Match Report Monday

It's been a long break for the kids footy. A wash out, holidays, a bye... but we're back now and boy was it worth it!

Round 7 U7s, N1
Date: 26 April 2009, 9:00 am kickoff
Where: Gibson Park, Stafford
Who: Brothers v Wests Panthers


As previously noted no score, but I'm fairly certain we lost this one. Especially as Brothers had a boy who was a head taller than everyone else and who scored just about every one of their tries.

But it was great because Her Majesty scored her first try!!! And was it ever a beauty of a try. She ran straight up the middle and broke at least 3 attempted tackles, looking a little confused as to why she wasn't being stopped. But she kept going, with the crowd cheering her on (it's great being the only girl because EVERYONE knows your name), before being tackled by the aforementioned man-child (name from Sparky) as she crossed the line. But she managed to get the ball down and so was awarded her first 4 points of the season. I must admit she still looked a little dazed when she got up, and I'm pretty sure she was thinking "Was I supposed to do that?". Later she told us she didn't know what to do with the ball after she scored - Sparky very helpfully told her to leave it on the ground and do a victory dance followed by a loud "Awwww YEAH!". Luckily she doesn't take her older brother too seriously.

Her performance in the game (in which she sat out the first quarter) earned her a Player of the Week certificate. Well done Her Majesty!

Round 7 U14s Div 2
Date: 26 April 2009, 11:15 am kickoff
Where: Purtell Park, Bardon
Who: Wests Panthers v Aspley Devils
Score: 30-28 Wests. Awwww YEAH!


Coming into this game 3 teams sat on 9 points at the top of the U14 Div 2 ladder - Wests, Deception Bay and Aspley. With DB having the bye and not improving their for/against (which is how places are decided when teams have the same number of points) this game meant a lot to both the mighty Panthers and Aspley. Not only did the win cement Wests at the top of the ladder, but it won them the Broncos Challenge Cup for their division. Champions, people! How good is that???

It was a hard fought game and the huge break the boys had showed, especially in the second half. First points on the board came from Josh who managed to beat Aspley to the ball from a kick and raced to the line for a 4-0 lead. It was back and forth for a bit before Aspley snuck through some holes out wide to take a 8-4 lead. The testosterone began to flow and it worked against the Devils (whom I incorrectly called Hornets last time - but since they have a devil on their page now one assumes that's their mascot... my bad) as they began to backchat the ref and were promptly sin-binned. As I had agreed to be one of the home duty officials (The Hermit was the other) I had to escort the player up to the bin... which I had no idea was my job and rather chased after the boy as he grumpily stopped his way up to the bin. As such, I missed the next Wests try that was scored by Jarrod (although I heard it) and with the conversion took the score to 10-8.

DJ scored the next try from the kick-off with a great take and a blinding 70 metre run down the sideline before he was tackled - too late to stop him from crashing over and scoring, however, and taking a 14-8 lead. Oddly they never kicked it his way again. It remained locked for the rest of the half until Wests scored in the final minute - and I'm so sorry I don't remember who it was - and Jack the Taller made the conversion to take us to a 20-8 halftime lead.

Remember how I mentioned the long break hurt us? Well the second half was a fair showcase for that. After scoring fairly quickly in the opening minutes - again I can't remember who it was and I apologize - to take the lead out to 24-8 it all went pear shaped. 5 forward passes, knock-ons, poor tackles, silly penalties... the boys did everything they could to loose the game. And Aspley took full advantage. It was only some desperate defence that forced Aspley to score their tries on the far edges (and thank goodness they can't kick conversions to save their lives) but they scored enough to take a 28-24 lead. I don't know what happened but the boys became desperate (although DJ used the word "determined") and got their act together to send Josh over the line and levelled the scores at 28 all. We all held our breath as Jack the Taller lined up the conversion kick... and it was good!!! 30-28. The crowd went wild. OK, the Wests supporters in the crowd went wild. DJ crossed the line again on their next possession - which would have sealed the game - but was called help up and it was Aspley ball. There was much shouting from the leadership team on the field that all tackles had to be made (uh, you think you may have wanted to apply this rule before the score got so close boys???), which thankfully they did as there was still a few minutes left. Aspley has possession in the last minute and as the horn sounded it looked as if they would get through the Wests line. A huge red and blank surge finally smothered the ball carrier and it was all over. Wests had won the game and earned the Broncos Challenge Cup. Quite a change from two years ago when they were getting hammered week in and week out.

After the game there was much celebrating with a loud rendition of the original Wests song coming from the dressing sheds, and promised Baskin & Robbins ice cream for DJ on the way home - a triple scoop no less. Well done boys - you truly deserved it.

No games next weekend as it's another holiday (Labour Day this time) weekend. And big congrats to Josh, Scott and Jake for making the Zone Carnival this coming weekend. See you for another Match Report Monday in a fortnight.