2002_3_Match

In a sensational game of football, Arana scraped home by the barest of margins against last year's premiers, 15-14. Both teams played the game in a magnificent spirit, the only real downside being a terrible injury suffered by the Redlands fullback, Trent, in the first minute of the match. It is hoped he can recover to rejoin the team later in the year.

The game started at a furious pace, which was maintained for practically the full 60 minutes. Arana gained territorial advantage early, but strong Redlands defence kept them from scoring and they looked to have weathered the early storm, but from a long kick downfield, Alex F stole the ball from the Redlands (acting) fullback one-on-one and scored wide out. Luke narrowly missed the conversion and Arana led 4-0 after 10 minutes. The next 20 minutes was an absorbing, see-sawing battle with both sides' defences blunting the attacking raids. Finally right on half time, Arana hooker Brendan spotted a gap from dummy half, and darted over from 10 metres out - once again the try was unconverted but this, in the end, was a critical try and the 8-0 lead looked bigger than that given the quality of the defence.

Arana commenced the 2nd half well, and were rewarded in the 37th minute when Dean put Alex T through a gap magnificently about 45 metres out - Alex raced away to score under the posts, and when Luke knocked over the conversion the Arana fans were breathing more easily with a 14-0 cushion. Their relaxation was to be short-lived as with 18 minutes to go, Redlands hit the accelerator, and with Brian P in overdrive (ably assisted by Mosa and Jay A) they launched an unbelievable comeback, scoring 3 tries in 11 minutes (2 to Brian, one to Jay), one converted and drew level at 14 all with 6 minutes left. Arana looked out on their feet, and when Redlands were awarded a penalty 20 metres out, right in front, with 4 minutes left, it looked to be curtains for the Panthers.

Redlands rightly took the kick for goal, but with one flag up, one flag down (would you believe!), the ref waved it away and Arana breathed again. A quick 20 metre drop out by Alex T, went nearly to the opposition 20,and with a great hit by Dean and Rohan dislodging the ball, Arana saw their chance. A solid set brought them within scoring range and a dart towards the posts by Nash, set up a 5th tackle shot for field goal. Under pressure from Mosa, Alex T calmly (!?!) slotted the one-pointer through the sticks from about 15 metres out, and 8 to the right of the posts, for Arana to grab the lead. Arana played out their next set, leaving Redlands half a minute to salvage the match, but when Josey flew across in cover to snuff out a promising last gasp move the match was over.

For the winners, Rohan , Brendan and Josey were outstanding in the forwards, with great support from Matt, and Phippsy off the bench. In the backs, the two Alex's shone, with Nash and Josh defending magnificently ably supported by Dean. Luke, once again, was a standout at fullback, his tackle on a rampaging Jay A in the first half certainly one to remember. For the visitors, I thought Brian P was outstanding, well supported by Mosa, Jay, and Nathan in the forwards and the two halves Ben and Matt. A special word for the little fellow who stepped in at fullback when Trent got hurt - he put in an amazing effort - his catching of a couple of bombs was unbelievable and he wasn't frightened to take on the biggest Arana forwards in defence.

This really was a great game of footy - let's hope there's more like this in 2002.

Brad T

6/4/2002

COMMENT:

Congratulations to the players and support staff from both teams for this magnificent game of football played in such a great spirit - I know it's a cliche, but a draw would have been a fair result - luckily for Arana they grabbed their chance to win, after Redlands had narrowly missed theirs. Also to Trent from Redlands - I hope your injury is not as bad as it looked and congratulations on your bravery while waiting over an hour and a half for the ambulance before you could get some pain-killers - Hope to see you back in our next clash!!