With a not so ideal lead up to Fridays match against the Bulls I must admit I was unsure how it would all pan out. With regulars out due to rep duties, family and work we saw at least 8 players from our Grand Final team out for the re-match. With all credit going to the boys who stepped up, I am happy and proud to say that with a few phone calls and the calls of your club needs we saw Byron “Bonza” Mackay-Payne, Wayne Dykes and Gary Morton come down to lend assistance. By the time kick off came all fears had subsided. The intensity the boys showed and their commitment to the game plan showed with our boys maintaining dominance in both field position and ball possession. Our first try was scored in the 20th minute on the back of great lead up work thru the forwards. The boys didn’t let of the pressure and before long we where two tries up and were looking sharp with Scott Thompson guiding the ship from number 10. Unfortunately Barron scored late in the half to close the margin but we where not done with yet. Just shy of the half time break we bombarded the Barron line only to fall short of the line. From the first half we drew on just getting the little things done right and build from that. We went from strength to strength in the second half and to continue putting the Barron defence under continual pressure. With changes to rolling substitution laws we made strategic changes to assist in our forward dominance. With the impact of Wayne Dykes and Gary Morton entering the field the Barron Forwards didn’t know what had happened with the two of them scoring tries to put the lead out to 24 to 7. With a late consolation try to Barron we wrapped up the game at 24 to 14, preventing Barron any round points and giving us a well deserved 5 points. Stand out performances where Scott Thompson 3 points, Lloyd Wright 2 points and Grant Turner 1 point, credit to needs to go to Jordan Massey for a great effort as Captain, Tim Scott as usual, Rodel Glanville who despite being un well played a great game, Oscar Fasavalu playing out of position at lock and Bonza out of retirement to help his club. I would like to give credit to the entire club all of whom put there hand up when required and yet again made me proud to be their Coach. This weekend we take on Wanderers at Mann Street which going on their game from the weekend will make for an exciting game, please get all our supporters down there as this game is billed as the match of the round.
Tim Scott, Scott Thompson, Wayne Dykes and Gary Morton 1 try each, Dion Pryor 2 Conversions.
– David “Norto” Norton
