Often described as a new generation of young Mariners, the boys took on the odds against a seasoned Rugby side and displayed the true spirit of our Club which would have both reassured the Old Boys and made them proud at the same time.
At the commencement of the season, we had lost 6 senior and representative players from the Club (Mitch, Tahl, Tom, Haryne, Sykes, Niko). For this game, we were without 6 of this season’s rep players as they played for NQ in the Qld Country Trials (Dudley, Christian, Kai, Liam, Bradley Manoi, and Dan Rosendale in U/19s). Barron, on the other hand had their rep players, and the core of last year’s Grand Final winning team. Due to commitments, we were also without the experience of play maker Gary Parker, the damaging Mosese Naikatini, and because of injury Nick Cameron (hurt by the referee in the previous game…….wot???) who has been playing the house down at no. 8 in A grade, and prop/second rower Sean Johnson (broken ankle – looking forward to having you back by August Sean). 8 players out of your A grade side not only puts a hole in A grade, but also affects Reserve grade. So with those depletions, and the traditional willingness to play both grades, with both Captains (Ryan in Reserve grade and Claude in A grade) showing leadership and determination, we took to the field aiming to win both games.
Reserve grade put up a dour performance, scoring first. Newbie and League convert Adam Du Bois had his first run-on game and confidently took on hooker. Clearly he enjoys tackling….someone…..anyone!!!…..if you’ve got a ball in your hands he’ll find you. Seb Holland, yes Brad’s younger brother, only started training this week, but as a forward did a mighty job filling in on the wing. Putting Andre Klink on the field, is becoming more like opening a Pandora’s box. With hidden talent emerging and an aggressive mind-set to tackling he is becoming a watched player. “Crabby” Turner answered the SOS to play – thanks Crab – with his usual gusto. Gus Thomsen who plays hooker, filled in determinedly at blind-side flanker. Ryan led by example but was taken off at half time to prepare for A grade. This coincided with Barron putting on two more tries and hitting the lead. To the credit of the boys, they re-organised and found the spirit to come back in the last 10 minutes and were unlucky not to score and come away with season points.
Barron def Mariners 24 – 12.
Tries: one each to Ryan Godfrey (no 8) and Chase Hay (inside centre)
Kicks: Bradyn Boske – 1 from 2 conversions.
Man of the Match went to Andre Klink 3, Bronson Hills got 2, Seb Holland got 1, and Manager’s Mug went to David “Disco” Ryan.
So it was up to A grade. 6 players backed up in the run on side and 5 others backed up on the bench. The match was always in the balance, and was locked at 12 all at half-time. Injudicious kicking and mistakes led to allowing them 3 second half tries and denied us season points, losing 27 – 17. Our scrum which had been pushed backwards early in the game gained parity and line-outs worked well – even winning some of theirs. Ryan playing at no8 worked hard in defence and aggressively hit-up when he could. Eugene Connolly is getting fit and becoming a “break the line” runner. Bryce Stanley is exhibiting the nuances of a no 7, turning up at the right time not only in defence but also attack– wherever it is on the field.! Much credit must go to the inspiring leadership of Claude Thomsen who every game, puts in a full eighty minutes of hard ball-running and tackling. We were to lose Djaua Somare from the wing with a recurrent hamstring pull, but on the other wing, hobbling with his post-surgical un-recovered knee was Bradyn Boske. The highlight reel will show he was given no choice but to hobble 45 metres down the sideline to beat the cover defence, then step inside the full-back to score our only second half try, amidst loud cheers of encouragement and laughter. Great effort Bradyn and well deserved – I don’t think you have missed one training session (other than when you were in hospital). I don’t know whether the opposition full-back felt sorry for you or was laughing too much, but his coach won’t be too happy.
Player stats are a valuable tool. Thanks to Nick we had some taken on Braden Veale (second row). The previous best recorded stats for the number of involvements (tackles/hit-ups/effective clean-outs) was held by Jesse O’Hara at 28. Braden did 30 – a mighty effort. This together with his running the line-out, positive talk and general play, won him Man of the Match -3. When it comes to accolades, the forwards, with their defence and line breaks, often overshadow the backs, and deservedly get the MoM points on a weekly basis. This week I looked past their efforts to acknowledge two young backs who go about their job of getting the basics of their position right in both defence and attack. Lachlan Aruha at inside centre got the 2 points and Suma Nona at outside centre got 1. There were no gaps found in mid-field this week!!
Managers Mug went to Eugene Connolly.
Tries:- 1 each to Stewart Gibson, Claude Thomsen, Bradyn Boske.
Kicks:– Ryan Godfrey 1 from 1 conversions.
