Division 1
Mac Uni Warriors 12.8.80 beat North Shore 12.7.79
The Warriors took on the top of the table Bombers at Gore Hill in what was always going to be a tough match against such a strong Premier League club. The Bombers have strengthened up considerably under their new Premier League coach and had up to 12 Div 1 players missing out on a game due to increased depth on the weekend.
With two late changes to our backline, in Carter Mullins and Brodie Cooper pulling out on Friday, we had to plug some big holes with Carts and Coops two of our best from the previous weeks win against East Coast. We brought up the exciting Sammy Lehmann from 2’s along with new recruit Luke Redman who, whilst underdone in match fitness, it was thought the challenge of playing against his former club might lift him to play a big role in our side.
The side started perfectly with Scott Cations and Brett Harland helping us to 3 quick goals and showing a side that beat us by 10 goals in the pre season that we had not only improved but where here for the 4 competition points. Dean Connors was felled by a high tackle early and went to the sidelines for treatment before returning to kick a magnificent captain’s goal before another high shot ended his day.
Brett Harland and Andrew Polkinghorne were standouts from the first minute of the day. Both started up forward and had a heap of ball before moving onto the ball at various stages as we were down to two on the bench half way through the 2nd quarter.
With a 4 goal lead by half time the players new just like East Coast the week before that North Shore would leave no stone unturned in trying to claw there way back into the game. And the last half was certainly all North Shore with the Bombers slowly but surely pegging our lead back. Despite the best efforts of Scott Cations 4 goals and James Brackin 2 goals the limited bench rotations started to take a toll on the midfielders.
Our inside tackling and defence pressure dropped off and the statistics taken by Peter McMurrich clearly showed this at the ¾ time break.
However, with a 2 goal breeze in the last and the players determined not to walk away without the 4 points the players withstood a big North Shore last quarter and it was perfectly scripted with James Brackin kicking the winning goal with around 5 minutes to play to put us up by 8 points. North Shore then hit back with another goal and also a behind before some last line defence in the final minute by Donnie Ollington ensured a 1 point win to the Warriors.
Once again our big ruckmen Kev Jones & Patrick Sobb were standouts along with forwards Scott Cations, Brett Harland and Andrew Polkinghorne. Luke Redman and James Brackin were extremely solid all day against their former club whilst Tim Scoular and Dylan Brogan were strong down back.
Best on Ground: Brett Harland, Andrew Polkinghorne, Tim Scoular, Scott Cations, Luke Redman & James Brackin
The Warriors also had wins in the 4th Division under Matty Scoulars superb coaching however the best result of the weekend goes to our Under 18’s who had a great win against Moorebank and showing the Under 18 alliance with Pennant Hills can and will work in the future. Congratulations to coaches Jason Lyall, Paul Robinson & Nathan Sullivan.
All teams are at home this weekend with the big game at 4.30pm with the Warriors up against Pennant Hills which is Deano, Rig, & DK’s former club in what will be a crucial game with the winner going to a 3 -1 record and the top 4.
Division 3
Mac Uni Warriors 11.8.74 lost to Campbelltown Blues 12.4.76
No report
Best on Ground: P. Grzic, B. Heard, D. Avery, B. Julien, P. Le Breton, M. Bishop
Division 4
Mac Uni Warriors 20.19.139 beat Camden Cats 1.10.16
Macquarie trekked down to Camden on Saturday for a game against the rejuvenated Cats. The Cats had achieved reasonable results thus far in the season and so we were expecting a hard fought contest.
The first quarter started in a similar vein to the last two rounds as the Warriors put an imprint on the game right from the opening ball up. Jockey was finding plenty of footy right from the start and Shippy showed great endeavour fighting hard for the ball. The hard work done in the middle allowed our forward line to be inundated with ball and if not for our infamous inaccuracy we could have had the match wrapped up at quarter time. Scores 5.7.37 to 0.3.3
The second quarter was played under strict instructions to keep the Cats from scoring a goal and also to put on 5 more of our own, and through hard work and better ball use we were able to achieve this. Storky provided great rebound off half back and Salmon in his first game for the year was proving to be a wall at centre half back with nothing getting past. The forward line continued to fire with Steve kicking his third for the game and Butch and Burnsy giving great support. At half time we had extended our lead to 67 points.
In previous weeks our third quarters had been lacking somewhat but today the boys continued to drive hard all day, putting on another 5 goals. Dave was finding a heap of the footy while Jockey continued to rack up disposals, and once again our forward line was kept nice and open. Gareth continued to run and break the lines and managed to drift forward and kick a well deserved goal. By three quarter time we had pushed the margin out to a 93 point lead.
The last quarter was pretty much a repeat of all other quarters, as the boys continued to apply great pressure and run hard as they had done all day. Steve slipped in for a fifth goal in a great performance in the forward line and Burnsy and Butch also added to their tallies, with these three kicking 12 between them on the day. For the third time in three weeks the back line was rock solid, conceding just one goal, and meaning that we have now conceded a measly 6 goals in three games of footy.
A very consistent performance from the boys (we kicked 5.4.34 in the second, third and fourth quarters) as well as 5.7 in the first – a great indicator that we are playing a full four quarters of footy. The end score was 20.19.139 to 1.10.16
Best on Ground: S Powell, A Lal, B Stork, S Mann, G Smith, E Byrne
Goals: S Mann 5, E Byrne 4, S Uglow 3, D Munday 2, N Nath 2, M Bourke, C Jefferies, G Smith, A Lal
Division 4
Mac Uni Kookas 2.2.14 lost to Manly Wolves 22.25.157
On Saturday, April 24, the ninth placed Kookas presented to North Narrabeen Reserve for a yardstick clash against the eight placed Manly-Warringah. Both teams were heading into round three with one win and one loss.
The field was looking a little patchy, while the weather was warm and overcast with strong winds.
Pre-kickoff the Kookas faced some late side changes due to a couple of footballers being moved over to the Warriors and a single late withdrawal which allowed three of the emergencies to get a run. The final Kookas team that took to the field at 10am included seven players who were recording their first game on the season.
In the first, the Kookas were kicking against what could be considered a three goal breeze. Aaron Harch started strong in the ruck winning a few taps however the wind allowed Manly to feed the ball into their forward line with ease meaning the Kookas backline had their work cut out as the ball found itself in their defensive 50 for 90% of the quarter.
Chris Lewis who entered the side after returning from a vacation to Malaysia was proving to be a strong asset at back pocket by recording a high possession count and clearing the ball out numerous times.
Although Manly continued putting goals on the board competition remained tight and it was evident that all of the training drills with tackle & bump bags was starting to pay dividends. The tackles were outstanding and second and third attempts were on par as the Kookas pulled out their most physical game of the season. Standout tackles where placed by Jordan Harley, Gareth Hood, David Woods, Adam Thillart and Chris Hayes.
However the Kookas tendency to be dragged from their field position and crowd the backline was once again proving to be a major dent in their armoury. On turnovers this left the Kookas low on playing numbers across the centreline and without the ability to run the ball down the corridor into the forward line.
At half time the message delivered to the players was to simply stick with the basics by being accountable, tagging your opponent and playing in a 20 meter radius of your field position. This proved to clean up the Kookas game in the third and eventually resulted in Matt Chaplin recording the first major of the day. The Kookas failed to convert on several other opportunities to put some goals on the board.
Ben Hutton kicked the other only other goal of the day.
In the end it was a result that didn’t reflect the effort that the Kookas delivered to the game. They introduced everything that had been practised at training however some basic errors on the occasion let them down in a big way. Final scored Manly 22.25157 to Kookas 2.2.14.
Best on Ground: Gareth Hood, Chris Hayes, Andrew Kent, Tom O’Neil, Chris Lewis, Adam Morris
U18 Challenge Cup
Mac Uni Warriors 11.11.77 beat Moorebank Magpies 7.5.47
Round 3, nice trip out to sunny and stormy looking Moorebank (Warwick Farm) on a Saturday afternoon saw 19 enthusiastic Under 18’s turn up ready to go. Fabes return from holiday a day early from Queensland which made a full complement from the Uni.
1st qtr was fairly equal and took some 13 minutes before the scoreboard was required to have a digit on it. From the Uni players it was a time of getting used to each other and the coaches sorting out positional places. Qtr time Moorebank were leading 2.2.14 to the Uni 0.3.3.
2nd qtr saw the Uni starting making some headway, keeping the opposition scoreless while putting in 4 unanswered goals. Half time saw Moorebank 2.2.14 to Uni 4.3.27.
3rd qtr Uni increased its lead further and by the end of the 3rd qtr we were leading 8.4.52 to Moorebank’s 3.4.22.
4th qtr should have blown the score further our way but inaccurate kicking caused the qtr to be even with the Uni winning the game 11.11.77 to Moorebank 7.5.37.
Highlights of the game would be the intensity that the Uni players played at especially with getting numbers around the ball and putting pressure on the opposition. The running of the onballers was also a strong highlight of the game.
Good strong performance for this time of year.
My thanks to the parents for helping out. Tim for Umpiring and Susie for the physio work.
Oh and by the way for the Pres Lethal for help with the club song after the game seeing not many people knew it. (Better learn quick Guys).
Robbo, Fabio & Sully
Best on Ground: Z. Fenn, L. Wordsworth, E. Stillman, A. Murphy, A. Brockway, K. Eynaud
Goal scorers: Lyndon 3, Skinny and Elliot 2, Adam Martin, Napoleon, Ollie and Crispin 1.
Sydney Women’s
No report
Best on Ground:
Last Modified on 28/04/2010 08:01