Match Preview - Penrith Ramettes V Uni NSW Stingrays
On Sunday, two matches are scheduled for the picturesque Dukes Oval at Emu Plains. The Ramettes start the day at 11 AM when they face up to Uni NSW Stingrays. After a great effort last week in their opening clash with Auburn at Monarch Oval, a full squad of 24 have been named on Sunday. The Ramettes suffer the loss of two key players, Vanessa Geisler and Stephanie Kostic. Three new players were welcomed to the team this week. Sharon Braddish, an ex-rugby player who has just retutrned form a long stint in the UK, Claire Manuel making another "brother/sister" Penrith combination and Rachael Eldridge. The Stingrays posted an opening round 25 point win against Southern Power at Mahoney Park and last week were certainly not disgraced in their 8 goal loss to premiership favourites, Balmain. The Ramettes trained very well with big numbers on Wednesday despite the public holiday and will be out to show their opponents they have not just joined the competition to make up numbers.
Match Report
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
Last Modified on 28/01/2013 11:16