Results
Under 18's
Penrith Rams 14.11-95 defeated East Coast Eagles 5.4-34
Goal Kickers: J. Spicer 4, K. McDonagh 2, B. Robinson 2, R. Johnson 2, M. Reardon 2, H. Mulligan, J. King
Best Players: B. Robinson, H. Stibbard, M. Payne, M. Reinhard, A. Sharp, J. Spicer
Media Release
The Penrith Rams returned to the winners list in the Sydney AFL U/18’s competition with a thumping 61 point win over East Coast Eagles last Saturday at Greygums Oval. Penrith were coming off a narrow two point defeat against Southern Power in their top of the table clash the previous week, and were eager to atone.
The Rams fast starts have been a feature so far this season, and so it proved again with an unanswered five goal first term, before taking a 39 point lead into half time. The second half saw the Rams continue to hold the upper hand, and despite a shoulder injury to key on-baller Daniel Schroot, were able to run away to a convincing victory.
Final scores were Penrith 14-11-95 to East Coast Eagles 5-4-34.
Ben Robinson was everywhere for Penrith, and he had great support from Harley Stibbard, Mitch Reinhard and “Red Cow Inn man of the match” Matthew Payne . John Spicer continued his good form up forward to boot four goals, taking his tally to 26 for the season to sit second on the goalkicking ladder.
Coach Kevin Tate was pleased with the win, however, he warned of the challenges ahead. "Even though we have a great record against the Eagles, they have always taken us to the limit in recent years. This week the boys showed commitment for the entire game, which is needed against the better sides. Next week against Sydney Uni will be a blockbuster and despite a lopsided game in our first meeting with them, the team was improved in leaps and bounds since then and will certainly be competitive"
First Grade started strongly against the high flying Nor WestJets in the local derby, trailing by just two points at the first change. The second term proved crucial, three unanswered goals from the visitors saw them take a 20 point lead into half time. The dogged Rams came again at their more fancied opponents in the third term, and with the margin at four goals at the final change, coach Lachlan Smith felt that they were still in with a chance. From this point though the Jets were able to assert their superiority, going away to win by 44 points despite Penrith battling the game right out.
Final scores were Nor West Jets 16-8-104 to Penrith 9-6-60.
Victorian recruit Aidan Thompson made an excellent debut for the club to be Penrith’s best, whilst Kris Wozniak again shone. Lachlan Smith and Mark Jackson were lively up forward, booting three goals a piece.
Reserve Grade also took on the Jets, and despite battling hard were never a match for their stronger opponents. Jonathan Barry was the Rams best against his old club, whilst Christian Knight and Dale Perry also did well. Stuart Ayres provided a target in booting two goals.
This week sees the U/18’s take on premiership favourites, the Collingwood backed Sydney Uni, on Sunday in a match that will give the young Rams a true indication of where they sit as they head towards the finals. First Grade take on UNSW/ES, also on Sunday, whilst Reserve Grade tackle Sydney Uni on Saturday.
New players are always welcome, please contact Jason Bradley on 0417 243 009 for further information.
Match Reports
Under 18's
A glorious winter's day saw the return clash of the Rams and the East Coast Eagles at Greygums in Round 12. The day was in contrast to the first round match at Bensons when wet and wild weather prevailed in the Rams hard fought fourteen point win. With the Rams missing the usual few players due to injury, they needed to be at their best to return to the winning list after their narrow two point loss the previous week against competition leaders, Southern Power. From a historical point of view, a win would maintain the Rams incredible winning sequence against the Eagles. Despite East Coast treating Penrith as their recruitment area in recent years, they have never beaten the Rams.
The match started out cautiously with both sides going in hard. It wasn't long before the home team began to dominate and with the centre pack taking good options, Jamie King opened the account with a "soccered" goal. More majors mounted up with Hamish Mulligan, Matt Reardon, Ben Robinson and John Spicer adding to the tally whist the defence allowed only a single point to the Eagles to go to the break with a thirty one point lead.
East Coast commenced the second stanza with renewed vigour and made the most of their advances into the forward fifty with two goals but six pointers to Penrith's Kyle McDonagh, Reece Johnson and another by "Everywhere Man" Robinson allowed the team to go to the major break with a thirty nine point buffer. However, the injury toll was mounting with Daniel Schroot suffering a serious injury whilst Lachlan Gippel was feeling the effects of a recent injury.
The third quarter saw another tough battle and to the Eagles credit they continued to take advantage when a sniff of points was on offer in scoring two goals but again this was negated by a McDonagh major and another two to John Spicer to see the Rams take a tight hold on the game with a forty seven point lead.
With win number nine for the season on the horizon, the Rams dominated the final session and only some innacurate kicks saw the boys fail to reach the hundred mark with Reece Johnson, Matt Reardon and John Spicer all adding to their tally. East Coast managed a late goal but when the siren sounded for the final time, it was Penrith recording a sixty one point win.
The game now sees the team retain third spot on the ladder and again was played in good spirit, although with the East Coast Club Umpire awarding a mammoth seventeen free kicks against them against only four against the Eagles, it is possible that some work needs to be done at training this week should the coaching staff see that figure as warranted.
Coach Kevin Tate was pleased to see the team rebound after last week's heartbreaking loss. "Even though we have thsi great record against the Eagles, they have always taken us to the limit in recent years. This week the boys showed commitment for the full game which is needed against the better sides. Next week against Sydney Uni will be a blockbuster and despite a lopsided game in our first meeting with them, the team was improved in leaps and bounds since then and will certainly be competitive
Perennial performer Ben Robinson is always amongst the best player on the ground and today was no exception with a brilliant display all over the ground. No one was sure what position he played, but it seemed that he played in all of them during the match. His enthusiasm was backed up in the canteen later in the day. Ben will be displaying his "L" plates on the Green Car for the next seven days. Harley Stibbard is a usual fixture in the best list and today was no exception along with "Red Cow Inn" Dinner awardee, "hardman" Matty Payne who always lets his opponents know he is close by. Mitch Reinhart and ruckman Adam Sharp played havoc in the centres whist John Spicer continues to always take the bst options up front. Ben Robinson's fellow canteen cohort, Matt Reardon, played his best of the year and will be the recipient of the "Freestyler" hairstyle product prize to add to his already burgeoning cosmetic kit.
Next week the team come up against premiership favourites, Sydney Uni, the controversial additions to this years Challenge Cup competition. The Collingwwod Scholarship team are expected to be at full strength with Ex-Rams Nick Perry and Michael Hartley (as well as other elite players from around the state) on their teamlist. The Rams were left lamenting after their first meeting back in May, but a much improved effort is expected when they make the trek to Alan Davidson Park next Sunday for the 2:00 PM clash.
Thanks to East Coast for providing a link to the Rams Website. All players and supporters are urged to bookmark the site for all the latest news. Penrith also provide reciprical rights to any players that wish to play with the Rams in 2010. You will me made most welcome.
Penrith Rams 14.11-95 defeated East Coast Eagles 5.4-34
Goal Kickers: J. Spicer 4, K. McDonagh 2, B. Robinson 2, R. Johnson 2, M. Reardon 2, H. Mulligan, J. King
Best Players: B. Robinson, H. Stibbard, M. Payne, M. Reinhard, A. Sharp, J. Spicer
Last Modified on 21/04/2010 23:24