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Brothers 54 – UNSW 7

After last weekend’s double header Brothers turned up for this game with some wounded men and with a call (again) on the Stockdale team to cover a number of positions. Another test of the Clubs depth. We all thought that Uni could come out all guns blazing given they were 4th on the table with Oatley, game in hand, breathing down their neck.

Uni by their own admission, in the after game speeches, were again off their game and so this made life a little easier for Brothers who for most of the first half were their own worst enemy. Running up hill and into a strong breeze they struggled to get out of their own half (too many penalties!!!!!) and but for the attacking efforts of Joel, Charlie and Duro (who backed up from a full game in Stockdale) we could have been behind at half time. Three first half tries with 2 conversions against the run of play to Uni’s solitary converted try for their rather sad efforts left a half time score of 17-7.

The second half produced some better more committed forward play through improved line outs and some harder work at the breakdown. This then gave the backs some room to move and produced against a tiring Uni team a further 5 converted tries all to the backs; Jonny Gavin (2), Si, Waddie and Joel. All in all a pretty solid performance from a disappointing Uni outfit. It is hard to gauge where the team is, but it is undeniable if you put 50 on the opposition there must be something going right! Thanks to all of the guys from the Stockdale squad who filled in this week (too many to mention), you know who you are!!!

Refs points went to Matty 3 (flanker this week) and Jonny Gavin 1. Coaches points to Villi the stand in half (3 points) great service, 2 to Joel and one to Charlie.

Finally, special mention had to be made to Waddie as the stand in captain. Other than trying to ‘blue’ with the biggest guy in their team a great job. Worth mentioning that a few (golfers three fairways across) were complaining about the swear meter going off the scale and a couple of forwards asked for ear plugs.

Lindfield next week.