Penrith Rams commenced the 2011 season with a bang with a 67 point win over last years Div 3 Premiers, Moorebank Sports at Monarch Oval on Saturday. In the early fixture, Penrith turned around a 90 point loss the last time they met 2011 Grand Finalists to record a heart stopping five point win against the Magpies in the Div 4 Match.
The Under 18's can hold their heads very high after their debut Premier Cup clash against powerhouse club, Pennant Hills, after a nervous opening quarter. The young Rams matched it with the Demons for the final three quarters finally going down by thirty three points.
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First Grade V Moorebank Sports - Monarch Oval
With the opening round of the 2011 competition a "home" game, Penrith had to travel deep into Moorebank territory at Monarch Oval for the round one clash with the unavailability of Greygums Oval for the expected fierce battle of the 2010 Grand Finalists.
A solid squad was selected from the wealth of talent available this season as the Rams took to the field with strong blustering winds running across the huge expanses of the ground. The opening session saw the Rams assert control from the opening bounce and make good inroads to the Pies territory. Ben Robinson, Tim Cummins and Dale Chivas all scored majors in the tough going whilst the defence stood firm in allowing just two single pointers to their rivals. In a sour note, talented forward Blake Roberts suffered a shocking hand injury and had to be taken to Liverpool Hospital for surgery.
It was Moorebank who took the initiative in the opening minutes of the second stanza with a quick goal and with another shortly after, from a 50 metre free, it looked as though a titanic struggle was in the making. The Rams, however, fought back strongly with Chivas and Robinson adding another each to see Penrith take a 22 point buffer at the big break.
It was all calmness and confidence in the shed at the break with coach Geoff Payne content with the commitment of the team. He asked the boys to back themselves in a contest and continue in attacking mode with full confidence in the backline if things went astray.
In the difficult conditions, Penrith came out running in the third quarter and took up most of the play. It was only the usual strong Moorebank defence that stopped the scoreboard ticking over as Josh Anasis and young John Spicer added six pointers to the scorecard but the focus was on the fact that Moorebank failed to add any more to their half time tally.
The Rams left their best quarter to the final one with constant forays into their opponents forward line. Daniel Schroot made his mark in his debut first grade match by picking up a double, tayt Corless his first after a good grab in front of the sticks and Josh Anasis added his second. Moorebank just managed a single point, their first for the half as the final siren saw the Rams record a convincing 67 point win.
It would be arrogance to suggest the match was a "Grand Final Replay" as nothing ever makes up for a loss in the ultimate game of the year, but a round one win over the Premiers certainly is a great consolation prize and augers well for the future. Both clubs have come a long way from where they were a few years ago with discipline and professionalism a key factor
The team played with pride and commitment after a gruelling pre-season. Bryce Roney continued his great 2010 form with a brilliant perfomance going hard at the ball and his long kicking game certainly negated any proposed Moorebank attack. Nathan Wright made a great return to the Rams and was suited to the huge ground with searching attack and pin point deliveries. Jimmy Denton was sensational in his first match in the teal, continually busting through the pack. Adam Sharp performed with distinction against the older and more experienced opponents coming from last year's unstoppable 18's outfit whilst the older brigade of Mark Woodford and captain Dave Bradley played inspirational games.
Next week the teams travels to Sydney Uni to take on the Students in what should be a great battle with Sydney Uni opening up their account against Nor-West in round 1.
Penrith Rams 3.3 5.6 8.8 12.10-82 def Moorebank Sports 0.2 2.2 2.2 2.3-15
Goal Kickers: D. Chivas 2, J. Anasis 2, T. Cummins 2, D. Schroot 2, B. Robinson 2, T. Corless , J. Spicer
Best Players: B. Roney, N. Wright, A. Sharp, M. Woodford, D. Bradley, J. Denton
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Reserve Grade V Moorebank Sports - Monarch Oval
When the two teams last met in round two of the 2010 competition, Penrith suffered a humiliating 90 point defeat by last year's grand finalists. Although Penrith had their best record for over two decades last year with eleven wins, the loss was their worst and it was going to take some sort of a miracle to turn it around.
In tough, windy conditions at Monarch on Saturday, the Rams 22 took to the field after a tough selection process that saw a few players miss out due to excess numbers. It was very pleasing to see many of these players come down to help and support the selected team. After a promising start, the Rams went straight into attack but were unrewarded in the first quarter and it was Moorebank's class that saw them grab every opportunity with three goals to nil in what was really an even quarter.
The Rams steadied up better with improved cohesion the the second term with Jason Bradley taking strong marks to obtain a double. Moorebank however where not to be denied in matching goals and went to the big break holding a comfortable 17 point lead, one which was going to be difficult to peg back in the conditions. Coach Kevin Tate has had a difficult week with coaching commitments, work and welcoming a new addition to the family, but was on hand to give a somewhat animated plea to the players to step up to the task ahead in his half time address.
The Rams started to lift their effort in the third with a three goal haul, but still with all the chasing ahead as Moorebank added two of their own. With the final quarter looming, Moorebank were clinging to a two goal buffer.
The final twenty minutes saw both teams going hard at it. Penrith were the steadier as they clawed back the deficit and evened up the scoreboard with ten minutes left on the clock. At the five minute mark, the Pies grabbed a behind to take the lead back and looked certain to hold onto it as the ball drifted around the midfield. With less than a minute on the clock, the rams made one last charge with resulted in Alex Rogers booting one of the ground and despite a desperate dive by the Pies fullback, squeezed over the line my a couple of millimetres. With the siren sounding as the ball returned to the centre for the restart, Penrith had hit the lead for the first time in the match and a five point win.
The jubilation of the win was shared by the team, officials and supporters in a great opening match to the season.
Reece Johnson, a late acceptor in the game, was judged best on ground with a polished display. Nathan Rowley also impressed with a strong game after some niggling injuries during the pre-season. Debut AFL player, Michael Basham has adapted to the game quickly and looks to have a strong future whilst South Coast recruit Mitch Renehan, playing in the ruck was outstanding. Experienced campaigners Adam West and Mark Jackson were also impressive. Club stalwart, Jason 'Jabba" Bradley and Michael basham shared the kicking honours with a double each whilst Mitch Renehan, Paul Borsato, Adam West and Alex Rogers chipped in with one each
It doesn't get any easier next week with the rare Sunday game at Dukes Oval when the team plays Uni NSW. The Bulldogs recorded an impressive win themselves over Nor-West on Saturday and a tough game is expected.
Penrith Rams 0.2 2.3 5.3 8.4-52 def Moorebank Sports 3.1 5.2 7.3 7.5-47
Goal Kickers: J. Bradley 2, M. Basham 2, M. Renehan , A. Rogers , A. West , P. Borsato
Best Players: R. Johnson, N. Rowley, M. Basham, M. Jackson, M. Renehan, A. West
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Under 18's V Pennant Hills Demons- University Oval
The Penrith Rams Under 18’s travelled to Macquarie Uni today to take on Pennant Hills in the Rams first ever Premier Cup match. With new coach Rob Murie in charge, the boys were excited and nervous leading into this historic match. It was a tough job for the coaching staff to reduce the squad to the final 22 players who would run out for the Rams today and the boys who were selected made the most of their opportunity.
Conditions were blustery and the Demons kicked with a strong breeze in the first quarter. The Rams started out strongly with Jack Ponton, George Paneras and Harry Doyle working hard in the midfield but with the aid of a strong breeze the Demons team work got through the Rams defence and they kicked away to lead by 6 goals at quarter time. Coach Murie kept things calm at quarter time reminding the boys that they had the advantage of kicking with the breeze in the second quarter. The Rams continued to improve their teamwork in the second quarter and kicked a couple of goals with James Devlin and Rick Ooms making their presence felt up forward. While the Rams had most of the play, Pennant Hills won more clearances than the Rams and made the most of their opportunities kicking 2 goals against the breeze. The Demons maintained their 6 goal lead at half time.
The Rams did not get the results on the scoreboard they hoped for in the second quarter so with the Demons kicking with the wind again in the third quarter the message at half time was to really work hard in defence and restrict the Demons scoring. The Rams started strongly and not only restricted the Demons to 3 goals for the quarter but the Rams worked to move the ball through the centre of the ground and kicked 3 goals for the quarter against the wind to maintain the margin at 6 goals going into the last quarter. With a quarter to go and the Rams kicking with the aid of the breeze the Rams were in with a chance. The Rams worked hard in the last quarter and outscored the Demons but could only reduce the margin to 33 points at the final siren.
Tom Noble played an excellent game in defence for the Rams. He was outstanding in marking contests and continually repelled the Demons attack and sent the Rams forward. David Looyschelder and Matt Purse played tirelessly in the ruck and were well supported by midfielders Ponton, Doyle and Paneras. Liam Murphy played well providing an option for the Rams around the ground. The Rams forward line functioned well today with Nick Adams and Ben McGovern providing options for the Rams attacking moves. Jackson Swarbrick and Brayden Wilson also provided options for the Rams and worked hard defensively.
It was a very promising performance today and they will only get better as the weeks go by. The Rams take on the ladder leaders North Shore next Sunday at Dukes Oval and are looking forward to the challenge.
Penrith Rams 0.3 2.3 5.4 6.6-42 def by Pennant Hills Demons 6.3 8.4 11.6 11.9-75
Goal Kickers: J. Devlin 3, B. McGovern 2, L. Murphy
Best Players: J. Ponton, T. Noble, J. Devlin, G. Paneras, H. Doyle, R. Ooms
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Last Modified on 29/05/2011 16:51