Sydney University maintained their unbeaten status on Saturday when they overcame Penrith Rams in an entertaining match at St Pauls Oval. With a goal or less the difference at each of the first three breaks, it was the Students who finished off the better to run away with the match with a seven goal final quarter in near perfect conditions posting a 16.4-100 score against the Rams 10.5-65.
The Under 18's could not match a white hot North Shore outfit at Sunday at Dukes Oval. The Bombers look the team to beat in this season's Premier Cup with an outstanding display, but the Rams can hold their heads high with their performance.
Reserve Grade ended round two with a convincing 90 point win over Uni NSW Bulldogs and with two from two wins this year, will be looking forward to next Saturday's "top of the table" clash with Manly at Dukes Oval.
First Grade V Sydney Uni at St Pauls Oval
Penrith Rams took to the road on Saturday for the match against Sydney University at the unusually shaped St Pauls Oval. With four players missing from last week’s impressive debut win against Moorebank, it was near perfect conditions with a slight breeze drifting across the field.
Penrith gained early ascendancy in the opening minutes with Josh Anasis crumbing a spilt ball and running into the square to post the first points. The next hour was going to be a see-sawing battle between the two clubs as Uni hit back posting their first shortly after. Good forward movements saw Dale Chivas post his first for the match with a booming kick, but the home side responded scoring two more to go to the first break with a six point buffer.
The second term, like the first, was played at a frantic pace with the visitors converting three of their five opportunities compliments of late replacement, Tom Hall, one to Ben Robinson and a great goal by the big man, Mark Woodford. With two to the students, Penrith had narrowed the gap to four as the teams went to the long break.
The titanic battle continued in the third as the ball flowed from end to end. Another boomer from Chivas saw the Rams hit the front, but Uni responded. A Mitch Reinhard major saw the Rams poke their bibs in front and a third by Chivas, after Uni had regained the lead again saw the scoreboard change. A late goal to the opponents saw the margin remain the same as the half time score.
Penrith were confident of finishing the game off in style, but the inner-city club had different ideas as they dominated the final term. Some concentration lapses saw Uni kick the next four goals before Anasis and Robinson each added one to their tallies. With a seven goal to two final quarter, the scoreboard didn’t reflect what happened on the field but it was Sydney Uni deserved victors on the day.
Dale Chivas was adjudged best on ground with a tireless display and took the kicking honours with three. Dave Bradley, who suffered a foot injury in the first quarter, realized things were more serious after removing his boots with his foot doubling in size. “Braddles” ended up on crutches after X-Rays have revealed ligament damage. Jay Edwards, in his return match for the club was also superb along with Nathan Wright with his many probing runs and fierce attacks in the contests. Matthew Payne and Nathan Allison were also impressive.
Next week, the team returns to Dukes Oval for the clash against the manly Wolves in what is expected to be another great match
Penrith Rams 2.0 5.2 8.4 10.5-65 def by Sydney Uni 3.0 6.0 9.2 16.4-100
Goal Kickers: D. Chivas 3, J. Anasis 2, B. Robinson 2, M. Reinhard , M. Woodford , T. Hall
Best Players: D. Chivas, D. Bradley, J. Edwards, N. Allison, N. Wright, M. Payne
Reserve Grade V Uni NSW/ES Bulldogs at Dukes Oval
The pressure was certainly on Reserve Grade in the final game of the weekend at Dukes Oval on Sunday. Penrith had not lost in all three grades since 2009 and it was up to the team to keep that record intact.
A good crowd were on hand under warm conditions but with threatening skies overhead, including NRL International, Petero Civoniceva who was spotted in the crowd after leading Penrith Panthers to a win the previous day.
The Rams got off to a flying start with good precise movements and quick deliveries to the forward line with Jason Bradley using his strength in the contests. The Rams established a twenty point lead at the first break and were to continue in the same mould in the second term with another four to exactly double that lead as the teams went to the sheds.
Coach Kevin Tate did not have to re-use last week's animated half time address but concentrated on reminding the players of their fitness edge and to not get carried away with the big lead they had establsihed.
The game opened up in the third quarter with penrith finding open spaces and putting the result out of any doubt as they posted a six goal to nil scoreline. Another three final term goals to the visitors only second half major saw the scoreboard extended in favour of the home side with an impressive ninety point victory and final the Rams song sung with gusto for the second time in as many outings this season.
Nic Collimore, in only his second AFL game, took out the best on ground honours with an inspiring performance along with two nice six-pointers. James Denton (1 goal) again impressed all with another tireless effort in the mid-field. Veteran Jason Bradley had a ball up front kicking seven. It was only changed tactics by the Uni side that kept his tally from getting to double figures in the second half. Sam Lockhart had a big game in the backline and as always, didn't take a backward step whilst Lachie Smith showed his class in his first game this season. Another AFL newcomer, Matthew Lewis performed well in his Rams debut and was rewarded with a great goal in the third quarter.
Next week, it's the "Top of the Table" clash against Manly, who dominated Auburn in the first round before resting with the bye on the weekend. The game starts at 12:00 Pm at Dukes Oval
Penrith Rams 4.4 8.7 14.8 17.14-116 def Uni NSW 1.2 2.3 2.7 3.8-26
Goal Kickers: J. Bradley 7, C. Triffitt 2, N. Collimore 2, R. Johnson , J. Denton , A. West , J. Power , M. Lewis , M. Basham
Best Players: N. Collimore, J. Denton, J. Bradley, S. Lockhart, L. Smith, M. Lewis
Under 18's V North Shore Bombers at Dukes Oval
A rare Sunday game saw the Rams take on the ladder leaders North Shore today at Dukes Oval. It was always going to be a tough assignment but the Rams were ready for the challenge. With a few injuries and several players unavailable the Rams were reduced to the bare 22 players this week. Tim Cullen and Will Taylor played their first game for the Rams today and both boys got involved in the play and gave 100% for the day.
North Shore were quick out of the blocks scoring at will in the first quarter kicking 6 goals straight before registering their first behind. The Rams played well during the first quarter with Jack Ponton and Brayden Wilson leading the way and although the Rams kicked 3 goals themselves they could not match the Bombers on the scoreboard going into the first break 4 goals down. The Rams midfielders were working well and several times pushed the Rams into attack and enabled them to kick goals. The second quarter saw the Rams come out with a better defensive effort which restricted the Bombers to 3 goals for the quarter. The Rams started their horror run of injuries for the day with Jack Ponton suffering a shoulder injury which kept him sidelined for the remainder of the day. Ben McGovern worked hard all day in the forward line and combined with Brayden Wilson to keep the Rams score moving forward. George Paneras battled hard in the midfield and continually won the ball for the Rams.
The third quarter saw the Bombers really take control of the game kicking 7 goals while the Rams could only manage 1. The Rams suffered further injuries with Shaun Stevens leaving the ground with concussion after a heavy knock to the head. Hayden Strong played well all day in the backline and combined well with Tom Noble and Greg Major to make things difficult for the North Shore forwards. The Bombers had a big lead going into the last quarter but the Rams did not give up kicking 3 goals to finish off the game. David Looyschelder suffered a leg injury and Will Taylor suffered a broken arm in the last quarter. The Rams were reduced to 16 fit players during the last quarter but to their credit they never gave up and played the game out to the final siren. Matt Purse played well in the last half taking several marks around the ground. Joe Hunt defended well all day and Jackson Swarbrick took on the Bombers at their own game. James Devlin, Liam Murphy and Ben Mayer tried hard all day for the Rams
It was a gutsy performance from the Rams today under difficult conditions and the boys will only get better as the weeks go by. The Rams take on UNSW next Saturday at Dukes Oval.
Penrith Rams 3.1 4.4 5.7 8.7-55 def by North Shore 7.1 10.6 17.8 23.11-149
Goal Kickers: B. McGovern 6, J. Devlin , J. Swarbrick
Best Players: B. Wilson, B. McGovern, H. Strong, J. Swarbrick, J. Hunt, G. Paneras
Last Modified on 29/05/2011 17:24