U13 Div 1 Big wins by Easts and Nerang
@tashara do you have a game report?
Sadly I have no video footage of the Nerang game this week. My camera became ill and sadly didn't make it out of the shop alive. However it's a good opportunity to upgrade.
So by now I would have normally watched the game a number of times and have a very good feel of what happened but alas, I'm left to speak about it from a first view side line perspective. A perspective I didn't really enjoy because I totally felt out of place pacing up and down the sidelines wishing I was viewing the game through my little screen.
First game of the season. Not much training over the break period for the Bulls. Many boys coming back from injury, some still carrying them and others still seemed to be in holiday mode for the first half of the game. And it showed for patches of that first 25 minutes. Some uncharacteristic drop ball (the windy conditions may have contributed to failed long ball passes and catches). However, it didn't take long before Nerang started putting points on the board. I thought Brothers held out well early on and made some great turnovers when under pressure which prevented the score board blowing out in the first half.
Some good broken play by brothers, but that appeared to be the only way they were going to penetrate the defense, however they failed to capitialise on those rare attacking moments. Brothers didn't have the possession long in the Bulls 22 even after having a set piece. The ball was quickly turned over and driven back down the field with big nasty centres in hot pursuit.
Power try to Bulls Hooker who is simply referred to as 'Beast Mode', short stocky tree trunk legs powering in as fast as his bulk will allow - very much like watching a bowling ball heading towards its pins.
I think the score was 19-0 at half time and Brothers were now going to get the slightly down/across field wind advantage in the second half. But that wasn't going to help. Nerang forwards received a bit of a roasting from the Bulls coach about loosing ball when in attack and that didn't happen in the second half. Brothers didn't help their chances by repeatedly coming in from the side, being off side or diving over the ball. The Brothers supporters didn't like the calls, but it looked pretty obvious from where I was standing.
But I will admit there was a very unfair yellow card given to a Brothers player for lifting in a tackle. We did mention to a Brothers person before the game that this would happen. We've had this ref before and we've received a yellow and red in separate games for debatable lifting tackles. The young ref stopped playing a couple of years ago due to a significant neck injury from a spear tackle, so I understand why he is punishing anything remotely looking like a player has been lifted in the tacklel. But, unlucky Brothers!!!
Regardless, you can't give Nerang that many penalties and get away with it. Nerang 10 had a great attacking game. The ball didn't get passed him that often as it wasn't really needed out wider as he seemed to be doing a lot of damage by himself. There was still some great ball movement when it did go wide; a nice wide blind side move with quick hands and flat passes saw the ball end up in our little wingers hands and away he went, only to be collar slung over the side line. Penalty 10m out, 9 calls on 13 for quick tap and go and not even the ready and waiting Brothers pack were going to stop that - TRY.
Brothers did have their moments. They found themselves attaching on the Bulls line for a number of phases, but the standard forward pick and drive on the line didn't work. Quick turnover, ball movement out to 10 who decided he'll work his way through the Brothers team for a length of the field try.
All in all, satisfying run for Nerang. We understand that Brothers were hoping to play in Division 2 this year but I hope they continue to fight on. I think they are that team that could be caught between the divisions; too good for div 2, but maybe not up to div 1. Not the top teams anyway, but not every team can be the best - they just have to be the best they can be. Heads up & fight on, I say
