Penrith Rams Div 1 side ended a three match losing streak on Saturday with a solid 42 point win over Sydney Hills Eagles at Bruce Purser Reserve. The victory sees the team jump back into finals contention in fifth spot on the 2012 ladder.
Craig Sharp took over the coaching role in the last week and selected an experienced squad for the all important clash. George Paneras was a late withdrawal on match morning and was replaced by talented Under 18’s player, Martin Wyburn, who had played the earlier match.
The teams last met in late June at Greygums with the Rams coming from a three goal deficit to win by just six points. In fact, it was the last time the side had tasted success and all players were committed to turning the season around after a disappointing June.
The “SHE’s” were again to get the better start and kicked 2.3 to 1.2 with Ben Robinson booting the only major for the Rams in a swirling wind that favoured the home side. The rams had plenty of opportunities in the second term, but could not finish off the job, with Robbo again being the lone goal-scorer. However, in keeping the Eagles to just a lone behind, Penrith found themselves two points in front as teams went to the sheds. The Rams sounded confident at the break, that they could take the game by the horns and as play resumed, looked bright as they ran into the strengthening breeze with great defensive efforts. In all they conceded 1.6 in a physical quarter but an Adam Sharp six pointer and a Dale Chivas goal saw them creep to a three point advantage at the end of the quarter.
A team of old started the quarter in sensational manner with a good setup in the middle getting the ball quickly up front for Robbo to kick his third in the opening minutes. From there on, it became a procession for the shell shocked Eagles as Chivas added another two, Robbo another and Blake Roberts snared a double. A seven goal final quarter against a lone Eagles goal giving the Rams an impressive 42 point victory.
In what was a real team effort, it was very difficult to select the best. Ben Robinson put in a slightly disappointing, by his standards, season behind him with a sensational match up front and was rewarded with four goals. Former East Coast player, Kavera Carr, played a stunning match against his old club back in June and repeated the dose again this time. Dale Chivas was again the inspiration of the team, directing the play and doing the hard stuff whilst cohorts Jay Edwards and Dave Bradley both contributed heavily. Nathan Wright, playing his 100th game for the Rams, never puts a foot wrong and was able to celebrate his milestone with an important win.
The task toughens next week when the side travels to the Northern Beaches to take on the undefeated ladder leaders and red-hot premiership favourites, Manly Wolves.
1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
SYDNEY HILLS EAGLES |
2 |
3 |
15 |
2 |
4 |
16 |
3 |
10 |
28 |
4 |
10 |
34 |
PENRITH |
1 |
2 |
8 |
2 |
6 |
18 |
4 |
7 |
31 |
11 |
10 |
76 |
SYDNEY HILLS EAGLES
Goal Kickers: J. Moeller 3, N. Campbell
Best Players: B. Trewin, M. Davis, M. Mack, J. Pecqueux, L. Butler, B. Carey
PENRITH
Goal Kickers: B. Robinson 4, D. Chivas 3, B. Roberts 2, S. Lockhart , A. Sharp
Best Players: B. Robinson, K. Carr, J. Edwards, D. Chivas, N. Wright, M. Payne
In the earlier match, the Under 18’s were no match for premiership frontrunnersSydneyHills, who scored a massive win. Penrith were hit hard by unavailabilities due to injury and school holidays. The Under 16’s players joined the side and played well against their bigger and faster opponents.
Chris Nolan gave his all for the Rams and was the best for Penrith, with harry Doyle putting in his usual 80 minute tough effort. Josh Zolfel and Sam Devlin impressed whilst theBlue Mountainsduo of 16 year olds, Brad Camilleri and Aiden Quicke showed class.
Next week the team heads South to play Illawarra at North Dalton Park.
| 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
SYDNEY HILLS EAGLES |
8 |
7 |
55 |
21 |
10 |
136 |
32 |
14 |
206 |
45 |
16 |
286 |
PENRITH |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
On Sunday two games were decided at Greygums Oval with the Ramettes opening the day in the 12 PM match against Southern Power. Despite being unable to register a win in their inaugural season so far, the dedicated bunch rallied to the cause with a full squad of 24 playing against a strong Power 17 girl team.
In the 16 aside match, the Ramettes started slowly allowing the Shire girls to run to a 4.3 lead in the opening term and they doubled this lead by half time to lead by 54 at half time. Despite some good movements, the big ground was to their disadvantage as Power added another 5.5 in the third session and were looking at 100+ win. But the Ramettes resolve again stood firm and they gained respect with a strong finish with only six scoring shots between the two sides resulting in Power just winning the quarter 1.2 to the local sides 0.3.
Stephanie Kostic again put her body on the line with superb defence and second efforts to top the polls for the best. Sharon Braddish and Nikki McNeill worked hard all day and again Nat Camilleri showed her class all over the ground whilst teenagers Kayla Badger and Lauren Bozic put in polished performances.
The side has a two week break before the final three matches of the year, all at Mahoney Park, starting with UTS Shamrocks on July 28.
1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
Penrith Ramettes |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
3 |
3 |
Southern Power |
4 |
3 |
27 |
8 |
6 |
54 |
11 |
11 |
77 |
12 |
13 |
85 |
Best Players: S Kostic, S Braddish, N Camilleri, N McNeill, K Badger, L Bozic
The 2:10 game saw the Rams take on the red hot Gosford outfit, who were shooting for their 11th straight win in the Div 4 match. The teams last met in Round Three at Adcock Park with Gosford taking the match by three goals. Penrith fielded a strong side despite a few injuries in all grades and Gosford also had key players missing from their earlier clash.
It wasn’t long before Penrith posted the first goal in a skilful first term. Four straight kicks resulted in the home side taking a 17 point lead and they were able to add another 4.5 in the second quarter to have a handy 34 point buffer at the long break. The intensity dropped off in the third term but Penrith were able to edge another 10 points in front for a match winning 44 point lead. Gosford to their credit fought back well and pick up 2.3 keeping the Rams goalless with only two minor scores recorded but as the siren sounded it was a 31 point wins to the Rams to keep their third spot intact.
Experienced veteran, Mark Jackson was sensational all day and was rewarded with a rare double. Gordon Howell burrowed through packs and played his best game of the season. Ed Kirby, after a successful stint in the top grade again showed class in his first year of football along with 2012 debutants, Scott Randall and Mark Batten whilst captain Christian Triffitt produced his usual masterful display. Mark Jackson, Tayt Corless and Lachlan Geeves all shared the kicking honours, all with doubles.
On Saturday the team takes the trek to Manly to take on the fifth placed Wolves, who are fighting for a finals spot. Penrith scored a good win at home over the Wolves earlier in the season but will need to be at their best to repeat the dose on the awkward Weldon field.
| 1QG | 1QB | Q1PTS | 2QG | 2QB | Q2PTS | 3QG | 3QB | Q3PTS | 4QG | 4QB | PTS |
PENRITH |
4 |
0 |
24 |
8 |
5 |
53 |
10 |
10 |
70 |
10 |
12 |
72 |
GOSFORD |
1 |
1 |
7 |
3 |
1 |
19 |
4 |
2 |
26 |
6 |
5 |
41 |
Goal Kickers: M. Jackson 2, T. Corless 2, L. Geeves 2, M. Cummins , J. Lekkas , M. Woodford , C. Triffitt
Best Players: M. Jackson, G. Howell, E. Kirby, S. Randall, M. Batten, C. Triffitt
Last Modified on 08/08/2012 23:27