IGA Penrith Rams staged a "come from behind" win against Campbelltown at Monarch Oval on Saturday to be equal comp leaders. With the Blues kicking the first goal of the match, it appeared that they were going to be tough opponents but Penrith would have none of that as they raced away for a 106 point win. Reserves kept their record intact with a win over Camden whilst the 18's are top of the table.
First Grade V Campbelltown - Monarch Oval
A tough affair was expected as the two combatants who both recorded ten goals plus wins last week in the opening round took to the field under perfect conditions. A few injuries meant some shuffling of last weeks team with Nathan Gatt, Albaron Savanah and Jake Shelley stepping up from reserves as well as Under 18's players, Matty Payne and Adam Sharp being late inclusions.
The first quarter saw what was expected with Campbelltown grabbing the first goal of the match before Penrith hit back with with a quick double. The Blues took advantage of another Rams error and quickly levelled up the goal count but with four behinds, Penrith found themselves four in front at the first change but needed to lift their basic skills levels to be in the game.
With Under 18's mentors, Geoff Payne and Craig Sharp running the team from the sidelines and coach Kevin Tate in constant contact from his dugout in Mexico City, the boys suddenly clicked in the second stanza. Dean Siljanoski started the roll with a major in the first minute followed by an angled six pointer that came back in the breeze to Blake Roberts as the team surged to a six goal quarter against the Town who could only manage a single behind in the 22 minutes of footy.
Captain Lachie Smith addressed the buoyant side in the sheds at the long break reminding them that the task was well from being completed whilst another tequila based message came through from Mexico from Kevin reminding the boys that their fitness levels should enable them to keep the momentum rolling.
Despite conceding an easy goal in the third quarter, Penrith added another five to their tally to seemingly put the game out of their opponents reach with a ten goal advantage.
Penrith took full control of the final quarter with the Blues looking to slow the game down with some short backwards chips to each other but every mistake was seized upn by the Rams who piled on another six goals and kept their dejected opposition scoreless and when the final siren sounded, it was an impressive 106 point victory recorded to the visitors.
Coach Kevin Tate, currently on a study tour in the US and Mexico with fellow committee member Paul Crisfield, a large group from IGA-Metcash and a representative from sponsors Goulburn Valley, was ecstatic with the final scoreline. "Congratulate all the boys" was the text message. "They made my trip". A rather big call as the night before the group had been VIP guests at Hugh Hefners Playboy Mansion before flying to Mexico the next morning. A few tequila's were certainly slammed down on the other side of the world to celebrate the win.
The IGA "Best on Ground" award was given to 18's player, Matthew Payne for a tireless display after only being a late inclusion into the side. Matt continually brushed off defenders before giving pin-point accurate disposals to his team-mates. Warhorse Dave "Braddles" Bradley again knocked himself to a point of exhaustion with a display that saw him awarded the $50 Red Cow Bottle Shop voucher. Jake Shelley made a great debut in firsts. The young convert from rugby was expected to reach the senior side this season, but was a late inclusion to the team and grabbed the opportunity gleefully with both hands along with elevated former soccer player, Nathan Gatt. Mitch Reinhard, John Keane and Bryce Roney led the defence and negated any attempt by the Blues in keeping them to under 20 points whilst ruckman Mark Woodford, with no pressing commitments to finish the game this week, completely outplayed his opposite number. Ben Robinson played his usual ultra consistent game along with Tim Cummins and Dean Siljanoski whilst Blake Roberts continued last weeks brilliant form and was rewarded with another four goals to see him lead the pack in goalscoring in the Sydney AFL competition after last week's five goal haul.
Next week the team will need to bring all their skills with them when the play at the new Blacktown Stadium #1 Ground against East Coast Eagles, a club that has enjoyed tremendous success in recent years (With the help of many former Penrith players, it should be mentioned). The game will certainly be an indication of the Rams finals aspirations and all supporters are strongly encouraged to attend iat this great facility.
Penrith Rams 19.11-125 defeated Campbelltown Blues 3.1-19
Goals: Blake Roberts (4) Tim Cummins (3) Ben Robinson (3) Jake Shelley (2) Dean Siljanoski (2) Lachlan Smith (1) Nathan Allison (1) Nathan Gatt (1) Albaron Savanah (1) David Bradley (1)
Reserve Grade V Camden Cats - Harrington Park
The reserves strutted their stuff on the other side of Campbelltown when they took on the revitalised Camden Cats at Harrington Park in the midday fixture.
It was always going to be an interesting affair with the Cats going down narrowly to last years prelim finalists, Nor-West, in round one and the Rams coming off a big ten goal win against Uni NSW Bulldogs.
With newcomers Seltene Yohannes and Michael Gapps making their debut along with Anthony Edwards playing his first Rams match after a major heart operation, as well as Alex Henry and Alan Prowse playing their first games of the season, the team got off to a shaky start with Camden dominating the opening session. However, innacuracy from the home side proved a blessing for the Rams with Camden only able to convert one of their eight scoring shots with the Rams securing a narrow lead with a 3.1 quarter. African refugee, Seltene Yohannes, kicked off his AFL career with the first goal of the match.
The rot continued for the Cats in the second quarter with just another lone goal along with four behinds. Coach Mark Jackson with disappointed with the lack of discipline that allowed Camden to stay in touch with a few free kicks awarded. The Rams, however, took advantage with a three goal (1 behind) to go to the sheds with a fifteen point lead.
With injured players, Jason Bradley and Brad Pathius running the full squad from the sidelines and emergencies Brent Venables and Reece Johnson as runners, the boys worked hard and started running much better. Players were also manning up much better thanh in the first half in the somewhat scrappy game to gain a little more ascendancy in the third stanza to edge another twelve points in front but victory was still another long twenty two minutes away.
With both teams feeling the effect of the early afternoon heat and Camden trying to lift for their final effort, both teams recorded a 3 goal 2 behind quarter and the margin remained unchanged when the final siren sounded to give the Rams their second win and a perfect record with a twenty seven point victory. Historian Mark Spooner noted that it was the first ever "27 point" victory in the Rams 29 year history.
Nathan White had a very solid game at fullback and was rewarded with the "IGA" Player of the match and took home the bundle of vouchers whilst former Penrith Swans junior Josh Hall was able to celebrate the win with a few ales in winning the "Red Cow" Bottle Shop Award with his constant running from the backline. Justin Weller had the ball on a string in the second half with Craig Ives also impressing. Alex Henry showed he will be in the mix for promotion during the season along withTom Hall also provided plenty of run with his pace. Alan Prowse showed courage in his opening game with veteran Jason Ware, appoaching 300 clubs games for the Rams was again effective kicking a double. Head coach Kevin Tate was keeping in touch from Mexico City and was greatly relieved and excited that the boys dug deep when the going got tough to keep the clubs unbeaten record in 2010 intact.
Next week the team faces it's toughest test to date when they take on their co-leaders, Auburn, at Blacktown Olympic Park. Auburn have won both their 2010 matches by around 100 points and the premiership favourites will certainly provide the biggest test to date for the Rams.
Penrith Rams 11.5-71 def Camden Cats 5.14-44
Goals: Jason Ware (2) Alan Prowse (2) Alex Henry (2) Tom Hall (1) David Cummings (1) Justin Weller (1) Michael Gapps (1) Seltene Yohannes (1)
Under 18's V Southern Power - Monarch Oval
A disappointing start to the much anticipated opening match against Grand Finalists for the last two years, Southern Power, informing the Rams at 7:00 PM on Friday Night that they were unable to field the minimum numbers and forfeited the match.
After two rounds the team are yet to play a match after Riverview withdrew their team on the eve of round 1 but can be assured that East Coast will finally give the team a match at Blacktown Olympic Park next week.
On the bright side, The Rams are now competition leaders with the forfeit rule giving them a 96.5 to nil win based on scores from other matches played in round two.
It is obvious that the league needs to look long and hard at the fragility of this competition in an effort to retain players in the future.
Penrith Rams 96.5 defeated Southern Power Nil
Last Modified on 02/05/2010 15:59