Best on Ground: Claude, Nick & Bryce
Mariners Vs Barron Bulls – A grade:
The day began with uncertainty both from lack of backs at training and getting enough players registered to participate. We were committed to playing both grades as is our tradition. As it turned out, the back lines in both grades were new to each other but performed admirably, with new player, Chase Hay playing nearly two full games out of his normal position.
We started well with our support play so good, that we dominated possession for the first 20 minutes, but Barron defended very well, showed urgency in defence whenever we broke their line, and always threatened to steal our ball. Dominic Power at 10, displayed strong defence in a channel generally thought to be a weakness. Following instructions, he often ran straight and broke the line, but our support and ruck clearance were too slow to take advantage. Unfortunately not taking advantage of our breaks happened throughout the game, most noticeably in the second half when hard working lock Braden Veale called the off-loads at the advantage line and found himself in some space but a converging cover defence closing in on him and no red jerseys.
When we did get into an attacking position we lost the opportunity due to our mistakes (crooked throw, knocked the ball on etc). The wind was at Barron’s back and seemed to gust up whenever they needed to kick out of their 22, gaining 60 or 70 metres and giving us all the hard work to do again. The backs attacked out wide on the back of a forward pack which created the opportunities, but due to poor passing, dropped the ball. Our mistakes lost us the game. Barron on the other hand seemed in the zone and although they worked hard and well to their game plan to earn a victory, also somehow found magical flick-passes and passes at speed, going to hand. We are yet to get that at training, which is where it is enabled.
Mr Rodokal – Our new linesman!
Our scrum went well and began to dominate in the second half, several times almost pushing them backwards off their ball. We played the 80 minutes despite a scoreboard which had ballooned out to 34 points, and deservedly our forwards pick and drove their way across the line for a 5 pointer.
The loose forward trio of Claude Thompson (7), Bryce Stanley (6), and Nick Cameron (8) were everywhere in both defence and attack, topping the hit-ups stats as well as the tackling, in a full 80 minute performance, Claude earning Man of the Match, with Nick on 2 points and Bryce 1. Manager’s mug went to lock Sean Johnson, who although having 10 years or more on the rest of the forward pack, pushed himself hard for the full 80, always trying to get into the thick of it.
Score JCU 5 – Barron 34
Managers Mug – Sean Johnson
