As the coach has already said on the shute forum, rats took all grades in a spirited display of commitment, rat cunning and home ground advantage.
Fourths had the rats get to 12 - 5 and any hope of a wicks revival was dashed by handling errors at crucial times. The wicks need a reset as the team relied on a couple of standout individual performances to keep in the game.
Thirds a carbon copy of the fourths with even more handling errors. Out enthused at the breakdown by a Rats team at every turn made for the Wicks going down 27-14
Seconds had two good teams going at each other but the rats had done their homework and had the wicks game plan under control. They had the rucks and they had the breakdowns getting many turnovers, some with questionable legality but all well hidden.The introduction of Mark Gerrard put a level of excitement into the rats team as he gave a master class in the art of kicking. In the end , the pressure they put on wicks prevented wicks from getting any momentum resulting in a 29-14 loss.
Firsts
Wicks started well with a try but missed the conversion but then the rats immediately hit back with a try of their own. The Rats were happy to go wide early as the Wicks went up the middle. With the early loss of the 10 the rats had to rally and as they piled on pressure at the breakdown they got a penalty, missed the conversion and then got another which they kicked. Wicks looked good when going out wide but Rats had their cover defense working well, snuffing out some promising runs. Wicks get a try to go 12-8 but a deft chip kick had the rats score again 13-12. Wicks get back to back penalties and convert to go 15-13 but have errors starting to creep in. A missed throw here, a dropped ball there and Wicks lose momentum and allow the Rats to start getting more confidence which grows as a yellow is given to wicks. At this point the rats scrum has ascendancy and after numerous resets which lasted over 8 minutes, the rats are over, 27-15.
The rats are full of running but the Wicks fight back is on . 27-20 with 10 minutes to go. Rats slowing the Wicks ball was paying dividends as the Wicks tried to push passes but they held on the attack. Finally as the siren sounded the Wicks were over next to the posts , an unlikely draw ? No
the man was held up.
Next week the Wicks will have a massive day at Coogee.