Saw Rugby Mum there, My ID theory was right great to see her after twenty thrurumph years
hopefully we will all hear from her again after her "self imposed" exile. I am sure she was more rapped in the 16s match than this.
great day for Rugby cool 15 degrees, sunny and dry, a vast improvement on the drich 5 degrees in Bathurst last Saturday
The well co-ordinated prepared and motivated country team took it to the Sydney team today, there was a greater commitment in energy and numbers to break downs in the first 5-10minutes of the first half.
Sydneys Manager, Darcy, did a great job with the support of knowledgeable Sydney suporters/volunteers to get the Sydney team on the field sufficiently lifted to weather this early storm.
Sydney was advantaged by a hefty breeze that used correctly, helped turn the preasure back on the country lads, allowing them to go to the break two tries up 12-0. The country lads were unlucky not to score just before the break, as the Sydney number 7 was yellow carded ( I am not sure if it was repeated team infringements or cynical foul/killing the ball) The Sydney teams forwards deffence and a dropped ball at the line were all that prevented this from happening.
The lack of match practice as a team, and structural dicipline that may have existed with a coaches guidence was evident in the back line, as the backs functioned on their instincts as individuals, the back three showed their evasiveness from time to time, but cut out passes not slowing the country cover and passes not delivred, reducing the impact of half chances created by broken play or rare bends in the Cockatoos defence.
The second half saw City score quickly into the wind with a conversion taking the score to 19-0. City conducted several interesting interchanges to ensure all fit players had an oportunity to take the field during the match, I dont believe this disruption caused to any greater durres for the playes engaged in the game. than that under which they were already playing.
For the remainder of the game the country team managed to presure Sydney using the wind and taking advantage of the high number of penalties conceded at the breakdown and some set pieces. Sydey slowed the country progress suficiently well, though conced two tries, one right on full time, to win the game.
NSW Team
Liam Baker Country
Phillip Bradford Country
Daniel England (Sydney
Max Girdler (Sydney
Ben Gunter Country
James Hawkins Country
Louis Heaton (Sydney
Reece Hewart Country
Harry Holmes Country
Conner Hurley Sydney
Henry Hutchison Sydney
Cameron King Country
Tom Lever Sydney
Sepasa Loga Torogi Sydney
Jack Mc Gregor Sydney
Will Mcrae Sydney
Jack Nettleton Sydney
Guy Porter Sydney
Jacob Richards Sydney
Max Stewart Country
Jacob Storey Sydney
Kirk-Steven Tulavii Sydney
Cyprus Tutunoa Sydney
from program spelling as per program