Alex Costello – Captain, Coach, Premier & Legend
Reserve Grade
It was a miserably wet day, but that didn’t stop a determined Penhryn Sharks from executing their simple game plan. Mariners on the other hand were still working out their run on side near start time, although clearly did start with intent, were not mentally switched onto “match time”, that is, getting structure and communication together with basics. A lesson learnt the hard way.
Two penalties unnecessarily given in the first few minutes for not rolling away, saw Penhryn gain 60 metres and attack our goal line and score. It was clear that our forwards were wanting to take on Penhryn, but becoming bunched and not communicating our defensive structure, allowed Penhryn to spin the ball, against a defensive line which came up but did not communicate the drift, and break out wide to score again. Our scrum was dominated and an injection of weight in the second half neutralised this, but its so hard to arrest a bad start and gain some momentum, as was seen in losing opportunites through mistakes like lost ball in contact.
Points: 3 to No 8 Ryan Godfrey for his non-stop efforts in attack and defense;
2 to winger Bradyn Boske recently back from knee surgery, trying to get involved and create some opportunities out wide
1 to half-back Gary Parker for positive talk and defensive game
Managers Mug went to Brian McCarthy
Score JCU 0 – Penhryn 20
Nick & Liam: Mariner Family Spirit on Display
A Grade
Credit to Innisfail for having to gather their players and travel to Cairns. It was unfortunate that they ran into a Mariners side which played well and luck kept favouring. But you do make your own luck.
We played well in all aspects of the game, preserving the incremental improvements we’ve made so far this year and also executing some new plays, in both back and forwards, the latter pleasingly resulting in tries. I guess its easier to do this if you aren’t under great pressure, but we will have gained confidence from making new decisions and executing under match conditions.
Flanker Bryce Stanley was dragged away from studying for his tradies’ exam to play outside centre and was rewarded with 2 tries. Christain Aruha scored two, lock Sean Johnson got a well-deserved meat pie with the forwards driving at the line, No 8 Nick Cameron also was rewarded for his defensive efforts and many line breaks with a try by supporting out wide –getting a magical inside pass from tight head prop Kai Lowah and stepping inside his surprised defender, then setting up a try assist for lock Braden Veale. Five-eighth Tim Horrocks scored a classic pivot’s try stepping inside his man and beating the cover defence. Winger Dudley Miles after giving us 80 minutes in Reserve grade as we didn’t have a five-eighth, had his usual honest and impactful game but pounced from about 50 metres away, on a defensive kick by Innisfail which went sideways for Dudley to gather just before it reached touch and he ran around under the posts for a 10 out of 10 dive.
Bradley Manoi was in the zone with 7 out of 8 conversations, and Andre Klink pleasingly got 1 out of 1.
Coming away with a bonus point and a large differential may well prove to be important come the end of the year.
The team gave 3 points to Alex Costello for his contribution to the Club over the years.
2 points went to open side flanker Claude Thomson for a huge work rate, but the pressure he put on their five-eighth which lead to turnovers and indeed resultant tries.
1 point went to TH prop Kai Lowah, for working his role but also for his try assist.
Manager’s Mug went to Dudley Miles.
Score: JCU 61 – Innisfail 5