A great day at the office on Saturday with a clean sweep by the Rams to keep them in the hunt for the Club Championship.
The Under 18's kicked off the day was an outstanding win against St George at Greygums Oval. Meanwhile, Reserves broke the Trumper Park hoodoo and created a club record in winning their 12th game for the year with a 50 point win iver third placed UTS Bats. It was up to Firsts to complete the treble and they did it with ease with a 145 point demolition of St George in their final Greygums appearance.
Under 18's V St George Dragons at Greygums Oval
It was a home game for the Rams today when they took on the St George Dragons at Greygums Oval. It was a very important game for both teams and with conditions perfect for footy an enthralling contest was assured.
The Rams were ready from the start today and controlled the play for the most of the first quarter. They ran in numbers, made the most of every contest and opened up an 11 point lead at quarter time. The second quarter saw the Rams continue their good form. Ben Mayer injected himself into the game and with several long runs and a couple of goals inspired the Rams to a 5 goal quarter. Harry Doyle found space all over the ground and continually drove the Rams into attack. David Looyschelder shouldered most of the ruck duties and played an exceptional game, marking well and continually making a contest and winning the ball for the Rams. Tom Noble worked hard in defence and continually spoiled the Dragons and denied them scoring opportunities. The Rams went into the half time break with a 30 point lead
The third quarter tested the Rams fitness on such a warm day but the boys passed with flying colours as they kicked a further 4 goals while keeping the Dragons goalless to extend their lead. George Paneras continued his hard work around the ground collecting plenty of kicks. Joe Hunt was a major contributor for the Rams making several important tackles and getting the Rams moving. Luke Jones ran hard all day and provided the Rams with plenty of drive. James Devlin marked strongly again today and provided a target for the Rams.
The Dragons never gave up all day and fought back to kick 3 goals in the last quarter but the Rams hung on. Liam Murphy covered a lot of ground today and provided the Rams with a link into the forward line on many occasions. He also managed to sneak in and kick 3 goals.
Brayden Wilson spent most of the day in the forward line and finished off the Rams hard work up field with 4 goals. Ben McGovern was strong in the forward line taking several strong marks and kicking 4 goals. Ben Priest continued his fine form up forward adding another goal to his season’s tally. Luke Simmons was active in the forward line and was instrumental in several goals and kicked one himself. Jack Ponton was unstoppable today and continually won the ball for the Rams and got them moving forward. Greg Major did everything right in the backline and continually got the Rams out of trouble.
The Rams were rewarded for their hard work and perseverance today with a 61 point win over St George.
Penrith Rams 3.6 8.8 12.11 16.13-109 def St George Dragons 2.1 4.2 4.3 7.6-48
Goal Kickers: B. Wilson 4, B. McGovern 4, G. Major 3, B. Mayer 3, L. Simmons , B. Priest
Best Players: B. Mayer, L. Murphy, D. Looyschelder, H. Doyle, J. Hunt, J. Ponton
Reserve Grade V UTS Bats at Trumper Park
After last week’s loss to Mac Uni at home, Penrith had to face up to a road trip to Trumper Park at Paddington to face the might of third placed UTS. The historic Trumper Park has been a nightmare for visitors over the years and in particular Penrith. A win at the ground is rarer than rocking horse droppings but the Rams went into the match with a strong squad and a stronger desire to break the hoodoo. The loss of Aaron Goodwin for the match along with Tayt Corless on the morning of the game allowed the return of Sam Lockhart to the side along with Lachie Smith dashing from his sons 9-0 soccer victory at Emu Plains to take his place in the side.
Penrith got off to a bright start but the strong defence from the Bats was causing headaches as the Rams found it hard to convert. UTS jumped in with the first goal but the Rams responded with a Matty Lewis goal from a set shot. The next six scoring shots for the Rams resulted in six one pointers and with UTS again scoring from a 50 metre free, it was game on. Craig Ives, back from a Bali sojourn, massaged the ball through the big sticks from an acute angle to give the visitors a five point lead at the first break.
The second quarter saw Jason Bradley enter the field up front. Lachie Smith provided the first major for the Rams with a long goal from a set shot. Smith was again involved after a precision kick to Bradley hit the mark five metres out with Jabba scoring his first of the day. UTS were able to score the next two goals to get back into the fray but a great goal on the run to Nathan Gatt, Another Bradley major and a Jake Sultana goal saw the team go to the sheds with a 20 point lead.
Coach Mick Bottrill, taking over the board from Kevin Tate, who was preparing for an intensive 8 day European work commitment, was happy with the half time status but emphasised that the commitment and pressure had to be stepped up, knowing full well that the Bats never lie down.
The advice was spot on a UTS went on the attack early in the third and got back into the game with first points. Lachie Smith pounded one in from the fifty that looked destined for a behind with a Warne-style leg break saw the ball hit middle stump for a great reply. With the backline of Nathan White, Sam Lockhart and Brad Pathuis looking after the attack of the Bats in fine style, Sultana stepped inside his opponents to post his second for the day. Midfielder Mark Jackson was the next to get his name on the board with a long bomb that found the centre posts and Chris Manuel opened up his account with a nice kick in traffic to see the margin get out to 33 with the final quarter looming.
Again, the Bats continued to restore their pride with some good movement and the opening goal. Cam Butler and Nathan Rowley were instrumental in feeding the ball to the likes of Christian Triffitt and Nathan Gatt who in turn were feeding the forward line in great style. Craig Ives goaled from in front after a 50 was given and shortly after, Smith added his third after swooping on a loose ball. Christian Knight was the next to move the scoreboard another six points with a goal on the run and Butler was rewarded for his tireless display with a goal. In the dying minutes, Jabba booted his fourth for the day as the Rams huddled together on the ground to proudly belt out the Penrith anthem which saw them break the record of reserve grade wins in a season after recording their twelfth win and retain second spot on the ladder.
It was a committed and gutsy win against class opponents and a big improvement on last week’s 9 point loss to Mac Uni that saw them surrender the ladder lead. Jake Sultana played his best for the year in a tough display that included two goals and took out the IGA Best on Ground. Nic Collimore again showed his class in his first AFL season and won the Red Cow in award. Nathan Rowley, Chistian Triffitt and Nathan Gatt were mostly first to the ball with their outstanding pace whilst the organisational skills and class of Lachie Smith proved vital in recording the victory
With just one match of the home and away season to complete, it has been an outstanding season for the two’s. Next week the team travels to Village Green to take on Uni NSW/ES. Only an unlikely loss by Mac Uni when they play Auburn would see the Rams take out a minor premiership and Penrith look certain to play week one of the finals at Henson Park, probably against Moorebank. It will be a do –or – die match for Uni NSW as a loss would see them likely to miss a finals spot.
Penrith Rams 2.7 7.8 11.9 16.11-107 def UTS Bats 2.2 4.6 6.6 8.9-57
Goal Kickers: J. Bradley 4, L. Smith 3, C. Ives 2, J. Sultana 2, C. Knight , M. Jackson , N. Gatt , M. Lewis , C. Manuel
Best Players: J. Sultana, N. Collimore, N. Rowley, L. Smith, N. Gatt, C. Triffitt
First Grade V St George Dragons at Greygums Oval
The high flying Rams first grade squad took the short trip to Greygums on Saturday in their final home appearance for the year when they hosted St George Dragons with high hopes of a win and penultimate step to a minor premiership.
The late withdrawal of backman Brad Redfern saw 18’s gun, Jack Ponton back up after a great display in the 18’s win in the previous game. The team also saw the return of vice captain, Dale Chivas from injury along with Mitch Reinhard from the snowfields. In their first round encounter six weeks ago at Olds park, Penrith scored a convincing 88 point win and it was a tough ask for the Dragons, with just two players on the bench, to reverse that result on the big Greygums ground.
The Rams commenced with aplomb, and it was the usual suspects posting first goals with Tim Cummins (2), Dale Chivas (2) and Ben Robinson all on fire along with Jimmy Denton getting into the fray with one each as Penrith raced to a 33 point lead after Saints opened their account with one goal.
The service from the midfield stepped up a notch in the second term as the Rams became unstoppable. One small lapse allowed a Dragons six-pointer, but that was to be their final one for the day as Jack Ponton opened up the scoring with a goal, quickly followed up with Blake Roberts booting his first along with Daniel Schroot and Matty Payne. Dale Chivas showed that a few weeks off with injury hadn’t allowed any rust to form with a double and Luke O’Connor joined the party with two.
It was virtually game over as the teams went to the sheds with the visitors staring in the face of a 75 point deficit. Tempers started to flare in the third term but Penrith kept their cool and continued the rout. Payne, Cummins, Robinson, Roberts, Oconnor all added one to their tally whilst Nathan Wright and captain Dave Bradley joined in with one apiece. Meanwhile the backline were getting cold in the setting sun as the Dragons were held scoreless in a painful 22 minutes for the visiting side.
Penrith had yet to record a 100 point win this year, the closest being a 97 point win against Nor-West on the small Dukes Oval ground. They had by the end of the third term grabbed a 120 point lead and eased down in the final quarter to an extent. Dale Chivas kicked his fifth before dropping back to the midfield, Luke O’Connor another to make it four, Robbo his third and the final goal to Tim Cummins saw his tally at four. A booming kick from about 70 metres out by Bryce Roney saw a St George defender just get his fingernail on it as it sailed through the posts to deny the backman of a rare goal. When the dust had settled and players hook hands, it was Penrith’s biggest win of the season and the Rams found the energy to blast out the song to the faithful with a 145 point win.
James Denton again was outstanding with his relentless style of punishing football and took out the IGA Award. Dale Chivas made a stunning return to the team and completely intimidated his opponents and along with a five goal haul, saw him take out the Red Cow Inn award, a quality establishment where the 22 year old celebrated the win later in the evening. Jay Edwards and Nathan Allison were both exceptional when pressured and gave quality disposals whilst giant Mark Woodford and the diminutive Ben Robinson put in polished displays.
With a minor premiership just 88 minutes away, the team has secured a Double chance in this years finals series. A win against Camden Cats next week at Harrington Park will see them celebrate the best “home and away” record for Div 2 this year before the hard yards commence in the finals series. Should they win next week, the team will have a week off in preparation for the major semi final at Rosedale Oval the following week.
Penrith Rams 6.3 14.3 21.6 25.8-158 def St George Dragons 1.0 2.0 2.0 2.1-13
Goal Kickers: D. Chivas 5, L. O''Connor 4, T. Cummins 4, B. Robinson 3, M. Payne 2, B. Roberts 2, J. Ponton , D. Schroot , J. Denton , N. Wright , D. Bradley
Best Players: J. Edwards, D. Chivas, N. Allison, B. Robinson, M. Woodford, J. Denton
Last Modified on 23/08/2011 19:45