The Rams Under 18s have broken through for their first win of the season (in turn, their inaugural win since being promoted to the Premier Division competition). The boys defeated UNSW/ES 10.9 (69) to 8.6 (55) - congratulations!
Reserve Grade followed up with a convincing 91 point win over Manly-Warringah in their Division 4 clash - kicking an inaccurate 15.21 (111) to 3.2 (20).
Senior Grade finished off the day in grand style by defeating Manly-Warringah 16.13 (109) to 4.14 (38) in the Division 2 game, making it 2 out of 3 for the Rams.
After some overnight rain and early morning showers, the 18's took to the field in the winter conditions for the first match of the day. Celebrity spotters were again focussed on the good crowd which included former Swans coach Paul Roos, watching his son Dylan playing for the Bulldogs along with cricketer and TV presenter Mike Whitney. In a see-sawing match, Uni NSW looked to have the game in the bag in the second half when they strode to a sixteen point lead but the depleted Rams lifted in style to come away with their historic fourteen point victory.
Reserve Grade fielded a strong side and six goal opening session laid the foundation to topple ladder leaders Manly Wolves by ninety one points and now find themselves at the top of the table.
First Grade were under pressure as they were attempting to get back on track after last week's loss to Sydney Uni in the main match at 2:10 PM. A seven goal to one first half in the rugged match in which no player took a backward step set up an impressive twelve goal win against the inaccurate Wolves to give the Rams a trifecta on the day and puts the team into second spot on the ladder.
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Match Reports
Under 18's V Uni NSW/ES Bulldogs at Dukes Oval
The young Rams awoke this morning to be greeted by drizzly winter conditions. It was Saturday morning at Dukes Oval and the Rams were looking for their first win of the season. Uni of NSW/East Sydney Bulldogs made the trek along the M4 to Penrith in search of their first win of the season. A blockbuster was assured and it was a tough hard fought encounter in difficult conditions that was not decided until the final seconds of the match.
The Rams started the game well and opened up a 3 goal lead half way through the first quarter. Jackson Swarbrick was working hard all over the ground and kicked a goal for the Rams. George Paneras started the game well and made the most of the wet conditions chasing everything and fighting hard all day. Not to be outdone UNSW fought back late in the first quarter to kick 3 goals and reduce the Rams lead to 1 point at quarter time.
The second quarter saw the Rams struggle for accuracy up forward kicking 1 goal 4 behinds for the quarter while the Bulldogs made the most of their opportunities with 2 goals 1 behind. The Bulldogs headed into the half time break with a 2 point lead. Jack Ponton was injured in the second quarter and took no further part in the game. Liam Murphy also suffered a game ending injury before half time and the Rams were 2 short on the bench for the remainder of the game.
The second half was always going to be tough for the Rams and it would require a big effort from everyone if the Rams were to remain competitive. The third quarter was an even affair with the Rams kicking 3 goals to the Bulldogs 2 and the Rams went into the three quarter time break with a slender 4 point lead. The wet conditions did not suit James Devlin today and after a quiet first half coach Rob Murie moved him to the backline where James continually drove the Rams into attack. He set up several goals from the back half and kicked 2 himself. The return of Ben Priest boosted the Rams backline and he combined well with Tom Noble to repel the Bulldogs attack. Rick Ooms led the way up forward with 3 goals and was assisted by Ben McGovern with 2 goals. Brayden Wilson played an exceptional game again and dominated all over the ground. Matt Purse shouldered most of the ruckwork for the Rams today and did an exceptional job in difficult conditions. Joe Hunt worked hard in the backline. Cameron Forrest played his first game for the Rams today and never took a backward step all day. Ben Mayer flashed in and out of the game all day and popped up to kick a goal. Liam Murphy played his best game of the year today and was instrumental in the Rams first half.
The Rams continued to work right to the final siren kicking 3 goals in the last quarter to stretch their lead to 14 points and record their first win of the season. The Rams have a week off next week before they take on St George on 30 April when the Rams will be searching for their second win of the year.
Penrith Rams 3.3 4.7 7.9 10.9-69 def University NSW/Eastern Suburbs Bulldogs 3.2 5.3 7.5 8.7-55
Goal Kickers: R. Ooms 3, J. Devlin 2, B. McGovern 2, J. Swarbrick , B. Mayer , L. Jones
Best Players: G. Paneras, B. Wilson, M. Purse, J. Devlin, T. Noble, L. Murphy
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Reserve Grade V Manly-Warringah Wolves at Dukes Oval
After two good wins in the opening rounds of the Div 4 competition, Penrith faced up to ladder leader Manly in what was expected to be a low scoring, torrid affair in the wet condition.
Another strong squad were selected on the day played under overcast skies but surprisingly good conditions after some overnight rain.
The Rams got off to a great start with a five goal opening term (six behinds) that stunned the competition leaders Manly who failed to improve on their starting score. Penrith piled on the pressure in the second session but a disturbing nine behinds were recorded with just one major being penned in whilst the Wolves kicked their first point of the game. A neat fifty point buffer at the major break saw the pumped up team staring in the face of a big victory.
The Rams continued the onslaught with another handful of majors in the third stanza but the Wolves played with a little more pride in posting their first two of the match as the heavy ball started to take it's toll on the players skill levels. It was pleasing that the fitness of the boys shone through as they finished off the game in good style with a final 4.5 quarter and the defence only allowing a single scoring opportunity to the shell-shocked Northern Beaches visitors.
Coach Kevin Tate was upbeat after going three from three and is confident after his successes with the 18's and First Grade in the previous two year of coaching those two teams into finals spots that this team can shake off the Reserve Grade bogey that has not seen the team compete in finals football since 1993.
Hardman Sam Lockhart took out the best on ground with relentless attack and big hits whilst newcomer Matthew Lewis showed his solid debut AFL debut last week was no fluke with an outstanding display including kicking a double. Gordon Howell was all over the loose ball in his first game this season and will improve when he reaches full fitness. Stalwarts Mark Jackson and Christian Triffitt were impressive and their experience inspired the younger players whilst "tall" Aaron Goodwin, who came out of retirement after last playing in the Rams 2002 Under 18's victory also impressed.
Ten different players scored six pointers on the day with Josh Anasis, Jason Bradley, Tayt Corless, Jacob Clark and Matthew Lewis all chiming in with two each
With the general bye next week (Easter) and the team having another bye the week after, the stage will be set for the clash of the only two unbeaten teams on May 7 when Penrith face up to Macquarie University at University Oval
Penrith Rams 5.6 6.15 11.16 15.21 - 111 def Manly Warringah Wolves 0.0 0.1 2.2 3.2-20
Goal Kickers: M. Lewis 2, J. Clark 2, J. Bradley 2, J. Anasis 2, T. Corless 2, G. Howell , A. Savanah , M. Jackson , J. Chapple , C. Triffitt
Best Players: S. Lockhart, M. Lewis, G. Howell, M. Jackson, A. Goodwin, C. Triffitt
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First Grade V Manly-Warringah Wolves at Dukes Oval
The pressure was on the first grade side on Saturday at Dukes Oval. After last week's loss to Sydney Uni and not wanting to be the only Rams team on the day not returning to the winner's stall. Manly were looking to keep their unbeaten record intact after wins over Camden and the strong multi-cultural Auburn team and were certainly stoked up for the clash under slippery conditions.
The loss of Hart Medallist Matthew Payne (ankle) on match eve was a blow to the side which commenced in overcast conditions, with the rain staying at bay.
It was the Rams who dominated proceedings besides getting some big hits from the Manly boys with Dale Chivas and Tim Cummins both chiming in with doubles against a solitary Wolves six pointer to storm to a twenty two point lead at the first break.
With a real contest developing between players from each side as the hits got bigger, the Rams kept the scoreboard ticking over with Ben Robinson cleaning up a loose ball for a goal and shortly after adding another with a tough angled short from the boundary line after a big grab whilst Cummins added another to his tally. An on-going battle with Nathan Allison and his opposing counterpart Angry Anderson saw play spill over the sideline as the siren ended the first half with the Rams holding a defining forty point lead.
The big hits continued in the third term as both sides went hammer and tongs but again it was the more disciplined home side that took the honours on the scoreboard with Tim Cummins adding another two to his impressive tally, Chivas one and a rare Nathan Allison major to the disgust of his opposite number. With Manly only being able to penetrate the big sticks once, the locals had put the game out of reach with a fifty six point lead.
The final session saw play open up as the ball went from end to end. Sixteen scoring shots were recorded but it was the more accurate Penrith team with 5.3 that ran away with the match against a 2.6 quarter from the Northern Beaches visitors for a final seventy one point win with Chivas taking his final tally to five with another couple, John Spicer kicking two and an exuberant Mark Woodford booting a boomer.
Coach Geoff Payne was jubilant after his team's return to the winning list. "It was a tough encounter especially in the conditions. The boys never took a backward step against the tough Manly side and it was pleasing to see them rewarded on the scoreboard" he commented
New recruit Brad Redfern was outstanding in the backline in debut Rams match. Good decision making and probing runs from the big backman keeping the Wolves score at a minimum. Young Daniel Schroot revelled in the going with pace and elusive play along with his 2010 Under 18's team-mate Harley Stibbard whose fitness is being put to good use. Harley was rewarded with the jersey wash after the match which should put paid to the rest of the weekend for him. The captaincy duo of Dale Chivas and David Bradley also set the stage for the win with their inspiration, Chivas kicking five along with Tim Cummins whilst Braddles, on crutches earlier in the week and looking at a long layoff, made a miraculous return to the field this week to lead the team to sing the Rams song for the third time on the day.
With the Easter bye next week giving the team time to get over niggling injuries suffered in the opening three rounds, the Rams now sit second on the ladder with the St George match at Olds park on April 30 promising to be another tough encounter.
Penrith Rams 4.5 7.8 11.10 16.13-109 def Manly Warringah Wolves 1.1 1.4 2.8 4.14-38
Goal Kickers: D. Chivas 5, T. Cummins 5, J. Spicer 2, B. Robinson 2, M. Woodford , N. Allison
Best Players: B. Redfern, D. Schroot, N. Wright, D. Chivas, D. Bradley, H. Stibbard
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Last Modified on 29/05/2011 17:34