
Third grade lost 0-19, which wasn't a true reflection of a really close game. Numbers were a concern before players arrived from everywhere, such great Club spirit how everyone wants to help their mates and help their Club. 3pts to Jordan McComb who was also voted players player. 2pts Josh Blackwell and 1pt to new player Jordan Huszarek. Special mention to Grant Pavett who ran out as a Shark after countless games over the hill for the Trojans. Another father son moment when he got on the field with his Mitch Pavett.
2nds really highlighted the difference between a team that has had serious pre season training and a side that has been a bit more causal about its early season work. The score blew out in the end with us going down 12-54. Tries to David Ireland and Brooke Morgan with Dylan J Duck converting one of them. 3pts to Brook Cheezy Morrow, 2pts to Luke McPhie and 1pt to his brother Jacob McPhie - both new to the Sharks. Luke also picked up the players player votes for his showing at #10.
Then on to the big game with a couple of late changes having Justin Staben pulling on the #10 jersey and Sam Puckett coming onto the wing and Speedy to fullback. Initially it was mainly about penalty kicks in the first half until Daniel Aguirre-Acevedo steamrolled down the wing to get us to an 8-6 lead. A late try to them had us trailing 8-11 at the break. That quickly went out to 8-18. Then for the majority of the second half we were camped inside their territory, but couldn't get through their defence until Brooke Morgan scored his second try of the day in his third game. That left about 15 minutes of more attack, a couple of disallowed tries and we couldn't get the points, finishing 13-18. A first ever win to Warnervale over an Avoca 1sts, well done to them. Speedy added a penalty to the two tries. 3pts and players player to Blake Jacob, 2pts to Emile Thomas & Chad Martin (yep the entire back row) with 1pt to Dan Aguirre-Acevedo.
The new boys in firsts all excelled; Blake Jacob obviously so from the coach and player votes, Max Stewart is improving so much that his future has no limits, Jared Fitzsimmons in the second row was awesome and Sam Evans took on the half back job so well you'd never guess he was fresh from u17s last year with Max. The tackling from all the team was sensational, but Dylan Hardaker was channelling Thor while maybe earning a new Hitman nickname.
Club spirit was the winner today, with more than half the u19s backing up to help in Grade. Then 11 of the third graders also played higher grades, a lot of them as starters in the top 2 matches. There will be some tired bodies tomorrow, but a lot of happy men knowing that a new season has finally begun.
Next week v Woy Woy at the Sharkpool.