11 July Review

The weather stayed good and the quality of rugby matched the day at Ettalong against Woy Woy. A couple of close losses and a couple of big wins for the Seniors. u19s started off as a fairly close contest, but our boys got better as the game went on and finished with a 71-12 win. 3 tries, 2 conversions and the 3pts to Thomas Starkey, 2 tries and players player to Conor Redmond, 2 tries and a conversion to Josh Davies. Tries to Max Stewart, Ethan Fullagar, Ash Sim & Blake Heron. Conversions to Matt Ritchie (2), Ethan Fullagar, Rhys Stratton, & Blake Heron. 2pts to Ethan Fullagar & 1pt Ryan Newcombe. Thirds were facing a team with a sharp backline and a very big pack. In the end they got extremely close and a couple of better bounces might have changed the 7-14 result. One of the highlights was a sensational tackle from Chris Lewis on one of their big boppers, definitely a "wow" moment. Our scoring was a penalty try, converted by Nathan Brown. 3pts to Sam So'oialo, 2pts Ben Barrington, 1pt Tod Wadey & Justin Thomas. Players player Chris Oakes. 2nds kept their mid season turnaround going with a strong 36-17 win. Lots of good players right across the field and always seemed to have the game under control. Harry Watkins in only his 2nd game of the season turned it on for 3 tries, other tries to Chris Peihopa and Nathan Brown. 3 conversions to Luke McPhie, 1 conversion and a penalty to Nathan Brown. 3pts to captain Shaun Thompson, 2pts Paul Leef, 1pt Jared Fitzsimmons with Nathan Brown getting the players player. Then on to the big game, where we got away to a great start and had a 12-0 lead very early in proceedings. They replied with 2 tries of their own and penalty right on half time gave them 17-12 lead at the break. The 2nd half was much tighter and highlighted by some exceptional goal line defence from the Sharks early in the piece. When we were first to score again the 19-17 lead was looking very good. But they finished with a try and a penalty to get the win 19-25. That returns the David Steele Cup to Woy Woy after we had claimed it in the first round. 1 try, 3pts and players player to Pete Steele, a try to Justin Staben, a try and 1pt to Jack Booker, 2 conversions to Dylan Hardaker with 2 pts to Joshua Fash Meadham. A big day for Luke Wiseman called up from the u19s for his first start in 1sts. Another u19 Harry Watkins had his first time in 1sts when he came on as a reserve in the 2nd half. The closes loss bonus points in 1sts and 3rds might be very important in those tight competitions.
Have to mention the great news from the older Juniors, with the u16s winning , possibly for the first time in comp ages, against Woy Woy. While the u17s maintained their good form with a win against Gosford. Next week Seniors at home against Hornsby. Cheers Boys!