Match Reports - Colts Trials March 6 2010 at Singleton

Parramatta 1^st Grade Colts  vs Newcastle - Hunter

With only two previous “hit outs” up our sleeve, a ten-a-side and an internal 15’s trial at Deerubbun, we made the 3 hour bus trip to Singleton to play our very first opposition for the 2010 season. 

We focussed on taking what we have learnt at training, into the game situation. Our cleanout on our own ball very early in the game was excellent, allowing the ball to move swiftly from Ted Tully at No.9 to Dave Petrie at No.10, who took the ball to the Newcastle defensive line. The support play was both enthusiastic and positive, as was the feeling amongst the group. There were times when the ball was used wide and on one occasion a try resulted from a well constructed driving maul close to their line. It was nice to see such variation in our attack. Newcastle were a well organised squad and we were up for the early season challenge.We were very well led from the front by Ian Parkinson and Pat Searson’s ground skills were evident when he was able to steal 4 balls at the tackle. Other highlights included Kyle Fischer’s defensive work when close to our own line in the first half, surely saving a try! Coaches were happy with our progress and noted the encouraging comments from referees (our discipline to roll away after making the tackle) and the opposition Coach, who admitted that his players were taken by surprise with our bright start to the game.  

The group has quickly formed friendships that will no doubt win us the close games down the track. Coaches were impressed by the maturity of the group when after the game players expressed themselves so well with constructive comments on the areas of our game in which we have confidence and also those areas of our game that need improvement.

Thank you to the parents and friends who also made the trip to Singleton, your support is very much appreciated. Congratulations to our 2’s and 3’s for the spirit that was displayed on the day!

Let’s train well for a 2 x 40 minute effort next week against Easts at Redmond.

Thank You,

Peter Koen.

2^nd Grade Colts vs Hunter

Hot humid weather really tested both teams. Four of our blokes played for the opposition in Thirds, and so were pretty exhausted before our own trial. Mick, Keyen, Matt & Adrian are to be commended for their sportsmanship, displaying the kind of spirit that makes our game superior. 

Hunter had a squad of 28, were fresh and keen to win on their home turf, but our blokes can be proud of the way we played. We had our chances but basic errors cost us points or field position. I really thought we were more than competitive ‘on the park’, but we need to spend time on our set pieces, particularly the scrum. The practiced moves we called were executed well, with some really good skills displayed to set up our try. 

Defensively, some blokes need to lift their efforts. The best defender by a mile was Josh, who probably saved two certain tries. It goes to show it’s not the physical size that does the job, but the willingness and ‘ticker’ to have a go. Steve and I value tough robust defence very highly, as it lays the platform for our attack. 

In summing up, Steve and I believe that we are in a really good position. With some more training and refining what we saw on the paddock on Saturday, we reckon we’ve got the talent to mould into a really competitive Rugby side. This was a pretty good first up hit out.

Easts are going to be a tougher opponent next Saturday, so we need to train well this week to give us the best chance of performing well. 

Thanks for a great effort Saturday

Steve & Tulls

3^rd Grade Colts vs  Singleton Colts

A good first up hit out for our 3rds.

Even though Parra’s 3^rd Grade Colts had very limited time together they still showed enough class and ability to score 3 good tries.  Well done 3^rd’s!!!

The big boys, Masi Filese and Sione Ahio, made good contributions in what were difficult conditions for them. Our scrum held its own and we were able to win our own line out ball without any recognised jumpers.

We were also able to remain competitive when we were down to 13 players on the field. It certainly looks like we have something to work with and we will know a little more over the next couple of weeks.

If we have all players available for next week’s training and playing, we should be in an even stronger position.

Easts will be a good bench mark for us in term of playing strength and fitness.  They will have good numbers and they will be very well organised at this early stage of the season. I will certainly be a “step up” from today’s game against Singleton. 

In the coming weeks we need to stress how important it is to be at training so we are able to train as a team before the game. Thank you to the players from 1’s and 2’s who stood by for us, and also for those who filled in the gaps for our opposition. It shows great club spirit.

See you all at training,

David Lowery.