After a very interesting start to the season, Round 2 shaped as one where the teams that caused the upsets last week could further establish their credentials, and another interesting round it proved to be. Please note I would always be happy to receive detailed game reports from people from the other teams, and will add to the wrap each week if you email them to me at oz_bat@hotmail.com!
Arana were somewhat rocked by the early season loss of Zac and Josh with shoulder injuries and were further hit by the loss of Dan and Dean through sickness and injury on game day, having to travel to Civic Park with only 15 players to take on the big Logan Bros side. Right from the outset however, Arana tore into their bigger opponents forcing them into error and then playing a safety first brand of football, indispersed with some moments of attacking magic to race away to a 24-0 lead at the break. The Panthers expected the home team to come back in the second half, and indeed the hosts were first to score, but only after 15 minutes of trying, and with the intensity of the Arana defence the gap was just too large. Arana scored in the final minute of the match to rack up a 30-10 victory, in a game most thought would be much closer.
The Panthers did not have a bad player on the paddock, with the halves Nash and Geoff scoring a points victory over their more illustrious opponents, but it was the back row of Matt, Rob and new lock Tom Whalley who were outstanding, superbly supported by Rohan, who is back to his best, Brendan and Tim up front. In the backs Luke again shone and the back three of Rodger, Mitch and Dayne also put in eye-catching efforts - a great allround team performance.
By the minute below now includes brief summary of how tries were scored:
By the minute:
9th min: Mitch try/Geoff conv; Arana 6-0 (Break by Geoff, backed up by Alex T, lovely long inside ball to Mitch)
17th min: Rob try/Geoff conv; Arana 12-0 (Rob scores from base of scrum 15m out)
21st min: Brendan try/Geoff conv; Arana 18-0 (Brendan scores weaving try from dummy half 15m out)
29th min: Nash try/Rob conv; Arana 24-0 (Nash dives over from dummy half after sustained attack)
FIRST HALF STATS: Penalties: 2-2; Completions: Arana 14/18 (77.8%); Logan Bros 5/14 (35.7%)
45th min: Logan Bros try; Arana 24-4 (Blindside move from scrum win against feed 20m out)
48th min: Rob pen.gl; Arana 26-4 (Late tackle on Geoff from clearing kick)
56th min: Logan Bros try/conv; Arana 26-10 (Good rush down blind for winger to score in corner)
59th min: Dayne try; Arana 30-10 (Alex T break down right then across field, including over-th-top pass from Tim to left cnr)
SECOND HALF STATS: Penalties: Arana 4-1; Completions: Arana 12/17 (70.6%); Logan Bros 9/16 (56.3%)
TOTAL STATS: Penalties: Arana 6-3; Completions: Arana 26/35 (74.3%); Logan Bros 14/30 (46.7%)
The first Sunday game saw Centenary host Redcliffe, both teams having scored narrow wins in the opening rounds. Redcliffe ran with the wind in the first half, but looked to be in trouble at half-time trailling 7-6, with both sides having scored a converted try, the difference being a Tim McIlwain field goal 2 minutes before the break. Despite running into the stiff breeze, the Dolphins looked much the better team early in the second half with two good team tries catapulting them to a 16-7 lead 7 seven minutes into the seond half. When Mitchell Fenton crossed next to the posts after the ball bounced like a pinball between a number of players with 15 minutes remaining, the visitors 22-7 lead seemed insurmountable, particularly as they had finished strongly against Logan Bros the week before. A try, from a scrum win against the feed, to the home side's halfback Jamie Willimas, who played strongly, seemed to spark the Panthers however, and when Tim McIlwain strolled over after a bad mistake at dummy half by the Dolphins the gap had been narrowed to three points with 3 minutes remaining. Almost predictably from the ensuing set, Tim Mc used the breeze to secure a spectacular 40/20 despite the desperate attempts of Jed Fuller, who had a great game for the visitors, to stop it. Centenary kept the ball alive through a number of hands before outflanking Redcliffe on the left for fullback Wade to score, and despite the conversion going wide as the fulltime hooter sounded, Centenary had scored a stunning 23-22 victory.
By the minute:
10th min: Tim McI try/conv; Centenary 6-0 (Beat one-on-one tackle form scrum 10m out)
15th min: Angus try/Jedf conv; 6-6 (Angus barges over(!) after good break from Leafa)
28th min: Tim McI field goal; Centenary 7-6
32nd min: Rosco try; Redcliffe 10-7 (Winger scores off great offload from Fresta)
37th min: Matt G try/Jed conv; Redcliffe 16-7 (Matt G backs up inside after great break down left wing by Jed)
45th min: Mitchell F try/Jed conv; Redcliffe 22-7 (Grubber kick from Mitchell on 5th bounces off players back into his hands)
52nd min: Jamie W try/Tim McI conv; Redcliffe 22-13 (Try from scrumbase from win against feed)
57th min: Tim McI try/conv; Redcliffe 22-19 (Mistake at dummy half, Tim picks up ball and scores)
60th min: Wade try; Centenary 23-22 (Try wide on left after sustained attack after 40/20)
At Bishop Park Norths hosted Easts who had put up such a strong showing against Centenary last week, and again it was the Tigers who led at halftime (18-16) and the lead could have been bigger had they not frittered away a couple of good opportunities. However the Devil's halves Jacob and Josh shone in the second stanza to allow the home side to run away with a 44-24 victory against the tiring visitors.
The final game of the weekend saw quite a battle between Souths defending their proud Brandon Park record and Springwood, keen to open their account after last week's hammering at the hands of Norths. This game was tight throughout with Springwood getting the jump on the home team, but them letting them back into the game. It was a try-for-try affair with Springwood very happy to have their noses in front 32-28 when the final whistle sounded. This was a fine effort by the Magpies after a shaky start last week and will give them confidence going forward.
This round has proved that tipping winners in this competition is going to be a real nightmare, with all of the 8 teams at least winning or drawing a half of football in the 4 games this weekend. Let's hope Round 3 is as exciting!
Brad T
21/3/2004
