The opening match of the day at Greygums Oval on Saturday saw the Div 5 clash between Penrith and competition leaders UTS Bats at 8:30 AM.
Both teams were fielding a full squad of 22 players plus emergencies at the ground, a credit to both clubs but it was the powerful Bats who dominated the first half of the game with a 66 point lead, showing why they had the perfect 2012 record. Penrith were fielding 4 players making their AFL debut for team and will be well served by the outing. The Bats were to extend their lead in the second half at a slightly slower rate and finally came out victors by 117 against the Rams who never gave up trying.
Ramettes coach and former Emu Plains/Glenmore Park Lions junior club president, John Rix had an outstanding game whilst backman Ben Priest again was solid in defence. Jason Scala, Justin Weller and Christian Knight all performed well for the team whilst debutant Dave McKinnon was impressive in his first game of the code. Alan Prowse and Ben McGovern were the Penrith scorers with one apiece.
The team returns to Greygums next week to take on Camden at 12:00 PM.
| 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
PENRITH |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
6 |
1 |
2 |
8 |
2 |
3 |
15 |
UTS |
5 |
7 |
37 |
10 |
12 |
72 |
16 |
14 |
110 |
20 |
17 |
137 |
PENRITH
Goal Kickers: A. Prowse , B. McGovern
Best Players: J. Rix, B. Priest, J. Scala, J. Weller, D. McKinnon, C. Knight
The second match of the Day saw the sixth running of the “Riff-RAAF Cup” against traditional rivals, Nor-West Jets in the local derby. The Rams were sitting in fourth spot with the Jets just outside the five and needing a win to stay in touch for finals contention.
Penrith jumped out of the gates quickly and secured three majors in the opening seven minutes and a massive scoreline was looking likely. Nor-West gained some composure shortly after, with their star full-forward, Peter “Pekay” Kyle coaching from the sideline after being ruled out with a heavy case of the flu. Penrith however, added another 2.5 to take a 29 point lead at the first break. The wild winds were causing havoc with accuracy as Penrith added another 1.5 in the second term for a 40 point lead.
The Rams were to add another 4.4 in the premiership quarter but had still held the Jets scoreless in a great defensive display. It was wide open for the home team as they completely dominated the final term but again the wild winds were the villain as Penrith added 2.12 before the final siren sounded, handing the Cup back again to Greygums with a 98 point win, Nor-West being unable to trouble the goal umpires with a waved flag all day.
Josh Chapple, returning to the club in recent weeks in his second year was the best for Penrith with a great running display. The dreadlocked Ed Kirby is a complete 88 minute footballer and posted some great hits in defence and backed up all day in an impressive display. Mitch Reinhart and Mark Jackson were always in the thick of things along with polished performer Lachie Smith, returning to the two’s after a few weeks off with injury. Lachlan Geeves has learnt the game very quickly and played a pivotal role in the win.
In a game which saw 10 players kick goals, Ben Robinson was the Rams only multiple scorer with three.
The Rams now will focus on their toughest clash of the year when they play the undefeated UTS Bats at Greygums Oval next Saturday at 2:10 PM
| 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
PENRITH |
4 |
5 |
29 |
5 |
10 |
40 |
10 |
14 |
74 |
12 |
26 |
98 |
NOR WEST |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
PENRITH
Goal Kickers: B. Robinson 3, J. Sultana , A. West , L. Murphy , T. Corless , B. Redfern , M. Jackson , L. Smith , B. Leech , E. Kirby
Best Players: J. Chapple, E. Kirby, M. Reinhard, L. Geeves, L. Smith, M. Jackson
The tough season for the young Rams continued when they were outclassed by comp leaders Sydney Hills Eagles in the Under 18's 12:30 PM match. The visitors were always in control of the game and despite the Rams showing good skills in patches, could not match the size and speed of the 2012 premiership favourites.
Pat Pope stood out for the Rams. The all-round sportsman put in a non-stop display and has been a very welcome addition to the team. Harry Doyle and Marty Wyburn also were kept busy with good games, whilst Sam Hunt, Luke Woodworth and Josh Zolfel tried hard all day.
The team gets a well deserved rest next week with their second bye of the season.
| 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
PENRITH |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
SYDNEY HILLS EAGLES |
4 |
4 |
28 |
11 |
10 |
76 |
19 |
15 |
129 |
30 |
16 |
196 |
PENRITH
Best Players: P. Pope, H. Doyle, M. Wyburn, L. Woodworth, S. Hunt, J. Zolfel
The final match of the day was the Div 1 clash against NEAFL club, Sydney Hills Eagles. The Eagles were to produce a very strong side with many players having Premier Division experience and it was probably their best side produced in this division in 2012.
The Rams had some mid-week withdrawals with James Devlin again being promoted from 18’s and Brayden Wilson and Tom Noble getting the call up from Div 4.
Each team had three scoring shots in a tight and physical opening term, but it was the SHE’s who converted two of them against the Rams on as they took a five point lead. It was the visitors to dominate the second term as they piled on for goals against just two from Penrith, who had plenty of work to do to get back into the contest in the second half facing a 16 point deficit, with points hard to come by.
The “premiership quarter” proved to be just that. Some half time changes in the structure saw a much more committed Rams grab the match by the scruff of the neck with four quick goals to take the lead, but a late Eagles goal saw the match in the balance with Penrith hanging on to a one goal lead. It was a very tough final 22 minutes as both teams scrambled for the ball. The Rams lead was extended to 13 but was cut back again to just one. A behind and a another goal saw what was believed to be an eight point buffer with two minutes on the clock according to the timekeeper sheet, scoreboard and both teams stats and the final siren sounded with a Rams victory. It was confusion however with the goal umpires as they failed to agree with the final score, finally adjudicating that it was just a six point win to the home side. Matt Gann proved effective up front with three goals whilst Dale Chivas added two, being the Rams multiple scorers.
The win keeps the Rams in third spot behind Manly and Southern Power in their first Div 1 season. Jake Pianta, playing against his former club, proved a destroyer with his best game for the Rams since joining. Another former junior who spent time with the Eagles before returning this year was also pivotal in the win. Kavera Carr has had a sensational season and worked hard all game in the win. The old school of Dale Chivas and Dave Bradley showed their toughness and skill as ever, producing fine efforts whilst youngsters James Devlin and Tom Noble were very effective.
The team enjoys the bye next week
| 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
PENRITH |
1 |
2 |
8 |
3 |
4 |
22 |
7 |
10 |
52 |
9 |
12 |
66 |
SYDNEY HILLS EAGLES |
2 |
1 |
13 |
6 |
2 |
38 |
7 |
4 |
46 |
9 |
6 |
60 |
PENRITH
Goal Kickers: M. Gann 3, D. Chivas 2, J. Anasis , J. Devlin , J. Edwards , D. Bradley
Best Players: J. Pianta, D. Chivas, K. Carr, J. Devlin, D. Bradley, T. Noble
It was the Ramettes to play the lone Sunday game as they travelled to Gwawley Oval at Taren Point to take on Southern Power, the team they played in their first ever trial back in March. The enthusiasm remains high, despite the team yet to open their account, with 24 players willing to make the trek.
On a beautiful day for football, Penrith came out running and dominated the opening five minutes. Nat Camilleri had a chance from 30 metres out which just sailed wide for the opening point of the match. It was a good opening term for the Ramettes, but the experience of Power started to show as forward movement s resulted in better finishes for the home side as they were able to post two majors, going to the first break with a 12 point lead.
With the breeze picking up in the second quarter favouring the Power, The Ramettes fell into the trap of watching the player and not the ball in a few contests and started to pay the price. It was a better term from the opposition as they posted another four unanswered goals. Mel Howard’s day was to come to an end with a knee injury, Rachael Eldridge suffered a heavy head knock that saw her unable to continue and the heat was taking a toll as the team tried to lift.
Again In the third quarter, Southern Power showed their class with quick ball movement and a great run of calls from the adjudicators, deflating the spirit of the team as they ran in five goals. Raelene Matthews went into a fierce contest with Power’s biggest player and the collision left both players sprawled on the turf, with Raelene coming out second best and spending the rest of the game accompanied by an ice pack. Two other injuries saw the side reduced to one left on the bench. The final term saw the team keep fighting to the end despite still at the receiving end of the whistleblowers. Claire Manuel was to see treble after an unrewarded “head over the ball” clash, leaving the bench bare as Southern Power added a final four goals to finish the game as worthy winners, but certainly not to the extent as suggested on the scoreboard.
Again, Penrith were valiant in defeat in a tough and physical encounter. Led by “Kaptain Kaos” Kirstie Burcher, the girls put in a committed performance again. “Kaos’s dad, Wayne, recently returned from 8 weeks in the USA, commented on how far the team has come since he last saw them trial in March.
The Ramettes were well served by the entire team on the day. The ageless Zeaona McDonagh was inspirational for the full game with great resolve in contesting the ball and solid clearances. Nat “Sticks” Camilleri again controlled the midfield despite the fact that Power had done their homework and targeted the diminutive midfielder. Jen “Big Bird” Brown again took to the air in her defensive role and was kept busy all day. Claire “Casper” Manuel looked white as a sheet after being knocked senseless late in the game, thwarted many raid by the Power and restricted the scoring. Birthday girl, Ashley “Smiling Assassin” Grosas, put in a top performance in front of her family on the sidelines whilst Haley Short caused many headaches for her opposing number.
Franzisca Fitting keeps showing her fitness and skills in the ruck and piles pressure on opponents, the “Green Machines”, April and Monique are both tough customers, Kate Easthope continues to defy injury and put in another solid effort as did the enforcer, Steph “Mirrors” Kostic and Jasmine Milojevic. In fact all the team put their hands up on the day.
Next Saturday the team returns to the “Graveyard” that is Greygums Oval with the much anticipated clash with UTS Shamrocks. Both are looking forward to the game which sees both teams fighting for their first win. The Shamrocks have had a tougher draw than the Ramettes, being pitted against last year’s Grand Finalists’ Balmain and Sydney Uni, both being beaten soundly but like Penrith, keep on keeping on the entire match. A great contest is anticipated and the Ramettes will be eagerly anticipating to debut the club song on Saturday in the 10:00 AM fixture.
| 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
Southern Power |
2 |
1 |
13 |
6 |
3 |
39 |
11 |
7 |
73 |
15 |
9 |
99 |
Penrith Ramettes |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
0 |
2 |
2 |
Penrith Ramettes
Best Players: Z. McDonagh, J. Brown, N. Camilleri, C. Manuel, H. Short, A. Grosas
Last Modified on 26/06/2012 21:10