Reserve Grade were to be the early Saturday morning risers as the sun rose on the trip to the unusually shaped Gwawley Park at Taren Point. The 8:30 AM opening siren against last year’s Div 5 premiers, Southern Power saw the Rams looking for their third consecutive win and despite the loss of player’s midweek, fielded a strong side.
It was all Penrith from the opening bounce as they raced to a 27 point lead at the end of the first term. The lead was increased to 47 at half time, with the visitors holding Power to just two single pointers after the first 44 minutes.
Although the game never rose to any great heights, Penrith continued to dominate the match, only allowing the home side another single point in the second half as they cruised to 79 point win.
The victory keeps the Rams secure in fourth spot, two wins adrift of the ladder leaders, UTS whom they are yet to face. Brad Leech was a real standout on the day in the forward line with an outstanding display after a few years off the paddock. The former Swans junior carved up the opposition with a six goal haul and looks to be in for a big year. Ed Kirby has picked up the game very quickly in his first year. The popular dreadlocked midfielder has been one of the best trainers in the team this year and used his new found skills with ease. Another newcomer to the Rams, James Stiff, was also a standout whilst Josh Chapple and captain Christian Triffitt gave a non-stop display. Nathan Rowley showed no signs of a recent Bangkok hospital visit with a polished display, scoring a goal to level him up with sister Sarah on the family goalkicking honour board. The ever consistent Liam Murphy was the only other multiple scorer with a handy double.
The team gets a “sleep in” next week with their return to Greygums when they face traditional foes, Nor-West Jets at 12:30 PM
| 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
SOUTHERN POWER |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
PENRITH |
4 |
4 |
28 |
7 |
7 |
49 |
10 |
8 |
68 |
12 |
10 |
82 |
Goal Kickers: B. Leech 6, L. Murphy 2, B. Wilson , N. Rowley , C. Triffitt , G. Howell
Best Players: B. Leech, E. Kirby, J. Stiff, N. Rowley, C. Triffitt, J. Chapple
Third Grade were to be the next game up, at the other side of town at University Oval at North Ryde in the more respectable timeslot of midday. Following last week’s heartbreaking three point loss to Holroyd-Parramatta, coach Jason Makin was staring in the eyes of a forfeit on Thursday night at training with just the minimum 14 players available due to unavailability’s in the higher grades. Frantic Friday calls produced a team with 18’s player, Gregg Major putting up his hand, evergreen hard man Jon Barry being available and former 2000 Under 18’s star Clarry Dent being quickly recruited after 12 years off the scene. In addition, James Stiff, Gordon Howell, Nathan Rowley and Tayt Corless made the dash from the earlier Shire game to back up and produce a full squad of 22.
The first ever standalone third grade side for the Rams has shown promise this year despite some heavy losses but were yet to win a game. It was a tough ask as Macquarie Uni had heavily advertised the milestone 200 games for one of their favourite sons, Tim Wall. They also had players rushing back from an early Div 3 match to fill the void with a squad of 21.
It was a tight opening term, with teams trading blow for blow. Penrith looked to travel the better with a 4.7 opener against the accurate Warriors who produced three straight kicks to trail by just 13. Mac Uni were to add another 3.0 in the second quarter, but it was the Rams putting their best feet forward with a 6.2 burst to see them go to the long break with a 33 point buffer. Despite the Warriors trying to keep in the contest in the second half, the floodgates opened for the visitors as they piled on 11.9 against just 2.1 as they ran away for the most impressive of victories by 93 points thus dragging themselves off the bottom of the table. It was a real gutsy effort from a team that was looking to the day off via a forfeit on Thursday night. First year player Brendan Moroney was the Rams best with a great display and was rewarded with a double. Gregg Major stepped up to senior football with ease in a great display whilst Mark Batten and Ben Priest both produced polished displays. Jon Barry and Mark Jackson showed their vast experience and led from the front with ruthless displays. Batten led the goal scoring spree with four. Comeback kid Clarry Dent showed he was still a force to be reckoned with, adding three of his own along with Stuart Ayres with his treble whist Jon Barry, Mark Jackson and Mark Batten all chipped in with doubles and Paul Swan returning to the Rams with a goal of his own. A big thank you from the support staff with Mark Spooner waving the flags, Manager Kev Priest doing the hard yards with the paperwork and stats, club legend Mick Walker running the bench, John Wicks being the runner and Nato Wright running water as he prepared for Sunday’s big Div 1 clash against his former club, Pennant Hills. A real team effort from all and one the Rams are very proud of.
Next week sees the team have an early 8:30 start at Greygums as the face the toughest of tests in facing leaders UTS. UTS won the Round 3 encounter at Mahoney Park but Greygums has always been a harder task for the Bats and a great game is certainly on the cards.
| 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
MACQUARIE UNIVERSITY |
3 |
0 |
18 |
6 |
0 |
36 |
8 |
1 |
49 |
8 |
1 |
49 |
PENRITH |
4 |
7 |
31 |
10 |
9 |
69 |
16 |
11 |
107 |
21 |
16 |
142 |
Goal Kickers: M. Batten 4, C. Dent 3, S. Ayres 3, M. Jackson 2, J. Barry 2, B. Moroney 2, J. Makin 2, J. Weller , T. Corless , P. Swan
Best Players: B. Moroney, G. Major, M. Batten, M. Jackson, J. Barry, B. Priest
The Ramettes were the lone team to play at home with the midday match against Newtown Breakaways. The Newtown girls have had a stellar year so far with an undefeated record including wins over Western Wolves, Southern Power and Macquarie University. In a March trial, The Ramettes second only match, Newtown had won by more than 25 goals with the local girls unable to score a single point. And that was with 15 minute quarters at Dukes Oval.
The task was going to be immense. Jess Noble, Rebecca Coleman and Lauren Bozic were to withdraw with injury but the team had a squad of 23 including new player Haley Short, sporting the teal and pink for the first time. Gun midfielder Nat Camilleri was shrugging off a bad case of flu to take the field whilst Kate Easthope showed what a tough character she is by playing with broken bones in her hand, refusing pleas to nurse the injury.
Newtown were not expecting the physical encounter that ensued. Although their superior skill and experience held them in good stead on the scoreboard, they had to work extremely hard for the result. They added four goals in the opening twenty minutes despite being pressured by the resilient Ramettes backline. The second quarter saw much of the same with the visitors having to work hard for their five goals. Penrith made a few forays into the forward fifty, but Newtown’s backline was up to the task of keeping the girls scoreless.
Nine goals down at half time isn’t usually for a coach to be excited about, but coach John Rix would have to be a happy man with the commitment by all the tea, The defence had been superb and the skill of the team, with accurate chips and nice marks is showing that a win is just around the corner.
The third term saw the team show their “never say die” attitude as they mixed it with the Breakaways. Newtown were to add another five majors, but a great movement and continued pressure by the Ramettes saw Nat Camilleri finish off with a long range goal to the cheers from the players and supporters, the first ever female goal at Greygums Oval. The game finished with Newtown adding another four but it was an exceptional performance by the team.
Nat Camilleri and Jen Brown again led from the front with great performances. Jen’s trademark tackling a highlight of the game. Franziska Fitting again showed her skills in the middle and the German recruit has been an exceptional find this year. The smiling assassin Ashley Grosas was outstanding along with with the extremely sharp and tough Stephanie Kostic. Mel Howard took plenty and returned just as much in a polished display, Zeona McDonagh was inspirational and Monique Green was a great performer with safe hands at fullback.
Next week the team travels to Gwawley Park to take on the might of Southern Power, who recorded an easy victory in a March trial at Greygums. The match, to be played on Sunday at 12:00 PM promises to be another tough affair.
Well done girls. Your dedication is inspirational to the entire club
| 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
Penrith Ramettes |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
Newtown Breakaways |
4 |
0 |
24 |
9 |
4 |
58 |
14 |
6 |
90 |
18 |
11 |
119 |
Penrith Ramettes
Goal Kickers: N. Camilleri
Best Players: N. Camilleri, J. Brown, F. Fitting, A. Grosas, S. Kostic, M. Howard
Sunday saw the final two matches of the round as the Under 18’s travelled to Mike Kenny Oval at Cherrybrook to take on the polished Pennant Hills outfit. Withdrawals saw the young Rams with just a squad of 17 for the 10:00 AM fixture under cloudy skies and swirling wind. The Demons, unlike their southern counterparts, have an impressive 4-1 record this year and it was always a tough ask for the Rams to be competitive in what was to be a 16 aside contest.
The home side got away to a flyer with an opening 6.6 quarter. A set shot from the Rams went wide to make the only movement on their side of the scoreboard as the bigger Demons outfit showed their true colours. The second term was even better for the home side as they moved the ball quickly despite the best efforts of Penrith to post another eight majors and seemingly have the game at their mercy.
Despite Pennant Hills dominating the second half, Penrith fought on against the premiership heavyweights with 15 year old Brad Camilleri scoring his first goal for the Rams and fellow Blue Mountains Kangaroo junior Jesse Hyland adding another in the final twenty minute term.
It’s been a tough year for the team but their resolve can’t be questioned. Harry Doyle and Martin Wyburn were the best for the Rams, putting their bodies on the line against the bigger Demons pack. Theo Whitmore and Sam Devlin put in solid performances along with talls Brad Camilleri and David Looyschelder.
The task doesn’t get any easier when they take on Premiership frontrunner, Sydney Hills Eagles next week in the 12:30 PM curtain raiser to the first grade clash at Greygums.
| 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
PENNANT HILLS |
6 |
6 |
42 |
14 |
14 |
98 |
22 |
19 |
151 |
29 |
25 |
199 |
PENRITH |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
14
|
Goal Kickers: B. Camilleri , J. Hyland
Best Players: H. Doyle, M. Wyburn, T. Whitmore, S. Devlin, B. Camilleri, D. Looyschelder
Penrith headed into the final match of the weekend with first grade taking on the eighth placed Pennant Hills Demons at Mike Kenny Oval. The blustery wind had strengthened for the midday match which was to be Cherrybrook resident, Nathan Allison’s final game for the Rams at this stage. Nathan joined the club in 2010 after a lengthy junior career in the Hills District and became a much loved member of the Rams family. His two seasons with the club produced a grand final in 2010 followed by last year’s Div 2 premiership flag. Matt Payne was a late withdrawal a couple of hours before the bounce and a call was made to Nathan Rowley, who had played in two victories the previous day, to fill the gap. Only ten days earlier, Nathan spent a night in a Bangkok hospital after a late night ruck training drill went wrong in Khao San Road
Penrith won the toss and elected to go into the breeze but downhill on the dome shaped ground. The Rams were to dominate the opening ten minutes but found it hard to convert. Under 18’s player James Devlin was to open the account for Perth with a fine six pointer, but the Demons responded quickly with one of their own. The day ended early for star Under 18. George Paneras who succumbed to a serious hamstring injury and faces a lengthy spell on the sidelines. Adam Sharp was proving an effective target up front with some fine grabs and was rewarded with an angled goal and soon after, some good lead up work in the midfield say Matt Gann contribute with Penrith’s third to open up a nice 13 point lead at the first break.
Despite facing the breeze, the home side fought back strongly in the second with a 3.2 quarter but goals by Ben Robinson, Dale Chivas and another Adam Sharp goal, along with three shots wide of the big sticks saw Penrith go to the long break with a 14 point buffer.
The premiership quarter proved a tight tussle, Penrith seemingly getting the better of their opponents. Blake Roberts took a good grab in front and converted, Josh Anasis did the same and Chivas chimed in with his second. The Demons could only add one straight kick to the scoreboard as the Rams surged ahead with the biggest lead of the match to go 22 in front with that many minutes left to play.
Penrith this year have always finished their games off strongly and it was probably widely accepted that they would run away with this game with the cross wind favouring them. Complacency seemed to creep into the structure and it was the Demons who were full of running in the first 15 minutes, kicking four unanswered goals to take an unlikely three point lead. Penrith got back on track in the final five minutes but could not find the big sticks with three behinds posted to level the match again. With a minute on the clock, Dale Chivas took a sensational mark in the pocket and lined up carefully, kicking true to gain the two flag salute. From the final bounce, the Rams went forward as the siren sounded, taking the heart stopper by six points and retaining third spot on the ladder.
It was probably an ugly win as the team headed to the sheds to belt out the club song for the second consecutive week and a lot of work is needed to keep their top three spot on the ladder. But it was the old saying of “A win’s a win” that cried true.
Adam Sharp was to be a tireless performer on the day in the various roles he fulfilled and was rewarded with a double. Dale Chivas, recently selected in the Sydney AFL representative 33 man squad, showed his usual class to hold the team together and booted three, including the all important last score of the day. Cohort Jay Edwards, with his young family cheering from the sidelines, put in a polished display whilst farewell kid, Nath Allison was outstanding in his last match at the ground where his junior career kicked off many years ago. Harley Stibbard and Daniel Schroot were also key performers for the Rams. Nathan Rowley surely will go down in the history books as the first player to play in three winning senior sides on the same weekend, a feat that is unlikely to be beaten, at least for a long time.
The weekend will also go down in the 30+ year history as the first that three senior sides have tasted victory on the same round.
Next week is a big day at Greygums, with Penrith taking on NEAFL club, Sydney Hills Eagles in the 2:30 Div 1 clash.
| 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
PENNANT HILLS |
1 |
1 |
7 |
4 |
3 |
27 |
5 |
6 |
36 |
9 |
7 |
61 |
PENRITH |
3 |
0 |
18 |
6 |
3 |
39 |
9 |
4 |
58 |
10 |
7 |
67 |
PENRITH
Goal Kickers: D. Chivas 3, J. Anasis 2, A. Sharp 2, M. Gann , B. Roberts , B. Robinson
Best Players: A. Sharp, D. Chivas, J. Edwards, N. Allison, H. Stibbard, D. Schroot
Last Modified on 26/06/2012 11:56