Rams Media Release by "The Chair"
The U/18's kicked off the day against Holroyd-Parramatta with a comprehensive 87 point win, which would have been even greater except for some profligate finishing. In a great defensive effort the boys kept the home side scoreless until half time, and to just one goal for the game. Jakeman King-Smith and Matthew Payne led the way in the backline, whilst John Spicer and Justin Weller booted 3 goals apiece.
The U/18's along with the First Grade side now enjoy a week off before tackling Manly and Pennant Hills respectively, whilst Reserve Grade will tackle Camden at Greygums Oval tomorrow.
The Rams are still looking for new players. Please contact Jason Bradley on 0417 243 009 for further details.
Under 18's
It is not an easy task to back up a week after a thumping loss with any great amount of confidence. It is probably just as daunting for 16-17 year olds to wake up on Saturday morning at daybreak and travel to Quakers Hill for an 8:30 AM match (Be there at 7:30 AM was the coach's instructions) Twenty two players did just that on Saturday when they took on the nomadic Holroyd-Parramatta Goannas at Wrights Reserve after the game had been transferred from Gipps Rd, much to the angst of Barry and Jakeman King-Smith, who live just a stones throw from the original venue. With five players out due to injury, all players had to put in 100% to get back on the winners list.
The game kicked off under calm conditions with the luxury of three umpires, unlike the week before. Heavy dew made handling difficult but the Rams were dominant in the opening stanza with goals to John Spicer, Justin Weller, Nic Edwards and "Rocket" Ben Robinson puttin a 28 point gap on their opponents who failed to get on the board.
The second quarter saw just as much vigour and enthusiasm with Spicer adding another, Weller kicking a double, including a set shot with no angle to work from and a sensational Jack Ponton goal from a distance and an acute angle. The defence was magnificent as well and as the team went to oranges had restricted their opponents to zero on the scoreboard.
To the Goannas credit, they came out humming in the third quarter and made continual raids into Ram territory, but the visitors repelled the attacks allowing only a couple of behinds whilst adding two of their own six-pointers courtesy of Nic Edwards and Reece Johnson.
A few positional changes were made in the final quarter with the match well won. Hamish Mulligan, John Spicer and Jack Ponton added majors to their name and in the dying minutes, Holroyd Parramatta received their first two flag salute for the match. The Rams were well and truly back on track and now go to next week's bye with a 3-1 record for the season.
Coach Kevin Tate was happy with the teams performance. "It is always a concern when you are missing a few key players, but the boys all put in 100%, and that is what any coach loves to see, win or lose" he said. "Twenty Two players out there all got close to maximum game time and will be improved by the hitout. Next week's bye will be a blessing in disguise as it will give many of the players time to get over niggling injuries when they play the competitions big improvers, Manly, in a fortnight's time.
The coaching staff were quite stumped in trying to single out the best for the week. Alex Bain bounced back to form in impressive style and was awarded the "Red Cow Hotel" Dinner Award. Jack Ponton topped off a great week (He was named in the NSW/ACT Rams train-on squad) and became the inaugural recipient of the blue car (generously donated by Wrights Reserve). Jakeman King-Smith was sensational once again and headed the best for the day whilst Matthew Payne caused havoc for the opposition all day. Nic Edwards and Ben Robinson played hard and committed footy and Nathan Sajowitz just keeps improving week by week and was a revelation again in the backline.
The team gets a well deserved rest next week due to the bye and returns to the track the week after against Manly at Pittwater in their 10:00 AM clash.
Penrith Rams 13.18-96 defeated Holroyd Parramatta 1.3-9
PENRITH
Goal Kickers: J. Spicer 3, J. Weller 3, N. Edwards 2, J. Ponton 2, H. Mulligan, B. Robinson, R. Johnson
Best Players: J. King-Smith, M. Payne, N. Sajowitz, J. Ponton, B. Robinson, N. Edwards
Last Modified on 23/04/2010 21:59