Five games at three venues over two days were the agenda for Round 4.
On Saturday, the Under 18’s and First Grade travelled to Picken Oval for their respective matches against the Western Suburbs Magpies.
The Under 18’s had the benefit of a midday start, as opposed to an earlier game and both teams were looking for their first win of the season. The team started well and it looked to be a tight match in the early stages with no score being registered for the first eight minutes. Wests however, got the edge in the final stages with three goals whilst the Rams booted one of their own. The Pies dominated through the midfield in the second term and controlled the ball better as they put on another six majors and restricted the young Rams to just one as the teams went to the sheds, Wests leading by 42.
The second half saw some tough football played and the scoreboard attendant earned a break with just one goal each recorded, but the bird had flown for the Rams as the Magpies again got the edge in the final term to record a 59 point victory.
James Devlin (2 goals) was again outstanding with good hands and surging runs whilst Matt Purse continues his good form in the middle. Martin Wyburn and Theo Whitmore were effective in their roles whilst Will Taylor and Pat Pope also figured strongly in the match.
Next week the boys play Illawarra at Greygums at 10:30 AM
Under 18: Penrith Rams 1.1 2.3 3.7 4.7-31 def by Wests Magpies 3.3 9.5 10.8 13.12-90
Goal Kickers: J. Devlin 2, B. Camilleri , A. Nicholls
Best Players: J. Devlin, M. Purse, M. Wyburn, T. Whitmore, W. Taylor, P. Pope
After last week’s gritty win in First Grade against Uni NSW Bulldogs the team were confident of making it two on the trot against the winless Wests at Picken Oval. Two late withdrawals saw Luke Jones and Matt Gann come into the side.
The match started poorly for the Rams as the Pies marked in the opening minute and converted. A quick reply saw the visitors grab a point and a subsequent Daniel Schroot goal on the run from the kickout enabled Penrith to grab a slender lead. But it was Wests who controlled the play for the next fifteen minutes and after two points, secured two majors from set shots to see them lead by 13 points at the first break.
Wests looked far the better side in the opening stages of the second quarter and after four minutes kicked a stunner from the boundary. Matt Lewis injected himself into the game and after a missed shot, went one better shortly after with the Rams second. An arm wrestle developed for the remainder of the quarter with Lewis grabbing his second and Wests responding just before the break for the term to be halved but the Magpies still maintaining their 13 point buffer.
Plenty was discussed at the major break by coach McGuinness as the Rams tried to regroup. Wests were first to post a point in the third session whilst the Rams added two of their own. Ben Robinson, who hadn’t seen a lot of the leather so far, grabbed a loose ball, turned and snapped for his first goal. Jake Pianta in his first game for the Rams, took a diving mark and converted it from 35 metres out as Penrith started to produce the game they are capable of. Adam Sharp and Kavera Carr were working tirelessly as they had all game. The home side was not to lie down and after some good work, scored one of their own to put the game back in their court. Late in the quarter, Matt Lewis marked from 40 out and celebrated his third which saw the Rams deficit cut to just a single point.
Penrith came out running and fitness was to be the key in the final 22 minutes. Jake Pianta just missed but leveled the scores with a behind. Nathan Wright showed his class with a good run and a great kick from just inside the fifty to see the Rams hit the lead for the first time. As Dale Chivas and Jay Edwards started to control the midfield to perfection, some great deliveries saw newcomer Matt Gann take a strong mark and convert. Minutes later it was almost a replica with Gann outmuscling his opposite number to take another good mark and duly convert again. George Paneras had worked tirelessly all day and was rewarded with a good major on the run and in the dying minutes, Gann was awarded a free in front and made no mistake for his third as the Rams ran away for a deceiving 38 point win.
The win sees the team cement their fourth spot on the ladder with two wins and a one point loss, all games being very tight contests. Dale Chivas and Jay Edwards experience proved pivotal in the victory whilst Kavera Carr and Adam Sharp were rewarded for their no frills style of hard football. Under 18’s player George Paneras continued with impressive form as did Daniel Schroot, who shrugged off an early shoulder injury to play a key role.
Matt Gann and Matt Lewis shared the kicking honours with three apiece.
Next week could be a defining match for the season when the team takes on 2011 premiers and 2012 competition leaders Manly at Greygums Oval on Saturday. Manly scored a massive 156 point victory over a hapless Sydney Hills Eagles team on the weekend following tight wins against Holroyd-Parramatta and Southern Power and along with UTS, remain the only two unbeaten sides this season
First Grade (Div 1): Penrith Rams 1.1 3.4 6.8 11.15-81 def Western Suburbs 3.2 5.5 6.7 6.7-43
Goal Kickers: M. Gann 3, M. Lewis 3, D. Schroot , G. Paneras , N. Wright , J. Pianta , B. Robinson
Best Players: D. Chivas, J. Edwards, K. Carr, A. Sharp, G. Paneras, D. Schroot
Reserve Grade made the inaugural annual trek to Adcock Park at Gosford with both teams having a 2-1 record for the season. A late reshuffle saw some changes, but a strong side took the field against the new Gosford Wildcats first grade side.
By their own admission, Penrith were very lethargic in the opening half of the game as the home side took advantage of Rams mistakes to control the game. A 15 point quarter time lead was extended to 29 at the long break as Penrith could not capitalize on their strengths and a blowout was on the cards.
Penrith looked brighter in the third term and added four goals which was equalled by the home team and a sniff of an unlikely victory was still on the cards. A 4.5 final term saw the team hit their straps but the siren had been the villain as Gosford hung on to a12 point victory and now leapfrog the Rams on the ladder.
The coaching staff of Mick Bottrill, Nathan White and Jason Bradley will no doubt be disappointed after their second successive loss after a sparkling start to the season and were at yesterday’s Third Grade match to look at player performances in that game. Tom Noble saw plenty of the ball in the backline and thwarted many raids from the Wildcat attack. Jake Shelley continued to be effective with three goals whilst new players Mark Batten and Scott Randall continued to impress. Matt Payne is getting back to his best after early season injuries and had a fine match whilst Brayden Wilson saw a lot of the ball. Jake Shelley and Rick Ooms shared the kicking honours with three whilst Tayt Corless was the other multiple goalscorer with two.
Next week the team returns to Greygums Oval where they face in-form side, Manly, who have won their last three against North Shore, Southern Power and Nor-West after their shock defeat by Macquarie Uni in the opening round. The rams will need to improve dramatically if they are to stay in the top five.
A report on the game was screened on Newcastle TV station, NBN, Check it out
http://www.nbnnews.com.au/index.php/2012/04/29/wildcats-win-again/
Reserve Grade (D4) Penrith Rams 2.2 4.4 8.5 12.10-82 def by Gosford Wildcats 4.5 8.9 12.14 14.16-100
Goal Kickers: J. Shelley 3, R. Ooms 3, T. Corless 2, M. Payne 2, J. Sultana , B. Wilson
Best Players: T. Noble, J. Shelley, M. Batten, B. Wilson, M. Payne, S. Randall
Sunday morning saw the club move to picturesque Dukes Oval at Emu Plains under threatening skies when a very strong and talented Uni NSW Stingrays headed to the foot of the mountains to take on the Ramettes. The Stingrays had recorded a solid win in round one against Southern Power before going down to premiership favourites Balmain last week in a strong effort.
Penrith had named a full squad of 24 as well as an emergency. With the non-show of a couple of players, Raelene Matthews came into the side that also contained three new recruits in Sharon Braddish, Claire Manuel and former Victorian Ivanka Olcowik.
The Ramettes started the match in fine style with good control and matched the visitor’s goal for goal early in the match, racking up two apiece. The Stingrays late goal saw them take a slender lead after the first 20 minutes. The was obviously some concern at the first break in the away camp with the commitment and effort by the Ramettes as Uni NSW made some vital changes that saw them accumulate six unanswered second quarter goals despite some good defence by their opponents.
The Stingrays got into full flight in the third term adding another seven majors but Penrith to their full credit, chimed in with two of their own. The experienced Uni side, who have been at the higher end of the ladder in recent years after being a foundation member of the Women’s league in 2000, showed superior pace and skill as they added another six goals in the final term but the Ramettes can hold their heads high and finished with another one of their own.
Kate Easthope had another outstanding day showing exceptional skill and hard hits in her second game with the Sherrin and added another goal to last week’s effort. Natalie Camilleri ran all day, delivered well and took some great grabs in another inspiring match. Youngsters Lauren Bozic, Sarah Rowley and Jess Noble (1 goal) all impressed and will be shining lights in the future whilst Claire Manuel had the daunting task of restricting Stingrays star forward, Ciska Van Schalkwyk and did a fine effort in her first game. Former London resident, Sharon Braddish showed the switch from Rugby to Australia’s national game an easy transition with some fine defence whist Ivanka Olchowik returned to AFL with a solid performance up front including a good goal. Other scorers were Zeaona McDonagh and captain Kirstie Burcher who both got into the action to score their first AFL six-pointers.
Next week the girls travel to the home of Womens AFL at Mahoney Park where they will be in the mix for their first win when they play Macquarie University Warriors. Penrith are just a few percentage points in front of the Warriors and a great tussle is expected.
Ramettes 2.0 2.0 4.0 5.0-30 def by Uni NSW Stingrays 3.5 9.8 16.11 22.14-146
Goal Kickers: K. Burcher , I. Olchowik , J. Noble , Z. McDonagh , K. Easthope
Best Players: K. Easthope, N. Camilleri, L. Bozic, C. Manuel, S. Rowley, J. Noble
The final game of the weekend saw Penrith’s new third grade team contest the 1 pm game at Dukes Oval. A good crowd was in attendance for the Division 5 match against an experienced Moorebank side. Coach Jason Makin was bedridden for most of the week and withdrew from playing and coaching on the day with Brad Pathuis taking over the coaching role.
Penrith were to produce three new players making their debut with the club. Syd Weller, father of Justin, joined the team after a lifetime at Nowra whilst Rams fitness and conditioning coach, Theo Paneras, father of first grader George, was to make his first AFL appearance. Ramettes coach John Rix, father of Under 18’s talented player, Jeremy, had to quickly rub the years of dust that had accumulated in the back of his car and was a last minute inclusion.
Club legend Mick Walker, tending the canteen, was also mysteriously being eyed as a possible starter, but the recruiters realized he was smarter than the average veteran and probably would have politely declined, preferring the better option of a pastie and beer on the other side of the fence.
The game started well for the Rams as they went on the attack, but five opportunities found the smaller sticks whilst Moorebank , with just one more scoring shot, converted all of theirs to run to a big lead early. A seven goal Magpie session in term two against the Rams single goal set the tone for the day despite the best efforts of the Rams, fielding many first year players. Club umpire and life member, Mark Steunenberg, was torn between two loves as he watched the Collingwood colours dominate the match against his beloved Rams.
Moorebank continued the scoring in the third term with their veteran and first grade coach Mark Coles, calling for oxygen and Berocca as the game progressed. Pies big full-forward Robbie Morrison, sobered the team with a dominant display up front, ending up with eight on the day. The Rams kept going despite the loss of a few, including Tom Hall his ligament damage to his hand, whilst Theo Paneras was having a top class go despite dislocating a finger in the early part of the game. Despite the blowout on the scoreboard, the Rams were able to win the final quarter and kept their opponent goalless b but the bird had flown as Moorebank recorded an easy win.
Justin Weller, dropping back in grade from last week was Penrith’s best on the day and added two goals, with father Syd scoring the only other Rams major. Hard man Brendan Ridges was an inspiration as he attacked the ball like he does the Indonesian waves. Ben Priest played his best game this season and is on the improve whilst new players Theo Paneras and Kurt Schirmer impressed along with born-again Ram, Jason Scala. John Rix injection into the side in the second half was instant and he saw plenty of the ball once he hit the paddock.
It doesn’t get any easier next week when the Rams take on competition leaders, Sydney Uni at Greygums Oval in the dawn opening 8:30 AM game. A better rollup at training will certainly help the cause.
Third Grade (Div 5) Penrith 0.5 1.6 2.7 3.8-26 def by Moorebank Magpies 6.0 13.0 19.4 19.10-124
Goal Kickers: J. Weller 2, S. Weller
Best Players: J. Weller, B. Ridges, B. Priest, T. Paneras, J. Scala, K. Schirmer
Last Modified on 11/05/2012 10:00