The Penrith Rams history books were re-written on Saturday with the club taking out both Senior Grade minor premierships as the 2011 "home and away" season came to a close. The Rams celebrated their thirtieth year of operations as Reserve Grade took out their first ever minor premiership with a 76 point win over Uni NSW Bulldogs at Village Green whilst two hours and sixty kilometres away at Harrington Park, the Firsts completed the unique double with a 99 point win over Camden Cats. It was 20 years since the firsts last took out a minor premiership with a team that included the likes of Michael Walker, David Nolan and Jason Makin.
The Under 18's put up a courageous effort against ladder leaders East Coast at Greygums Oval and play their last game for the year next week against Riverview. Saturday's win ensures the club a top 2 finish in the Club Championships with NEAFL clubs Sydney Uni and East Coast all in line for a top three finish.
Mark Jackson celebrated his 100th Match for the Rams with a win over Uni NSW and a Minor Premiership.
First Grade V Camden Cats at Harrington Park
Penrith Rams 1st Grade squad headed down the Northern Rd on Saturday to take on last placed Camden Cats with a minor premiership on the line should they win their 14th game of the season. With the Cats likely to drop to Div 3 next year, the Rams fighting for a spot in Division 1 under the promotion/ relegation policy, the physical Camden outfit were likely to throw everything at the ladder leaders to end the Cats season.
Penrith were missing James Denton for the match which would be a huge blow for most other games, but the premiership frontrunners were certainly looking at running up a big score after last week’s record win against St George.
The Rams started sluggishly in their quest to take out the club’s second minor premiership for the day, after reserve grade had earlier taken the title. Dale Chivas posted the first major for the visitors whilst goal sneak Ben Robinson quickly added another. Chivas the added another as the Rams kept Camden to a lone point to go to the first break with an unconvincing 20 point lead.
The momentum improved in the second term against a physical Camden team with Nathan Allison and Daniel Schroot putting in the hard yards along with Mark Woodford controlling the centre bounce. Tim Cummins secured his first of the day shortly after play resumed and Robinson added another. Blake Roberts was warming to the task as he collected one, but a quick response from Camden saw them fight back. Late in the quarter, Nathan Wright, playing with his usual confidence, grabbed a high ball and converted to give the team a 39 point break as the teams went to the sheds.
The Rams were reminded not to take the Cat’s baiting as they had nothing to lose, but any retaliation could be costly with finals football over the next month meaning any lack of discipline could impact on the side.
Camden tried hard in the third quarter but could only add three single pointers o their tally whilst Penrith stepped up a notch. The old school of Chivas (2 goals) Robinson and Cummins all secured majors along with Matty Payne who was rewarded with a good goal on the run.
With a 69 point buffer coming into the final term, it was caution first as the Rams headed towards the season’s minor honours. Camden responded quickly to the first Chivas goal of the term and O’Connor added one along with Nathan Wright’s second and a Harley Stibbard goal saw the Rams running away with the game. Last week’s goal villain, Bryce Roney was mobbed after a kick directed to a player on the wing went horribly askew, bounced twenty metres and limped over the line for his maiden goal of the season. With the siren sounding the end of the day’s proceedings, it was Penrith running out 99 point victors and the first minor premiership for twenty years and recording the most ever wins by the club with 14 wins for the season.
Nathan Allison, who could easily get a start with “Getaway” after his recent trips over the country, played another vital role in the victory. The fierce winger again was superb and took out the major “IGA” Award. The Red Cow will see the captaincy team of Dale Chivas and Dave Bradley shares a few dinners together as they tied for the Rams fantastic sponsors prize after both put in real captains knocks. Jay Edwards also put in a great display with speed and agility constantly frustrating the Cat’s whilst Luke O’Connor, Matt Payne, Mark Woodford and Daniel Schroot were all impressive.
Coach Geoff Payne now has the task of setting the team up for the tough road ahead. The team should appreciate next week’s break that will see them take on the winner of the Holroyd-Parramatta V Sydney Uni in the major semi at Rosedale Oval in just under 2 weeks time. Balmain and Auburn will fight out the elimination semi next week at Henson Park
A great day to finish off a brilliant “home and away” series for the Rams this year.
Penrith Rams would like to thank all the players, partners, friends, families, support staff, sponsors and supporters for the contribution they have made and “see you at the finals”
Penrith Rams 3.3 7.5 12.8 17.14-116 def Camden Cats 0.1 1.2 1.5 2.5-17
Goal Kickers: D. Chivas 5, B. Robinson 3, N. Wright 2, T. Cummins 2, B. Roney , B. Roberts , M. Payne , H. Stibbard , M. O'Connor
Best Players: J. Edwards, L. O'Connor, M. Payne, B. Robinson, D. Schroot, H. Stibbard
Finals Standings Div 2
Nato Wright takes a clean grab against Camden
Reserve Grade V Uni NSW/ES Bulldogs at Village Green
Penrith Rams Reserve Grade headed East on Saturday for the one hour trip to Village Green at Kensington and unlike any normal game, had a lot more pressure placed on them for a victory.
Club records and personal milestones were at stake, with the side needing a win against Uni NSW/ES Bulldogs to pull off the minor premiership. A win would also ensure a top three finish in the club championships whilst Mark Jackson was desperate to take home a win in his 100th match for the Rams. Jason Bradley also had to repel a charge to keep his lead in the 2011 Div 4 goal kicking honours.
The side was missing two key players in Matty Lewis and Christian Knight. The dedication of Balmain resident Alan Prowse, who makes the trek to Penrith for training, was rewarded with a spot in the side and Tayt Corless was returning from injury.
Mick Bottrill took over the board from head coach, Kevin Tate, currently salmon fishing in Iceland amongst other tiresome activities and was looking to keep his perfect coaching record alive. A message was relayed from Tate, congratulating Mark on his milestone and wishing the team the best.
The game started brilliantly for the Bulldogs, a big, strong outfit who posted their first goal within a minute after some slick work. Penrith responded quickly with a Tayt Corless snap that found the middle. Shortly after, Corless put a chip onto Gordon Howell’s chest and he duly converted. Corless again grabbed a goal after a loose ball in a pack was soccered through the posts to get the coaching staff breathing easier. Penrith dominated the final stages of the first quarter, with a good step inside and accurate kick saw Chris Manuel add another and the introduction of Jason Bradley to the game saw him rewarded in front after a fifty metre penalty was awarded to the Rams and the side going to the first break with a comfortable 29 point buffer.
The side resumed play but a different Bulldogs side took to the field. The Uni side, needing a win to play finals football next week looked the superior side and was rewarded with 2.2 as the Rams struggled to gain composure. The midfield trio of Nic Collimore, Nathan Rowley and Adam West were working extremely hard but basic turnover were costing the side with the Bulldogs playing controlled football. Jason Jackson kicked a booming kick from outside the fifty that landed past the Dogs defended and scrambled over the line for a goal and Howell added his second with a six pointer on the run. As the teams went to the long break, honours were shared at 2.2 apiece but Penrith were still able to maintain their 29 point lead.
They say that the premiership term is the third quarter in football and the Rams certainly needed to lift. They came out pumped for the task ahead and took possession of the contest. Hard work by Nathan Gatt, Chris Manuel and Cameron Butler along with great ruck work by Aaron Goodwin saw the forward line getting a feast of possession. Adam West was the first recipient of the lift in the misfield and booted a difficult, angled goal. Bradley uncharacteristically spilled an easy mark, but recovered in the pack to turn around and boot his second. Corless added the next two, one from a set shot after marking and a good snap secured his fourth of the day. Nathan Rowley was rewarded for his outstanding play and added a great goal and Howell again chimed in for his third. The dying minutes of the session saw Bradley take a mark in front and boot it out of the oval for the Rams and with the Dogs only adding one for the term, went to an unassailable 74 point lead.
Realising that the Bulldogs season was only 22 minutes from an end, the home side showed a ton of pride and determination in the last quarter and dominated play. Penrith were rarely in the hunt as the backline of Sam Lockhart, captain Nathan White and Brad Pathuis desperately tried to curtail the attack and to their credit, only allowed 2.3 in the onslaught. The Rams rarely got the ball into the forward fifty until the final four minutes when Bradley finally got the opportunity and converted for his 49th of the season. With less than a minute on the clock, Jabba again got a tough possession and clocked up his half century (of goals, not years) as the Rams came away with a 76 point historic victory.
Communications with Iceland were solid as Kevin Tate relayed his congratulations to all involved. On his return next week, he might have some “one that got away” tales, but his side certainly don’t. Adam West was adjudged “IGA” best on ground for an outstanding performance and would have been looking forward to bedtime after running himself into the ground. He was closely followed by Nathan Rowley who took out the “Red Cow Inn” honours after constantly taking on his bigger opponents and finding a way through them. First year Rams Chris Manuel, Nic Collimore and Cameron Butler were also shining lights in a side that contained 22 players intent on making the day a great one whist Tayt Corless stood tall in his return from injury. Mark Jackson celebrated his 100th with a relentless effort and the five goal haul by Jason Bradley saw him take out the division’s goal kicking title by five goals to Mac Uni’s Rohan Pryor who kicked thirteen in their win against Auburn.
It’s a week off for the Minor Premiers but the hard work now begins and players are reminded that training is essential over the next month. The team will head to Rosedale Oval along with first grade on Saturday week to take on the winner of next week’s semi against Mac Uni (2nd) and last year’s grand finalists, Moorebank Sports whilst UTS will go into Battle against Holroyd-Parramatta next Saturday in the elimination semi at Henson Park
Penrith Rams 5.5 7.7 14.11 16.16-112 def Uni NSW/ES Bulldogs 1.0 3.2 3.3 5.6-36
Goal Kickers: J. Bradley 5, T. Corless 4, G. Howell 3, J. Jackson 2, A. West , N. Rowley
Best Players: A. West, N. Rowley, N. Collimore, C. Manuel, C. Butler, T. Corless
Final Standings Div 4
Mitch Reinhard scoops up the ball against Camden Cats
Under 18's V East Coast Eagles at Greygums Oval
Penrith Rams 0.1 0.2 0.3 2.5-17 def by East Coast Eagles 5.3 13.4 16.5 23.6-144
Goal Kickers: J. Ponton 2
Best Players: T. Noble, H. Doyle, J. Ponton, G. Paneras, B. Wilson, J. Devlin
Match Report to follow.
IGA Man of the Match Nathan Allison showing no fear
Photo's coutesy of Christian Triffitt.
Last Modified on 19/10/2011 15:43