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Round 12 Wrap Up
13-07-2009
Nedlands headed to Allen Park on Saturday with two goals in mind. Number one was for the 1st Grade to secure another crucial win to stay on track for a finals berth. And secondly, to break a three-year hoodoo against Associates. And it was a case of mission accomplished on both fronts.
Tony Ball’s 1st Grade team headed to Swanbourne for the rare night game full of confidence after four straight wins which has turned the season around for Neddies. However, while Mike “Devo” Denton registered first points with a penalty, it was Soaks who ran up the early points with two tries to snatch a 10-3 lead. Another penalty from Devo Dents reduced the margin to 10-6 before another player hailing from New Zealand’s deep south, Richie “Rat” Naylor scored Neddies first try of the evening.
While the conversion gave Neddies a 13-10 lead it was short-lived as the home team scored a third try just before halftime to go to the break with a 17-13 lead. In a tight second half, Soaks increased their lead to 22-13 with a run-away try to former Neddies Colt Zack Holmes. Devo Dents kept Neddies in the game at 22-16 with his second penalty goal, setting up an epic finish. But there was too much at stake for Neddies to let this game slip. And just as he did the previous week against Palmyra, it was captain Nathan Roberts, looking more and more dangerous in the Number 9 jumper, who sealed the game for his team with a late try for a 23-22 victory. It was Nedlands second one-point win in a row, but the four competition points have left the team formerly known as the Royal Blues within striking distance of the four. All of which makes a victory against Kalamunda this Saturday all the more crucial. Go you good things.
In the 2nd Grade, they knew it was going to be a tough contest and the boys stood up and were all counted. After 3 minutes of game time, sniper boot Ren D'Alberto slotted his first penalty. Unfortunately we lost Juan Pretorious soon after, who looked like he had re-injured his troublesome hamstring once again. The replacement, Scotty McMillan, had to lift to the intensity of the game straight away. Lean Stevens was again demolishing anyone who got near him in defence and then showed some attacking flair when he picked up the ball from the back of an untidy wheeling scrum, threw a dummy from 40 metres out, and then out sprinted all the Soaks defenders to the line. It is a fair indication of the closeness of the game that this proved to be our only try of the night. It was tough night but a good one for Neddies and Lean's determination to score with four defenders trying to stop him was typical of the mindset of the entire team. Another penalty by Ren finished scoring for the first half with Neddies leading 11 to 0.
In the second half Associates again seem to enjoy the majority of the possession but our ruck defence held firm and the improvement in our first up tackling ensured that Soaks never really looked like scoring. Scores in the second half were limited to just one a penalty a piece to finish the game 14 to 3.Best on ground was Lean (3 points) our ever green captain Trefor (2 points) and his always reliable vice-captain Travis (1 point). A special mention also to Ranga, who had by far his best game ever for
Nedlands. And finally special thanks to Farqy, Marty Scoon, Rob Carter and Ducktape for their excellent contributions off the bench.
The 3rd Grade Gold traveled down to Bunbury and came away with a massive 58-0 win, unfortunately I don't think news travels that fast from down there, so there is no match report.
In 3rd Grade Black, the Shamwaris had to step up a level and try to fill the boots of the mighty Cavaliers. The Cavs headed down to Bunbury and would do us proud. Our team this week included the mighty Rocket, Kirk and a number of other notable Neddies legends. It was another week of introductions before kick-off before taking on 2nd placed Soaks. The Howes Brothers, Clive, Richie and Nick all played out of their skins and at half time we were ahead 7 – 6. In the second half the sheer determination of Richie ran down an intercept and tackled the Soaks guy just inches from the try line, Greg was there to secure the ball and we defended well. A very questionable penalty try was awarded against us, where we didn’t manage to pull off an intercept and were adjudged to have deliberately slapped the ball down. A very tough call. But as is the true spirit of the this team, they dusted off and had another go. Sadly two - again questionable – yellow cards allowed Soaks to post a match winning try and secure a well deserved victory. Hats off to the mighty Shams who gave of their best to secure a win for the Cavs, but just couldn’t pull it off, going down 18-7
In 4th Grade Gold, the Cavaliers also made the trip down to Bunbury, securing a 50-5 win for their mates, the Shamwaris. They probably drank, danced and sung so much that they forgot to submit a match report.
In 4th Grade Black, the Mighty Undefeated Nomads came away with a hard fought 22-7 bonus win against Associates. A big day down at Soaks set the pace for a tough game up front. Clutters and Shayno toiled away with help from POD hooker Taff Black It was a game of surges with pressure from Soaks attacking the line then the Nomads would come up with the ball and surge back attacking their line with the difference being, the Nomads got the points when close.
Gadget getting across in the first half after slick passing from the Nomad's high profile trio of Spotty, Wilko Wizard and George FJ.
Picalo playing a beauty of a game at loosie, made enough difference to keep winning ball for the Nomads backs. Haydos cleaned up any ball that was put over and turned it into counter attacks. Craig Evans got some speed up and chipped ahead to form a ruck on the line for Clutters to barge through and score.
The second half was much the same with the backline shutting down any surge from Soaks. Gadget got another with his speed due to good ball from the hard working forwards.
Nomads thought Soaks would give up but not the case. They bounced back with a try early on. Nomads knew one more try would do it for them and none other than Magnum stepped up catching a kick at pace, bolted towards the line with the crowd on there feet only to be outdone by a slippery pitch bringing him back down to earth.
Another ruck was won with quick hands out to Gadget who showed us all and Magnum how to run at pace, scored under the post for his 3rd and 23rd of the season, bursting the Soaks bubble once and for all.
U20 Blue - Having pre-organised on the Thursday night to play Curtin in a game of tens in order that they wouldn’t have to forfeit hence be out of the competition, the man in white ensured that no such thing would be happening on his watch.... Thankfully a couple of guys from Gold had come early so strapped their boots on to play what turned out to be a game of 12 a side rugby. A see sawing game of enterprising rugby ensued with Curtin just getting the nod late in the game 24-17. Debutants Scott, Piri & Dom all made an impact & were welcomed to the Club in customary ‘Sambucca’ style by Coach Sue Roberts.
U20 Gold – What was billed as a blockbuster between last years GF teams, turned out to be a score board disaster for Neddies.
After 20 mins, scores were locked at 0-0 before a steady stream of penalties wore down the Royal Blues who ran on minus 6 of their regular starters. The effort told as they went down 0-18 at half time, with frustration from all parties starting to show. Despite a call for “no Penalties” from the Coach, SOAKS were awarded the next 12 Pens/FK in succession, leaving the Neddies boys with the opportunity to make enough tackles for 2 games. To Neddies credit, only 1 try to SOAKS resulted during this 20 min period, with a number of counter attack opportunities going astray with the last pass found wanting....desperate times, desperate measures...
Unfortunately the pendulum never swung the other way with Neds receiving just the one long arm penalty all game (10th minute). Oh that we might be that disciplined....
With the game long gone, SOAKS picked up an intercept try following a rare Neds FK, with Rusty left wondering which backline the yellow shirt was playing in given the gloomy conditions.
On the positive side, BOG Lewis Flood was a “revelation” at 12, making numerous bone crunching tackles on SOAKS big backrowers. Yeatsy was left scratching his head after having a blinder in everyone but the man in white’ eyes, with the scrum holding up well all day. Unfortunately Lewis “The Beast” Adam suffered yet another shoulder injury in his 1st contact of the day. The lads however kept their heads up & defended their line repeatedly with wave after wave of set piece attack being thrown at them, with the scoreboard in no way reflecting the difference between the 2 teams... The final Score was 35-0 to Associates.
In the Under18s, Nedlands went down 35-14 to a well drilled top of the table Associates team. They must have been so gutted, they didn't submit a match report.
Next week sees the club heading out to Kalamunda and ARKs for some tough fixtures.
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