It was billed as the "Rivalry Round" when the young Rams took on their North Western rivals, East Coast Eagles on Saturday at Bensons Lane. The Eagles are relentless in their pusuit of silverware and throughout the years have searched high and low to entice players from all over Sydney including our own backyard. This was a very important match for the team, which was enforced during the last week by the coaching staff and probably treated with a bigger priority by ECE as they included many of their Premier Cup players in the team.
The 18-Aside match got off to a flying start with the Eagles grabbing an early goal in the blustery conditions but the Rams quickly levelled the score. With a mountain of possession they continued their forays into the forward line adding another three before a late goal to the home team showed they were not going to slow the pace of the match with the Rams having a fouteen point buffer at the break. The second quarter saw the intensity lift but with the strengthening wind slightly favouring East Coast, allowed them to kick three majors against the Rams single goal and as the half-time siren sounded, the boys were hanging onto a slender four point buffer.
With some positional changes made and an inspiring talk by the coaches at the break, it was again the Rams that dominated play everywhere except the scoreboard. Despite having more scoring opportunities, the Eagles three goal haul saw them hit the front at the three quarter break and the stage was set for a grandstand finish. Again, the "Warriors from the West" put their bodies on the line and had the better of play. With only a few minutes left to play and the Rams showing on the scoreboard as being two points behind, a last gap effort saw Shane Turner boot one through the big sticks to put the Rams in front. From the restart, East Coast charged forward and were awarded a penalty from an acute angle inside the 50. With five players in front of goal, one of them managed to take a mark and was rewarded with a goal to give them a two point lead. With seconds remaining on the clock, the Rams charged into the forward 50 but a high tackle was unrewarded as the siren sounded with the umpires conferring and declaring the game over. With mad celebrations by the Eagles a despondant Rams team gathered around the coach who consoled them and told them he was proud that they played their hearts out and only lost to a "stacked" team by two points. The speech was interrupted by captain Tayt Corless, who after speaking to the goal umpires informed him that the Rams had in fact won by four points, and the East Coast operated scoreboard had been incorrect. The raptuous scenes that followed confused both their opponents and the crowd as the boys belted out the club song. A very sweet victory indeed.
For the Rams, Brendan Cooke and Lachlan Gippel were both outstanding along with Dean Siljanoski and Kyle McDonagh who ran all day. Max Roberts and Reece Johnson were awesome in defence. Kirk Perkins and Shane Turner had great debuts for the team. Jakeman King-Smith was in the thick of things all game and was rewarded with his first goal in senior football whilst Josh Anasis kicked a double in his first game of the season. Special thanks to rested players Andy Simankowicz (Runner) Brent Venables (Goal Umpire) Simon Osborne (Boundary Umpire) and the injured Nick Perry (Support) along with club umpire Mark Steunenberg.
It all happens again next week when the team plays another of the "elite clubs", Pennant Hills Demons in the 10:00 AM fixture at Grey Gums Oval in their quest to go 3-0 for the season.
PENRITH RAMS 18's: 4.4-28 5.7-37 6.11-47 8.15-63
(D. Seymour 2, J. Anasis 2, J. King-Smith, T. Corless, R. Johnson, S. Turner)
defeated
EAST COAST EAGLES: 2.2-14 5.3-33 8.4-52 9.5-59
(B. Carey 2, T. Roberts 2, S. Tibben 2, M. Bailey, L. Collins, A. Tumminello)
Last Modified on 25/11/2008 06:24
