The deferred Round 9 games against Moorebank Sports finally got underway at Greygums Oval yesterday, with the Magpies sending all three sides out to Rams territory.
Unfortunately, Penrith ran into far stronger sides on the day in both the Seniors and Reserves, with only the Under 18s being able to fly the victors' flag.
Final scores were:
Senior Grade
Moorebank Sports 13.7 (85) d Penrith 6.5 (41)
Goals: D. Cummings 2, D. Siljanoski, B. Robinson, T. Corless, M. Payne
Best: M. McNamara, N. Allison, B. Roney, B. Robinson, M. Woodford, J. Keane
Reserve Grade
Moorebank Sports 12.14 (86) d Penrith 2.2 (14)
Goals: J. Ware, J. Bradley
Best: B. Skepper, N. White, J. Weller, J. Shelley, M. Bottrill, J. Ware
Under 18s
Penrith 21.12 (138) d Moorebank Sports 3.10 (28)
Goals: B. McGovern 6, D. Schroot 5, L. Murphy 3, R. Ooms 2, L. Simmons, M. Reardon, N. Adams, M. Payne, C. Hislop
Best: L. Murphy, J. Ponton, D. Schroot, H. Stibbard, C. Hislop, J. Colquhoun
Match reports to follow.
Next week, all three grades are away - Senior Grade travels to Bruce Purser Reserve to take on East Coast Eagles, whilst the Under 18s and Reserves both make the trek to Pittwater No 6 Oval to play Manly-Warringah.
First Grade
After last week's washout, it was glorious winter's day at Greygums with the top of the table clash in the main match. Penrith went into the match with three players unavailable due to prior commitments whilst Moorebank face the same scenario.
Moorebank started with a stiffening breeze at their back but within a few minutes, the Rams put the first goal on the board. The Magpies hit back quickly in a frantic first quarter to slowly gain the upper hand in adding five for the session whilst the Rams added one of their own.
The second quarter saw the Rams constant forages into their opponents fifty thwarted by great defence from the visitors but they managed to bridge the gap against the Pies with a two goal to one quarter to trail by just 14 points at the break.
Another two goals in the third stanza into the breeze kept Penrith in the running but Moorebank, with four of their own extended their lead to 27 with the final 22 minutes remaining.
The experience of the Magpies filtered through in the final quarter and the Rams had no answer as their opponents piled on another three unanswered goals with greater defence and attacking skills. The valiant Rams had dropped just their third game of the year with a 44 point defeat at the hands of the premiership favourites.
Coach Tate, although disappointed with the final result, encouraged the team in the debrief. The Pies backline had held true to their brilliant defensive record with their impressive structure. Tate relayed the upside of the young team as the second half of the season gets into swing with further improvement expected to come with more experience.
Max McNamara was the standout on the day. The big back was the recipient of the "IGA Signature " Award for his outstanding display, constantly denying his opponents with great clearances. Nathan Allison continued his impressive form with a non-stop display and was rewarded with the "Red Cow Inn" Award. Interesting to note that both are first year players with Penrith after a few years layoff from their junior football days. Bryce Roney, a late call-up to the side, excelled in the backline and never put a foot wrong all day and guarded the goals as intensely as he protected his sambucca's a couple of nights earlier. Ben Robinson again was all heart with a relentless display whilst ruckman Mark Woodford and Fullback John Keane both put in solid games. Dave Cummings was the only Rams multiple scorer with a double.
The team still retain their second spot on the ladder and face East Coast at Bruce Purser next week, who are in the running for a final's spot and will be looking to avenge their loss to the Rams earlier this season.
Moorebank Sports 13.7 (85) d Penrith 6.5 (41)
Goals: D. Cummings 2, D. Siljanoski, B. Robinson, T. Corless, M. Payne
Reserve Grade
With Moorebank in sixth spot on the ladder just one win away from the second placed Rams, a tough encounter waqs expected at Greygums. Both sides fielded the maximum 22 players and it was Penrith winning the toss and electing to go with the breeze.
The Rams dominated the first quarter and goals to Jason Ware and Jason Bradley looked to hold the home team in good stead. Moorebank lacked accuracy with for one-pointers with Penrith holding a 13 point lead at the first break.
However, the tide turned in the second quarter with Moorebank piling on four goals against the Rams, who were unable to find their targets with some scrappy passages of play.
The second half saw things go from bad to worse with Penrith not using the wind to their advantage as Moorebank ran riot scoring eight more goals against just a single point to the home side. It seemed a lack of cohesion and some poor decision making was their worst enemy.
As the half way mark to the season is now upon us, the enthusiasm needs to return. The falloff in training was evident and certainly took its toll.
Brain Skepper was voted best on the day with the "IGA " Award whilst hardworking Nathan White never got a break in the backline and was the recipient of the "Red Cow Inn" Award. Justin Weller, Jake Shelley, Michael Bottrill and Jason Ware all put in solid displays.
It gets no easier next week as the Rams travel to Pittwater to take on second placed Manly. The Rams hold equal third spot but are sixth on percentages.
Moorebank Sports 12.14 (86) d Penrith 2.2 (14)
Goals: J. Ware, J. Bradley
Under 18's
The Under 18's bandwagon rolled on last Saturday in scoring another comprehensive win against Moorebank Sports at Greygums. The Magpies had hit form with wins at their last two outings, the latest against finals aspirants, Holroyd-Parramatta. With both teams fielding 18 aside with a full bench under good conditions, it wasn't long before the home team took control.
A five goal quarter into the breeze against a lone Magpies goal showed their opponents that they were there to play. The Rams are yet to play two competition games in consecutive weeks.
With another four goals piled on in the second session, Moorebank still played enthusiastically, but were no match for the rampaging home side.
Things didn't improve in the second half for the visitors with Penrith poring on the heat with another six majors in each quarter. Moorebank stayed true and were able to put respectability with two late goals but as the final siren sounded, it was a comprehensive 110 point win to the home side to keep their unbeaten record intact.
Liam Murphy played his best game to date and was rewarded with the "IceBreak" cash award. The first year Rams player and representative player was outstanding with tree goals and set up a few more. Liams former Penrith Swans teammate, Jack Ponton, also played his best of the season to take out the "Goullburn Valley" Award. Captain Daniel Schroot led the team by inspiration and added five goals to his tally whilst former Blue Mountains Kangaroo Campbell Hislop, playing his first game of the year, showed what depth the team will have in the second half of the season. "veterans" Harley Stibbard and James Colquhoun also put in solid displays whilst Ben McGoven had his kicking boots on with six goals and Rick Ooms chipping in with two.
Next week sees the team travel to Pittwater for the match against Manly. Manly forfeited in the earlier round but hopefully they will be able to field a team on their home patch. The game starts at 12:00 PM.
Penrith 21.12 (138) d Moorebank Sports 3.10 (28)
Goals: B. McGovern 6, D. Schroot 5, L. Murphy 3, R. Ooms 2, L. Simmons, M. Reardon, N. Adams, M. Payne, C. Hislop
Best: L. Murphy, J. Ponton, D. Schroot, H. Stibbard, C. Hislop, J. Colquhoun
Last Modified on 23/06/2010 19:17