.
Congratulations,
Finally we are in the Grand Final for the plate this weekend ..where we deserve to be in my opinion. To me it really is a play off for third or fourth in the main competition overall as the promotion of three teams and the wet weather completely stuffed up the points system. The good news is we win a plate if we win on Sunday.
Now … last Sunday’s game – what a great result. Only minutes before the game did we know who was fit enough to run on. The walking wounded and the sick all arriving in all forms of disrepair!
At one stage we only had 14 and looking shaky.
With Eddy still on crutches and Jock in fashionable moon boots, Alex out from a neck injury the day before, ( luckily just bruising), Mitch, Sam and Banjo all limping from bashing each other up the day before (Joey’s v Shore) and Josh climbing out of bed with a virus to help out, I was starting to think this was going to be a tough day in the Oval Office!
However, the boys all agreed that had to ramp up that little extra to overcome the adversity, Campbell took over as skipper, Will Collard stepped into Banjo’s big boots ,Oscar moved to centre Sam Harrison from back row to wing again.. so on we ran into battle.. shaken but not stirred!
As I have stated previously about Burraneer they are a very tough defensive side, I found out on Sunday nine of their boys play rugby league on Saturday, hence their great tackling defence.
We changed tactics and decided to attack down the blind side away from their crash tackling centres or chip over them in open play.
From the kick – off the boys were positive and aggressive, Balmoral Oval was hard and dusty as both sides launched into it. After a few minutes Will Collard cleverly switched play down the blind side and sent Sammy H on a run, as the defence closed he grubbered ahead… the race was on, Ben Reader was on the spot (as always) to gather the ball and race over to score. Locky P converted from midway from the side line … Mosman up 7-0.
The forwards were right into it, Tommy was crunching them in defence and giving them grief with his usual bullocking runs. Ben Wicket continued his good form in the tight stuff his work rate better every week and making his physical presence felt, as was Hugh and Gus (these two are really hitting there straps as well now) and Josh who was running hot in form and temperature (now about 101*) .. in short the engine room were all running hot. The reason we are winning is our tight five is dominating and giving us go forward. Well done you boys – another outstanding effort.
Joe was winning some fantastic lineout ball and making his usual thousand (in Ray Warren voice) tackles a game, and Ben Reader was mighty at the breakdown. Joe and Ben shut down Burraneer’s best dominant forward at the breakdown, as discussed prior to the game, this was a huge challenge and they rose to the occasion.
Campbell as usual was dominant all over the paddock and was having a great captains game leading by example, he was rewarded soon after with another try from our chip and chase tactics, which saw Burra reeling and now down 14-0 after the conversion next to the posts.
Burra hit back, and soon scored out wide and it was 14 -5 shortly before half time.
In the backs Oscar was having a whale of a game tackling everything that moved in midfield, Ben was doing likewise and setting up some good backline moves for Remy to chime in and give our winger Sam and Mitch a few good runs.
Locky at 5/8 was having his best game in that position varying play nicely with some kicks ,runs and slick service, but more importantly .. bringing the backs up in a good straight defensive line.
After the break, Josh was having a well earned rest, Locky Miller replaced him with fresh legs and got stuck in straight as he always does, then Banjo and Sam Allen came on to see if they could put in half a game with their crook legs as Mitch and Will (who had a great game for us filling in for Banjo) had a rest.
Both sides set off at a cracking pace again, the game tightened no team was giving an inch, the boys from Burra were not going down without a fight, but nobody messes with the Mosman 13A Whales!!
Banjo turned them around again with his clever kicking, Sam Allen had a great 50m run after a good backline move, we were playing good clever 15 man rugby everyone from Remy at fullback (still in great form) to Gus at hooker involved.
A terrific penalty goal from Locky P put us ahead 17-5 with some breathing space, but Burra came back again, will they ever quit these guys? NO !!
After 7 straight penalties to Burra (will this Ref ever give us a break!) they scored and converted to trail Mosman 17 -12.
The boys held on to full time and thoroughly deserved their win. They showed great heart and team spirit.
Oscar put in a great man of the Match performance closely followed by Captain Campbell, Tom the” Horton Express” and every other player deserved a wrap.
So the walking wounded made the grand final on Team Spirit,,Courage,,Neurofen,Voltaren,and lots of bandages.
To say that Jane and I are proud of this team is an understatement, all the injured boys are there every week to cheer their mates on, they play sick and injured for each other.
Remember also, many, I mean many players go their whole Rugby life and never play in a Grand Final or have a chance of winning a medal, so lets enjoy the experience and give it our best shot,win, lose or draw from here all these boys are already winners.
NOW BRING ON COLLAROY…..
Cheers
Coach
23.08.10Stephen Patrick
