Games so far in the home ground split round (Saturday's games) saw Senior Grade return to the winners' list with a 2 goal win over the previously unbeaten UTS.
Third Grade went oh so close to recording their first win with a gut-wrenching 1 point loss to the also unbeaten Randwick City Saints.
The Ramettes played their hearts out against the competition flag favourites Macquarie Uni and scored the first points against that side in season 2013.
All games at Greygums Oval
Saturday, 4th May
Ramettes (Sydney Womens' AFL)
Macquarie Uni 16.18 (114) d Penrith 1.0 (6)
From the Sideline Guru:
This week the Ramettes took on the high flying Mac Uni team , in front of a very vocal
supporters group. Whilst there was a large margin between the teams, the Ramettes took
another step up in their development.
The encouragement and support they give each other goes well for the future. As with
past weeks the first year players really stepped up and provided a solid effort for all
4 quarters. Megan Vella is quickly proving to be the dark horse of the squad, by
reading the playing style of the opposition and adapting her role.
We had Leanne Gordon play her first game for the team and the added height was most
welcome. In what was a tough game it was pleasing to see the forward line take every
opportunity to lock the ball in to ensure we made the opposition fight all the way.
this saw us score the only goal put on the board Against Mac Uni this season.
Mentions for effort must go to Steph, Andrea, Kate J, Kate E, and newcomers Eve and
Kath W.
Third Grade (Div 5)
Randwick 9.11 (65) d Penrith 9.10 (64)
From the editorial desk (the mysterious Anonymouse is on stress leave as a result of his monster report last weekend)
It was Luke Donoghue's 200th game for the Rams and as a recognition of his achievement coach Makin made him honorary captain for the day.
Having not registered a win for the season and coming up one of the top sides made the Rams' side's task look incredibly difficult. Despite a competitive start to the game, they went into the first break a worrying three goals down.
In perfect conditions for football, a spark ignited under the side and in the second term they rammed home five goals to wrest the lead from a shell-shocked Randwick. Kevin Kirk showed that the years may have dimmed the body but not the ability to take several strong grabs up forward and prove a major target.
With Harry Doyle and Martin Pope running amok around the ground, the ball was repetitively driven up forward to put the Randwick side under pressure that they didn't expect from a side they would have expected to beat handsomely.
The Rams managed to extend their lead to 19 points, by scoring the opening two goals of the third term. But then the tide turned. Randwick took control of the game, scoring the next four majors to take a slender five point lead into the final quarter. The Saints had the scoring end of the ground and things looked dim for the Rams.
The last quarter was a real arm wrestle. The Rams couldn't score, but were valiantly holding out Randwick with all they had, led by the milestone lad Luke Donoghue. But with the quarter - and the game - drawing to a close, they were a couple of majors down and looking gone.
But the side rallied and ventured forward repeatedly. And it bore fruit. That man Kirk stepped up yet again, booting two quick majors so that the final siren went with the scores level. Or so everyone thought. However, it turned out that the Rams had gone down by the narrowest of margins in a gut-wrenching result.
Kevin Kirk kicked a remarkable seven goals out of his side's nine. Harry Doyle and Martin Pope showed how much benefit a bit of run can provide to the side, while Dane Fysh continues to show improvement in his first year of Australian Football.
Scott Simington showed he hasn't lost it, featuring in the best players for the second time in his two games this season. While Aidan Cook, a welcome addition back to the club after an extended absence, also showed his ability.
Get together on the track boys - you showed that with a bit of work on the track that a win or two or three isn't far away!
Senior Grade (Div 1)
Penrith 10.6 (66) d UTS 8.6 (54)
Match report not received, brief summary follows:
The Rams were desperate for a win after a couple of recent narrow losses to both UNSW/ES and North Shore which had left the side languishing on the sole win, recorded in the opening game of the season. However beating UTS was going to be no easy task, with the Bats unbeaten and always a formidable opponent on the field for Penrith.
The game opened up with UTS having the better of the play, but the Rams found their bearings and by quarter time were ahead by a nose. It was a tough game, with goals hard to come by, but the Rams stood firm in the second quarter, kicking 3 straight goals to what would eventuate to be the lesser scoring end, while keeping their opponents to two - going in at half-time two goals up.
In a dogged third term, the Rams had all the play but UTS defended stoutly. Nevertheless, the home side was able to convert enough of their opportunities, whilst keeping UTS scoreless, to open up a commanding three quarter time lead of 28 points.
Any confidence in holding that lead soon abated however. UTS attacked relentlessly in the final term, while the Rams barely got the ball into their forward line. As well as the besieged Penrith defence help up, UTS were still able to get within a kick with several minutes to play and things were beginning to look grim for the Rams.
But remarkably, Penrith dug deep and managed to run the ball cleanly forward for one of the few times in the quarter and convert the opportunity into a rolled gold goal. This took the lead back out to a secure 12 points, which was successfully defended until the final siren.
Jones, Ponton and Sharp again featured in the best for the second week in a row, while the standout defender was the ever-reliable John Keane, in his return first grade game for the club after missing the 2012 season. There was an even spread of goals among nine players, with only Tim Cummins bagging a multiple.
Sunday 5th May
Under 18s (Under 18s Div 2)
Penrith 9.11 (65) d Balmain 5.18 (48)
From the Coach's Desk:
After a spirited effort against Moorebank the week before the Penrith Rams U/18s arrived at Greygums Oval for Saturday’s round 5 clash with Balmain hungry for a win.
In warm sunny conditions it was Penrith who jumped out of the blocks early with big full forward Angus Ehrl capitalizing on the great work of the midfield to boot 3.2 in the first 15 minutes of play before going down with a dubious kick to the leg at the hands of an opposition player. With Angus unable to take any further part in the game a restructured forward line was called upon to continue the fight with Anthony Leech, Jack Wagner, Jarrod Durham and Liam Davey exceptional in contesting the ball to bring our crumbers into play, whilst wingers Aidan Quick and Joel Fisher were running hot on their wings providing plenty of drive forward. The Balmain team began to get some system into their play to send the ball forward a number of times and it was through the fantastic work of our back six that Balmain was restricted to only 3 points for the quarter. Final scores for the quarter were Penrith 3.4 – 22 to Balmain 0.3 – 3.
The second quarter was a very even contest in general play however it was the young Rams who were able to convert more of their opportunities. The back six again put the opposition under immense pressure to restrict them to 1.6 for the quarter with the Rams scoring 2.4 which included a fantastic left foot goal on the run from tuff ruck rover Liam Veigel. Full Back Jeromy Watts, Back pockets Theo Whitmore and Kayne Quirk, Centre Half Back Zac Pianta and Back Flankers Patrick Pope & Joshua Zolfel all deserve special mention for their sensational work combining as a tight defensive unit to strangle the oppositions scoring opportunities before rebounding back into attack.
The third quarter saw the Rams on the attack once more, Marty Wyburn who had been forced to shoulder all of the ruck work once Angus was lost to injury had a sensational quarter giving our midfield first use of the ball with Centreman Shaun Ashman, Ruck RoverTarron Berry and Rover Nathaniel Brew capitalizing to drive the ball forward. Joey Eskander was on fire across half forward working hard to lock the ball in the forward half and scoring his first goal in AFL. Jacob Cooper on his wing had been consistent throughout the first half and took his game to a new level in the third quarter gaining many possessions and providing great aggression, run and carry. Whilst the midfielders and forwards were providing strong attack the back six were again stingy allowing the opposition only 4 points. The third quarter was won by the Rams 3.2 to Balmains 4 points.
Kayne Quirk who had done a fantastic blanket job on one of Balmain’s tall forwards was shifted into the ruck as Marty Wyburn had run himself into the ground. Kayne battled hard in the ruck but playing an undersized ruckman in the last quarter was always going to give Balmain some ascendancy in the middle. Once winning some midfield contests Balmain pushed numbers forward and they began to surge late scoring a number of goals with the opposition forward Kayne had kept in check for 3 quarters starting to cut loose as a result of Kayne’s move into the ruck. Finally it was the combination of Jacob Field’s last of his 3 goals and a great last quarter from gutsy rover Jarrod Dowton- who had been in the thick of the action all game that put a halt to Balmain’s charge putting the seal on a well deserved victory for Penrith. Final quarter won comprehensively by Balmain 4.5 to Penrith 1.2.
Unfortunately x-rays revealed Angus had sustained a leg fracture that will keep him out of action for the next 6 – 8 weeks and I’m sure I speak for everyone at the club in wishing Angus a speedy recovery – we all look forward to watching Angus slot plenty more goals in a couple of months time from now.
Final Scores;
Penrith: 9 – 11 – 65 Balmain: 5 – 18 - 48
Goal Scorers: Ehrl 3, Field 3, Leech, Veigel, Eskander
Best Players: Cooper, Watts, Dowton, Pope, Veigel, Wyburn
A reminder to all under 18s that Training this Tuesday night 7 May is at the Blue Mountains home ground, Tom Hunter Park, Hunter Way, Faulconbridge.
Reserve Grade (Div 3)
Penrith 18.17 (125) d Campbelltown 6.3 (39)
Match Report (courtesy "The Man On The Spot")
The Penrith Rams Division 3 team had a Sunday home game at Greygums Oval against Campbelltown. A couple of our experienced back men were playing up or away and a number of key forwards still missing. The emphasis at training during the week had been on taking the ball and hitting a target downfield which had been lacking in our earlier games.
This week the team was on song with a quick goal from Chris Manuel followed by two in a row from Chris Withers who blasted down the flank outrunning a couple of greyhounds training along the fence. Three more goals to Collimore, Camilleri and Jackson saw a lead of 36 - 0
The second quarter promised much but many of the good things the team was doing early in the game and the play became messy. Campbelltown matched goals from Shelley and another to Jackson before winning the quarter with a third goal. Half time saw Coach Michael unimpressed with the lack of effort and even though we still led 51 – 20 Campbelltown sensed a changed in momentum.
However the third and fourth quarters turned out to be similar to the first with the team demonstrating they had been paying attention at training by taking the ball and passing quickly down field to the point that the Rams dominated possession and forward attack. Withers kicked two more back to back followed by Looyschelder, Shelley and Weller for 5.8 to 1.1 in the third and a lead of 62.
The fourth quarter saw Jake Shelley come right into the game with two more goals and three posters denying him a bagful. Goals to Collimore, Manuel and Jackson saw us run out the game kicking five goals to two in the final quarter.
The experience of David Bradley playing in the midfield not only lifted the skill level of the team but many of the players commented on his willingness to teach them while playing and a lot was learnt by our newer players. Chris Withers pace and skill level for a first year player were impressive all day and Michael Brown, who moved up from Div 5, showed his defensive skills. Good games from Triffitt, Lewis and Geeves were highlights in an impressive all round team effort.
Final Score: Penrith 18.17.125 to Campbelltown 6.3.39
Best for the Rams Bradley, Withers, Brown, Triffitt, Lewis, Geeves
Goal kickers: Shelley, Withers 4, Jackson 3, Collimore, Manuel 2, Camilleri, Looyschelder, Weller 1
This Saturday we are the only team playing and it is against the old rival North-West Jets over at Bensons Lane commencing 1pm
Last Modified on 20/05/2013 21:14