ROUND 7 PREVIEW:
There are three more games this weekend with Easts and Logan Brothers having byes. With the first round drawing to a close, competition for Chairman's Flags spots is hotting up, with the top 5 teams still in contention.
On Friday night Redlands take on Slacks Ck. Redlands were in top form last week, and it is hard to see Slacks Creek getting close, although rumour has it they have picked up some new players to cover some recent defections to other clubs - certainly not a game the Parakeets should be taking lightly.
The early game on Sunday should be a very interesting clash with the "hot and cold" Magpies taking on the Dolphins, smarting from their first loss of the season last Friday night. Redcliffe were somewhat disappointing in that game, whereas, on the same night, Souths could hardly have been more impressive in their whipping of Centenary. They will be looking to carry that form into Sunday's game, but there is no way that Redcliffe can be discounted, as their recent win against Logan Brothers in difficult circumstances testifies. Very hard to pick a winner in this contest, but the home ground advantage may tilt the match the Magpie's way.
Arana are back at home for the first time in 4 weeks on Sunday afternoon, hosting Centenary in the clash of the Panthers. Both teams have injury worries, although Arana's depth this year will certainly help in that area. Arana's comeback win against Logan Brothers, playing the 2nd half with 6 top players out hurt or sick, and several more nursing injuries, will have built up their confidence, and they will be looking for a win to hold their spot at the top of the table. Centenary will not go down without a fight, and they will be desperate for a win following consecutive losses to Redlands and Souths, after their good start to the season. This should be a very entertaining match, hopefully not affected too much by the absence of key players on both sides.
Hope everyone enjoy's their league this weekend play hard, play fair and may the best team(s) win!!
Brad T
30/4/2002
ROUND 6 WRAP:
With the new competition setup there were only 3 games this weekend, with all of them being very interesting match-ups. The first Friday night game was a replay of the 2001 U13A Grand Final between Redlands and Redcliffe, this time at Dolphin Oval, the first time Redlands had ventured across the Houghton highway. The visitors certainly jumped out of the blocks well, and 2 clean line breaks by Ben E saw them score an early try. They carried the good work on throughout the first half, and despite Redcliffe being camped in the Parakeets quarter for long periods they could not score, and Redlands led 14-0 at half time. Two more Redlands tries early in the second half really killed off any hopes of a Redcliffe comeback, particularly with Jed having to go off with a head knock. Redcliffe scored two late tries including a spectacular 70m effort by Chris J to bring the final score to a more respectable 22-12 to Redlands. In the other Friday night game, a determined Magpies outfit turned around their performance of selection day to blow an injury depleted Centenary outfit away 36-6. Souths have shown they have the ability to do this in many games, and if they can get rid of their inconsistency will be a real threat in this competition. Centenary must be concerned about their depth, and are finding out how hard it is week to week with a minimum of reserves (or none at all!)
The Sunday game saw the undefeated Arana Panthers travel to Civic Park to take on Logan Bros. As for last year's clash the day was wet and miserable, although, as it turned out, the rain stayed away for most of what turned into a titanic struggle. Arana took the field without Brendan, who had a bad virus and with captain Alex T with an arm injury, and front rower Phippsy, with five stitches in his shin, courtesy of a mid-week clash with a pit-bull, on the bench. With the locals storming away to a 10-0 lead after only 6 minutes it looked like it was going to be a dismal afternoon for the visitors. Alex F brought some hope with a brilliant individual try in the 10th minute - with seemingly nothing on, he chipped kicked ahead from 40 metres out, then brilliantly dribbled the ball ahead with his left foot perched over the touch-line and managed to dive on the ball in the in-goal area. Logan hit back quickly however and scored 2 more tries, the first from an intercept, and the second after an Arana error in their own quarter, to seemingly have the match well in control at 22-4 with 9 mins remaining in the first half. Arana regained some hope when a good back line move saw stand-in captain Josey crash over in the corner to bring the deficit back to 14 points at half-time.
The first 15 minutes of the second half saw a revitalised Arana play a much better brand of football, and despite the loss of Rohan with a knee injury, and Matt H (who was Arana's best forward in the first half) with a shoulder knock, they started applying pressure to the Logan defence. They ended up being rewarded with 3 tries in 7 minutes, the first when Scott dived over from dummy half after a Phippsy charge, the second when Nash spotted a gap and darted through it after Alex T recovered a downfield kick, and the third when a Nash bomb was dropped by the Logan winger and Josey swooped to bag his second. Luke converted 2 of these tries and suddenly Arana were in front 24-22 with ten to go. The next six minutes saw an inspiring display of defence from the Panthers who were now without any reserves, Dean having had to retire with a head knock. Everyone did their job to repel wave after wave of Logan attack, and the pressure was finally relieved with 4 minutes remaining when Alex T swooped on a loose ball 10 metres out from his own line and raced 90 metres to score under the posts. Luke's conversion gave Arana some breathing space, and despite a last minute converted try for Logan, the panthers held on to win 30-28.
This really was a great effort by all the boys; special mention must go to Phippsy, who despite playing with 5 stitches turned in a magnificent effort. He was well supported by the other props Matt, Brent and Zac, and Josey, who got through 21 tackles and scored 2 vital tries. In the backs Nash and Dean were magnificent, particularly defending against the big Logan forwards, and Alex F turned in a first class effort. Roger was also great, particularly in defence, and Luke had his usual solid game at the back, as well as kicking the goals that got the Panthers home. Also well done Alex T, who despite illness and injury turned in an amazing second half, particularly in defence, as well as scoring the match sealing try. This really was one of Arana's finest wins.
Minute by Minute:
3 mins Logan Try/conv, Logan 6-0
6 mins Logan Try, Logan 10-0
10 mins Fresta Try, Logan 10-4
13 mins Logan Try/conv, Logan 16-4
19 mins Logan Try/conv, Logan 22-4
24 mins Wilson Try, Logan 22-8 (HALF-TIME)
38 mins Mills Try/Corley conv, Logan 22-14
43 mins Rylands Try/Corley conv, Logan 22-20
47 mins Wilson Try, Arana 24-22
55 mins Tallon try/Corley conv, Arana 30-22
59 mins Logan Try/conv, Arana 30-28 (FULL-TIME)
The weekend's results see Arana remaining the only unbeaten team on 12 points, with Redlands and Redcliffe on 10, and Souths and Centenary on 8 completing the top 5. Logan Bros, Easts and Slacks Ck are all in equal 6th on 4 points.
Brad T
28/4/2002
