Round 4 Roundup

Despite the rain god's best efforts, the ground was open this weekend and we got to play both the Meldrum and Halligan Cup games. Eddie Sudradjat ran on for his 100th game with the club in the Halligans. Congrats Eddie!!

It turned into quite a busy day with Macquarie Uni and Chatswood moving their Meldrum Cup game to our ground due to the uni grounds and Beauchamp Oval both being closed.

It was a good day for Brother's Rugby with a good win against Lane Cove and second grade picking up their first win in quite some time - needless to say, the club sound was sung with gusto.

Next week we're up against Balmain at Leichhardt Oval #2. Meldrum Cup kicks off at 3:15pm and pretty sure we'll get a Halligans as Balmain have been putting two teams on the field each week. We'll update you on the kick-off time.

We look forward to seeing all our supporters there.

ZUMBA ZUMBA ZEY!

Meldrum Cup

A game of two halves

First Half, we kept them in the game.
Despite scoring two tries it seemed we were always a mistake away from conceding a try. Lane Cove averages over 20 points a game, they never looked like scoring but our mistakes were building. We had uncharacteristic turnovers with our line out, took unnecessary risks by running plays in our 22 and yellow cards as well. When we did create opportunity it came undone with poor passing.

Second Half, we put them away!
Totally different team, one that had vigour in its defensive set up. The forwards started to outmuscle the opposition at contact and set pieces. The opposition resorted to “taps” instead of set-piece plays, reminiscent of Wakehurst only this time, we were up to the challenge. Backs started to click, Sai Niubalavu scoring a brilliant set up play untouched under the post.

We played 20 minutes with 14 men courtesy of 2 Yellow Cards. Each time Brothers rose to the occasion scoring a couple of tries, maintaining possession and holding strong in defence. Some good thinking from Joseva Bilo to pack in at 8 and create opportunity leading to a try. Declan Ward played out of his skin, tackling, jacking or carrying, the man can do it all. The forwards really impressed in the second half, Michael Parker leading the way, having to play prop in the second half, jumping in the line out and setting good standards in defence. Stuart Raines continues to impress, orchestrating plays or long kicks out of 22. His combination with Pat Dermott continues to grow.

Great weekend for Brothers Rugby, both teams winning and Eddie Sudradjat playing his 100th game.

The points this week:
1- Joseva Bilo - threat every time he touches the ball.
2- Michael Parker - leads from the front, dealt out some punishment with jarring tackles.
3- Declan Ward - just a workhorse.

Thanks,
Lenny

Halligan Cup

It's been a while between drinks.

An early start for the Yellow team against a travelling Macquarie Uni side in the Halligan Cup, saw a good turn out for stalwart Eddie Sudradjat's 100th game for the club. Good intensity in the warm-up followed the team onto the pitch as, unlike previous slow starts, the boys started with a bang.

Intensity from the offset was injected by Mitch Clark with some strong carries, who continued with these throughout, with plenty of effort also put in by a few new faces. A good first half included some great attacking play and good finishing from Raven Daniel as we executed our game plan to get the ball wide. However, it ended not in attack, but defence - a torrid final ten minutes of the half was spent camped on our own line, as the visitors piled on the pressure. Our defence held firm with some great courage on display, big hits and driving the opposition back, not letting in a score.

Onto the second half, we lost our shape a little as Lenny rang the changes and brought on some eager substitutes, but we regrouped and went forward with strong carries and leg drive from Mat Barton in particular. Even with the opposition cycling in a number of 1st graders, we held firm for a solid win. Great effort all round, celebrated by a heartily sung victory song.

The points this week;

1- Eddie Sudradjat - all heart as ever, great all-round effort for his 100th. Well done Eddie!
2- Mat Barton - consistently showing he is taking in the skills and techniques learnt at training and applying them on the pitch. Some thumping hit-ups. Keep up the good work Mat.
3- Mitch Clark - gutsy effort every time he plays, runs hard, hits hard, a real stand out. Great game Mitch.