In a great day, all Rams sides tasted success today.
At Pittwater No 6 Oval, the 18s started the day with a 154 point walloping of Manly-Warringah.
At the same venue, Reserve Grade's 10 point win over the Wolves was its first over that club in nearly 28 years.
And to round off the day, Senior Grade recorded a comfortable 45 point win over East Coast Eagles at Purser Reserve.
First Grade
Penrith Rams V East Coast Eagles at Bruce Purser Reserve
Penrith took to the road on Saturday and travelled to Rouse Hill in an attempt to turn around last weeks loss to Moorebank. The Rams went into the match with Dean Siljanoski being a late withdrawal and fielded 21 players.
After winning the toss and electing to go with a slight "cross field" wind advantage, a tight struggle was expected against the team they had beaten by 31 points in the round two clash at Blacktown Olympic Park. After five minutes, Baron Savanah opened up the account when he slotted a set shot between the big sticks and shortly after, Dave Cummings added another to set the ball rolling. Penrith added another two with Cummings and a booming Tim Cummins goal whilst the Eagles put two on their side of the ledger with the Rams holding a slight eleven point lead at the first break.
Penrith dominated the second quarter in the midfield with hard work and commitment as they went into attack mode. John Keane and Bryce Roney workd the defensive line well when East Coast went forward and negated any attempt to get back into the contest. A goal to the home side in the last seconds of the half was their only bright spot as the Teals surged to a 24 point lead when they retired to the sheds. The coaching staff were positive that the team had the measure of the Eagles on their home patch but relayed that they couldn't lie down as their opponents had finished strongly in their earlier encounter to put a scare in them when they got within two goals of the team in the Blacktown game.
It was a hard fought tussle in the third quarter with both sides kicking long as the game opened up. Some innacurate kicking by Penrith saw them kicking a 2.3 term but the defence again stood strong with East Coast managing just a single goal with Jakeman King-Smith and John Keane being ferocious in the defensive line.
The final twenty two minutes showed the team at their best as they controlled the play in continual forays into the Eagles forward fifty. It was only a massive penalty count against them that allowed the Eagles to stay in the match with another three goals against the home teams one as the Rams went on to record an impressive forty five point win.
Coach Kevin Tate was convinced pre-match that the team was focussed on getting back in the winners list and with a hard two sessions at training during the week, was happy with the commitment shown as they registered their seventh win of the season. Tate had reinforced the fact that it was the players season from here on in as they head towards a rare finals appearance but with plenty of hard work still to be done.
Ben Robinson has been one of the Rams most consistent players all yaer and again put in a non stop display in winning the "IGA" Award. The smallest member of the squad with the Phar Lap heart is relishing senior football and his hard work on the training track has been inspirational to the side. Captain Lachie Smith led the troops well as always and took out the "Red Cow Inn" award. Despite being devastated by the damage done to his treasured number 26 jersey, Lachie put that aside to play another outstanding game. Max McNamara and Nathan Allison both revelled in returning the the area where they played their junior football to stamp their authority along with evergreen "Nurse" Dave Bradley and current Rams "Dancing with the Sambucca's" winner Bryce Roney also putting in big performances. Dave Cummings again took the kicking honours with five with Blake Roberts the other multiple scorer with a double.
With the win securing second spot on the ladder, the team takes the trek to Gipps Rd next week to take on Holroyd-Parramatta in another "must win" match.
Penrith 12.7 (79) d East Coast Eagles 5.4 (34)
Goal Kickers: D. Cummings 5, B. Roberts 2, A. Savanah , T. Cummins , T. Corless , J. Anasis , N. Allison
Best Players: B. Robinson, L. Smith, M. McNamara, D. Bradley, B. Roney, N. Allison
Reserve Grade
Penrith Rams V Manly Wolves at Pittwater #6
"Deepwater, I'm caught up in it's flow
If I'm in over my head
I'd be the last to know"
Richard Clapton wrote the above in his 70's song "Deepwater" about the Northern Beaches. The Rams Reserves travelled to that location on Saturday and certainly looked to be in "over their heads" when they took on Manly Wolves who were running in second spot on the ladder. After a disappointing big loss to Moorebank Sports the previous week, Penrith faced Manly with a severly depleted squad. With two under 18's players named to play and the late minute inclusion of former 18's medallist, Brendan Cooke. Penrith were forced to call on a number of Under 18's who had just finished their earlier match to fill the side. They appeared to be in something more solid than deepwater, but as the song went, they were the last to know.
Despite having twice the scoring opportunities, Manly found themseleves down by two points in the first quarter with a stiff wind coming in off the coast. In a tight tussle, the second quarter ended with the same margin in favour of the Rams.
The second half saw the tide turn slightly in favour of the Wolves and they appeared to be getting the better of the visitors, going into the final quarter with twelve point lead, the biggest of any side on the day. With Penrith having experienced close wins this season, they were not going to waste their travel time with a loss and came home with the wind with a four goal final term to record a gutsy ten point victory against the odds.
It was a mixture of new and old that secured success for the Rams that sees their hopes for a final berth stay alive. Incredibly, Penrith had not tasted success in the senior grades in 28 years when they had made the long trek to the peninsular. First year Under 18's player, Nathan Walker, was sensational in his debut seniors match and showed the ferocity that the "Walker" name is legendary for in the Rams history book. Nathans' fellow former Penrith Swans junior team-mate, Daniel Schroot who backed up from the previous game showed outstanding fitness and skill, landing a double with the first two goals. Brian Skepper was again inspirational with his hard approach and motivational encouragement whilst veterans and Under 10's Emu Plains co-coaches, Jason Ware (5 goals) and Jon Barry followed up the success of their junior sides with sterling performances. It was very pleasing to see Brendan Cooke come into the team on the morning of the match. Brendan joined the defence force earlier this year and has just relocated to Sydney. The popular youngster showed that his time away from the paddock hasn't diminished his skills and is a welcome addition back to the Rams fold.
"The Sunday drivers are cruising round,
I wish they'd all go back to town,
What do they expect to find,
Sure as hell ain't peace of mind."
It was Penrith that found peace of mind after 28 years. Congratulations guys !
Next week the Reserves are on the road again but a short spin down the M4 to Greystanes to take on Holroyd Parramatta where they will looking for win number 8 in the season against the winless Goannas.
Penrith 8.5 (53) d Manly-Warringah 5.13 (43)
Goal Kickers: J. Ware 5, D. Schroot 2, M. Jackson
Best Players: N. Walker, B. Skepper, D. Schroot, B. Cooke, J. Barry, J. Ware
Under 18's
The Under 18's remained Penrith Rams "Jewel in the Crown" when they travelled to Narrabeen to take on equal second placed Manly. Over the years, it has usually been a fruitless expedition but things changed last year when the 18's thrashed Manly by over 100 points. With Manly having decided to forfeit the earlier round at Greygums Oval, the team didn't know what to expect.
After losing the toss, Penrith faced a strong headwind but it made little difference as they opened up with a six goal quarter, whilst restricting their opponents to just two behinds. The second term saw the Rams completely dominate with another five goals to have a match winning lead of seventy three with another two quarters to play.
The second half saw Manly score their only goal for the match from a 50 metre penalty. Whilst Penrith continued on their way with another thirteen goals to finish victors by 154 points, their biggest of the season.
Despite the huge win, the coaching staff did not get carried away. They were at times unhappy with the commitment shown but understood the difficulty in focusing in recent games given the blowout scores recorded by this team in recent matches.
2009 Most Improved Under 18’s player, James Colquhoun, was again prominent with his skills and bought off some great tackles. The former Blue Mountains Kangaroo junior was the winner of this week’s “IceBreak” cash award whilst full forward John Spicer who booted four, but more importantly handed off for a number of other scorers, was the recipient of the “Goulburn Valley” Award. Harley Stibbard worked non-stop and took home the “Freestyle Barber Shop” $30 Petrol Voucher. Matty Payne and Adam Sharp again provided great leadership in the centres whilst Liam Murphy continued his great efforts of recent weeks to again be amongst the best.
Next Saturday sees the team back on the road for an 8:30 AM match at Gipps Rd where they take on Holroyd-Parramatta. They have been successful against the Goanna’s already this season and should continue on their winning way if they keep their discipline.
Penrith Rams 24.20-164 def Manly Wolves 1.4-10
Goal Kickers: B. McGovern 6, M. Payne 4, J. Spicer 4, R. Ooms 2, M. Reardon 2, G. Tapping , H. Stibbard , C. Hislop , J. Ponton , L. Murphy , J. Colquhoun
Best Players: J. Colquhoun, J. Spicer, H. Stibbard, M. Payne, A. Sharp, L. Murphy
Next week, all three grades are away - but at the same venue. All grades travel to Gipps Road Oval on Saturday, 26th June to take on Holroyd-Parramatta on their home turf.
Next week, all three grades are away - but at the same venue. All grades travel to Gipps Road Oval on Saturday, 26th June to take on Holroyd-Parramatta on their home turf.
Last Modified on 04/07/2010 22:45