Hills

Well fought win against a physical and well drilled side.

Player points:
3: Buckets
2: Shaka
1: Ratu