Brisbane put on a beautiful afternoon for Ladies day and the East v Sunnybank match at David Wilson Field. The strong easterly wind blew the length of the field all game had me wishing I had bought a heavier jumper but the kids playing footy on the training field never felt a thing.
Easts started with the wind and the first 30 minutes we saw lots of enterprising play but little scoring with only a penalty each to show for the players efforts. But the last 10 minutes of the half was another story.
Easts break down their left wing and get behind Sunnybanks defence. Matt Brandon throws the last pass to beat the full back setting up Skelton for the try. Brandon converts and the score is 10-3.
But straight from the kick off Sunny bank strike back with a great team effort eventually allowing Dion Taumata to score in the corner. He converts his try to even things up again.
East are straight back on attack from the kick off! The piggies get the ball over the line but can’t get the ball on the ground. East retain possession with a five metre scrum and build phase after phase until Matt Brandon plants the ball under the posts. The Kick is a formality and Easts have a 7 point lead again.
Sunnybank pick up a ruck penalty on the stroke of half time to close the gap to 4. The halftime score is 17-13.
The second half starts the same as the first with the teams trading penalties until the Sunnybank backs manage to get the ball in broken play. They stampede 80 metres down field with speed and support play that just plain pretty to watch. Taumata gets his second try 15 metres to the left of the posts and he converts it to have his side leading the match 20-23.
Sunnybank score again after a charged down clearance kick gives them possession deep in Easts half. Its converted again to blow Sunnybanks lead out to 10 points.
Sunnybank lose a player to the sinbin for repeated ruck infringements and have to play out the game one man down. Easts pile on the pressure and camp deep in sunnybanks 22 scoring on the stroke of fulltime. Matt Brandon converts the try but Sunnybankhave taken the game 27-30
Both 5/8 had exceptional games with both also kicking very well in trying conditions. Easts seemed to have the edge in the forwards and Sunnybank may have won the backline battle. But neither battle had a clear cut winner.
I think this was the best #3rdTier match I’ve seen this year. The Steak Burger was great the beer was cold and the company was pretty good too.
Remember
If you come, they will build it!
