U7 players L front: Alexander Nowlan,Rhys Hughes and back row: Polly Napier and Penny Ray after participating in the Griffith match.
The Grenfell Under 15’s jumping high in a lineout in the famous nil-all draw against the highly-fancied Wagga Blacks at Cootamundra last month.
Under 7’s
On Sunday we traveled to Griffith and the team consisted of Birthday Girl Penny Ray, Polly Napier, Rhys Hughes, Alexander Nowlan, Team Troth (Angus and Jake)!! Despite predictions of inclement weather, the day turned out to be perfect for rugby!
Grenfell played Griffith in the first game and it wasn’t long before Penny scored a nice birthday present in the corner! This girl, since hanging up her ballet shoes has found her true calling, she runs the ball hard and straight and knows how to find the line!
It wasn’t long before our other feline panther scored in the opposite corner and we were off to a flying start. Polly’s ability to let the boys come to her and then run through the gaps is paying dividends!! The Big Three- Angus, Rhys and Alexander all scored good individual tries in this game and defended well. The five all draw was well deserved against a bigger side!
The second game against Leeton started at a slower pace with the panthers full of birthday cake! With Grenfell behind by 4, it was Jake who savored his first points for the season when he took advantage of a gaping hole in Leeton’s defence.
Not long after this, Rhys bamboozled Leeton with a nice step and strolled over the line with most of the opposition still on the deck scratching their heads! In the second half Angus ignited the Panthers when he darted down the blind side without any room and somehow scored! With the game in the balance, Alexander made one of his own weaving runs, his pace is deceiving. Leeton thought they had him covered but they didn’t and he leveled the score 4 all!
The side missed Henry this week and would like to thank their devoted coach Dom for all the hard work and dedication he puts in each week, resulting in this strong Under 7’s team!!!
Lachlan Fertilizers U11’s
After expecting wet and muddy conditions at Griffith the rugby gods turned on the sunshine and a dry track ensured that fast and flowing rugby would be the order of the day.
The lads got off to a lethargic start in Game I against Wyalong with the hot stepping weevils running in two early tries.
Our defensive effort was a little patchy and ball retention was at best ordinary in the early stages, however as the game progressed the panthers began to turn things around and find their mojo. Jack Ray and Tom Penfold showed their future potential as backrowers by managing to flirt on the edges of the lawbook, and stifle Wyalong at the breakdown.
Jesse Thomson Jones carried the ball strongly, making several probing runs and was unlucky not to find the tryline. The gentle giant William Bucknell was fired up and eager to make his presence felt at the ruck. Tom Robinson was outstanding, tackling all and sundry and running straight and hard up the middle.
Grenfell struck back in the second half when Fletcher Taylor pounced on the ball to score and lift the teams morale.
The boys seamed to grow an extra leg and with man mountain Nathan Wilson making territory with every carry of the ball and leading the forwards up the middle more points were soon to follow.
Fletcher scored another great try with a step, swerve and good fend ( not sure if the goosestep helped though ) to level the scores. At this point the game was in the balance, Angus Brown and Tim Brown showed their versatility comfortably filling holes anywhere in the defensive line. Quick hands from a turnover had Wyalong back in the lead with a classy try. However flyhalf Hamish Napier rose to the occasion and showed great support play to score for Grenfell, although his one handed Campo like grounding of the ball maybe enough to jeopardize future inheritance opportunities judging by his fathers reaction.Unfortunately Wyalong were able to utilize their speed outwide late in the game and come away with the chocolates 25-15. Points went to Jesse, Fletch, Jack, Stirling, and Tom.
The follow up game against the Griffith” giants” was a tough assignment and character building to say the least. However the Grenfell lads showed tremendous resolve and a real fighting spirit and although the scoreboard was a little lopsided we were far from disgraced.
Jai Purdie took it right up to his bigger opponents showing zero fear, and scrummaged fantastically well against the massive Griffith front row.
Stirling was again dynamic in defence, and kept the scoreboard respectable with countless copybook tackles and many darting runs from the scrumbase. Many thanks to the Clemson trio who sat on the bench for Grenfell and allowed us to rotate an effective interchange throughout the game.
B&F points went with Jai, Robbo , Stirl and Jesse. From a coaching perspective it was very rewarding to have all our U11 players make the commitment and effort to travel to Griffith, so thanks parents also for making that possible.
This Sunday Grenfell Juniors host a feast of rugby games. Griffith, Wyalong, Young and Temora will be visiting RB Bembrick field. Play kicks off at 9am and entry is free. Come down and support the local juniors. Sample the Bacon and Egg rolls and excellent coffee whilst enjoying the rugby.