Goannas Tame Tigers and move into finals race.
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The Grenfell Goannas played their way into the Finals race with a hard fought win over the Canowindra Tigers. The Canowindra side got away to an excellent start and after 15 minutes had the Goannas down 14 nil. The Goannas weren’t playing that bad but just couldn’t get the rewards they so needed. The Tigers were rolling along nicely and looked good everything they tried worked and they had the Goannas reeling. The Goannas needed to rein the Tigers in or their season would come to end and that wasn’t the end the side was after. Grenfell put together a big push solid defence combined with better attack had the Goannas back in the game tries to Sam Ingram and Jacob Gavin and one goal to Philip Ingram eroded into Canowindra’s lead brining them back to 14 points to 10 lead. The score stayed the same up until the halftime break both sides had chances but the defence from both sides held strong halting the scoring opportunities. The Goannas started a lot better in the second stanza strong running from all the pack backed up by stiffer defence turned the tide fifteen minutes into the second half Grenfell struck a barn storming charge by Brendan Hewen busted the Tigers open and he planted the ball down for his try, Phil missed the conversion and the match was all square at 14 all. The strong defence from the Grenfell was giving the Goannas the edge the Tiger players were hurting from every big hit that was put on them and they had to replace three of their players after suffering injuries from the punishment that was being dished out. The Goannas were on top but you can never take Canowindra lightly as they are a side that never gives in without a fight. The game was there for the taking and Grenfell ponced a try to Sam Ingram, Sam hit the ball at speed and skittled players over like ten pins on his way to his try. Phil Ingram added the extras giving the Goannas lead 20 points to 14. With less than fifteen minutes remaining the Goannas had plenty of other opportunities to finish the Tigers off but came up with too many unforced errors, a bit of panic set in giving Canowindra chances that should never have been there for the taking. The Canowindra side then received a couple of penalties and with the extra ball that came their way it was all the Tigers needed to lift a try to their centre and a conversion tied up the match at 20 points all. This now gave both sides a chance to go into the finals, Grenfell looked to be the side going there but now had to really dig deep. The Goannas gave it one last surge with five minutes remaining they worked hard pressuring the Tigers line but time after time desperate defence held them out. The Canowindra boys were only just holding on then the break came for the Grenfell side, a mistake and a penalty at the scrum for back chat gave the Goannas a great opportunity to win the match, a penalty goal to Philip Ingram did the job giving the Goannas the lead 22 points to 20 with 1minute remaining the Tigers had one last chance, a smart kick from the restart had a scum feed to Canowindra the Goannas held strong and held on for the win. The win advances the Goannas into next week’s finals. The whole Grenfell side stood up on the day doing their bit for the team. Player’s player went to Ben Abbott
Girlanna’s stay on to after a strong performance against the Tigerett’s winning the match 34 points to 6.
The Girlanna’s went into the match as favourites but at no time did they take the Canowindra girls lightly and they put all of their hard work into action. The Girlannas defence was first class making it very hard for the Tigerett’s to put together too many attacking opportunities. The pressure that the Grenfell girls put on sides is one they are very proud of. Grenfell’s attack led by Alicia White and Prue Hancock backed up with great service from Caitlin Dixon from dummy half they had the Grenfell side well on track giving all the girls opportunities with the ball to make something happen.
The Grenfell girls soon turned all their good defence into attack and with good ball movement and straight running the side was able to run in three quick tries, one each to Prue Hancock, Madison Knight and Chelsea Anderson, all being converted by Amanda Livingstone giving Grenfell an 18 points to nil lead. The Girlannas were well on top and new they couldn’t take the foot off the pedal. The Canowindra side has some very talented players that if given too many opportunities they will make you pay. Christy Wylie kept her good form going scoring a try backing up last week’s haul of three. Amanda missed the conversion but Grenfell was well on top. The Tigerett’s got the reward for their good work, a try and goal had them on the score board and playing well. The second half got underway with Grenfell attacking well, the Canowindra side were gripping on but always were going to struggle to stay in touch with the Grenfell side. The game evened out a bit, the Grenfell side got a little sloppy, a few passes went astray and the attack got a bit loose, the girls had stopped running onto the ball and the depth in the back line went missing. This gave Canowindra a few extra chances to put plays together but as quickly as the Grenfell side went off the boil they regathered their game plan and went back on the attack. Chelsea Anderson got her second try for the day, Chelsea backed up all day and was rewarded for her efforts. The Girlannas finished off the game when Anna Brenner chased hard after a kick, Anna was first to the ball and deserved the try for the work she put in on the day, Amanda Livingstone added the extras on both goals and sealed a great win that kept the Girlannas undefeated and Minor Premiers. This was a great effort from all the team and we still have plenty of work to do in the upcoming weeks through the finals series. Players player went to Chelsea Anderson.