ROUND 5 WRAP – SATURDAY AUGUST 15
After four rounds of season 2020 seeing Penrith Rams dropping just one game each round, it became the perfect weekend with a clean sweep by all teams. Another week of rainfall and doubts of the rounds being played, Saturday matches proceeded under blue skies and blustery win as the Ramettes headed to Sydney University with the men’s team playing South West Sydney Magpies at Rosedale Oval, Warwick Farm.
Ramettes V Sydney University at Sydney University #1 Oval
After a big morale boosting win against Macquarie University at home the previous week, the Ramettes were determined to continue their form against the students on the tricky Uni oval.
It was all one-way traffic in the opening term with the Ramettes pouring on four unanswered goal, two to Kate Walker and two, including an impossible kick from the boundary, to Claire Manuel as the girls attacked the Sherrin with ferocity.
The second term saw a better performance by the students as the visitors appeared to take their feet off the pedal but had a 34 point to lead buffer.
As the match got physical in the second half, the Ramettes again showed grit and determination to pile on another six majors and allowing just Uni’s single goal for the match to record an impressive 68-point win.
The win propels them to fourth spot on the ladder and they join the men’s teams in a finals position,
Emma Nolan had her best game yet, her brutal defence and superb clearances awarding her a best on ground performance. Ainslie Jones and 2020 newcomer, Eloise Schodel impressed with strong running games whilst Amy Sutas kept the crowd on their feet with bone jarring tackling in the defensive line. Claire Manuel continued her good form after many years away, kicking a treble, with Co-Captains, Kate Walker and Ainslie Jones the other multiple scorers both with a double.
Penrith Ramettes 11.9-75 def Sydney University 1.7-7
Reserve Grade V South West Sydney Magpies at Rosedale Oval
Reserves opened up proceedings for the men’s teams at Rosedale against the Magpies under clear skies and blustery winds. Greygums ground curator, Bryce Roney was to play his 100th match, but was a late withdrawal, reportedly suffering exhaustion from a week of repairing divots from the previous Saturday’s games. Former Goanna, Jesse Haurua, was to make his club debut along with Kyabram District player, Jamie Densley and former Blue Mountains Kangaroo junior, Daniel Tupper.
South West Sydney are a very proud club with flag winning teams in the last decade but have struggled in the past few years. Full credit goes to them for fighting to remain in the Platinum competition.
Penrith were able to get off to a sparkling start, pouring on a 7.3 opening term keeping their opponents blank. Like the earlier girls’ game, the pace slowed in the second quarter with some undisciplined play but still going to the long break with a 69 point to nil lead.
It was just to be another seven goals in the final half due to some tireless work by the Magpies defenders with Penrith running out winners by 121 points.
After the undefeated Southern Powers shock loss to Randwick, the Rams now sit on top of the ladder under the match ratio system.
Mercurial Luke Burcher was brilliant for the Rams with clever runs and accurate, driving kicks to the forward line, skills obviously acquired from father and former Ram, Wayne and sister, current Ramettes Kirstie. Ed Kirby, with a dry July behind him, continues to lead from the front with another top line display and Ram returnee Shamous McDonagh proving a handful for his luckless opponents.
It was a sparkling effort by Dylan Nelson, booting a personal best 8 goals, his biggest haul in seven years with the club. Gavin Kirk, Dion Redding and Jeremy Skinner all contributed with doubles.
Penrith Rams 17.19-121 def South West Sydney 0.0-0
First Grade V South West Sydney Magpies at Rosedale Oval
The final game of the Rams saw First Grade take on 7th placed Magpies. The Pies have only recorded one victory this season against the winless bottom feeders, Blacktown Magic.
The first half provided scares for the Rams who were at unbackable odds. Although dominating play early, Penrith could score the only major in the opening 22 minutes but along with seven minor scores, took just an 11-point lead. The second term appeared to show the visitors falling into a similar trap as the previous week, not playing their own style of game and their opponents forcing them into a “scrappy style” of footy, with both teams kicking two goals apiece, but another five behinds giving the Rams a 15 point buffer as the hopes for the Magpies and noises from their supporters became bigger and louder.
A suspected half time roast by coach Kevin Kirk drove the team to a better style of play in the next quarter with a six-goal haul to put the team in a much more comfortable position leading by 53 points. The momentum again slowed in the final 22 minutes, with both teams adding a goal each and the Rams recording an astonishing 22 behinds to record a 57-point victor, propelling them to second spot on the ladder.
Zac Lange worked tirelessly all day in his best on ground performance, Tommy Noble was expecting an easier day in the backline but had to work hard in defence as the Pies kept coming whilst Bailey Sims showed off toughness and skill in his second game with the club.
Mitch Stevens proved the most accurate player with six goals with Phil Aumann (2) Zac Lange and Jordan Ware finishing with one each
Penrith Rams 10.22-82 def South West Sydney Magpies 3.7-25
Next Week the men travel to Gipps Rd, Greystanes to play Parramatta Goannas whilst the Ramettes head to Harrington Park to take on Camden
Thanks to all that attended, helped and supported the teams. An extra thanks to Zac Redding who umpired the Ramettes match before racing to Warwick Farm to officiate in the reserves match.
Last Modified on 18/08/2020 15:24