First Grade Match Report vs Warnervale Saturday 15th June 2013

Disclaimer
CTF Publications apologises for the late submission of the match report VS Warnervale as circumstances that saw our chief sports reporter Arse Tu Wide embedded with the HSBC British & Irish Lions somewhere in a Surry Hills hotel meant that our Italian journalist cadet Julio Spagbowler was asked to write the match report. It has taken this long to interpret his highly excitable Italian to the English language. CTF takes no responsibility for any character assassinations nor any volatile rumours that may arise from Spagbowler’s writings.

Warnervale had made it clear that they wanted to be a force in 2013 and with the addition of some former Kariong players they presented a formidable opponent at home.

However media guru and head coach made some changes bringing young Mitch Ward into the no 9 position with Spagbowler wearing the no 7 shirt. Mitch ( I am not a poodle) Graham made his return from injury and with the Geeman injured Mat Anderson ( my brother in law plays SOO) partnered Dan the Man in the middle.

The evergreen and highly excitable Dave Maryska joined a blast from the past in Brooklyn Morgan on the wings. Speedy went back to full back where he converted 2 of the 5 tries.

Josh Meadham was strong throughout the game whilst Tim Maxwell at times appeared Invincible partnering captain Stretch in the second row. Oatie was released from his kitchen cupboard ( refer previous match report..ed) to provide some grunt around the rucks. Tight head prop Rick Vietch also made it back after injury and provided the crowd with the highlight of the day making a 50 meter sidestepping/beating 15 players run to score his 5 pointer.

Conan came off the bench in his return from injury. Note he wore the correct shorts ,socks , had his mouth guard and made it to the ground before kick off.

Mitch Ward had a strong game at 9 and combined well with the Italian for his first run at the no 7 position. Overall with 5 tries to 4 and a bonus point it was a good effort to set us up for the second round.

Hard not to mention the 2nd grade win where they comprehensively defeated Warnervale who were undefeated running out winners 33 to 14. Unfortuneately Thirds went down but good to see the Colts also won.

Scores Avoca 29 Warnervale 25

Tries 1 each to Rick Veitch, Mitch Ward , Mitch Graham , Brooklyn Morgan and Josh Meadham
Conversions 2 x Mat Maloney

Best & Fairest
3 Tim Maxwell (Mr Invincible)
2 Dan Reihana
1 Mitch Ward

Players player Mitch Ward

First Grade Match Report Vs Kariong Saturday 1st June 2013

After last week’s narrow loss to Gosford Coach Jenkins was pulling out what is left of his hair seeking a solution to get the Sharks back on track. Injuries and unavailable players meant he had some changes to make.

Veteran Oatie was locked up in a kitchen cupboard for the weekend (apparently for past transgressions at certain Central Coast nightclubs) which saw Jenkins call in the Duke of Wellington to take over at 8.

Mitch Mitchell earned his first 1st grade jersey starting at tight head and with former galloping green Tim Maxwell back and starting at 7 Lloydy moved into the second row with Stretch . Josh Meadham went back to hooker whilst last week's injury to Mitch Graham saw AJ start at 10 with Speedy moving to full back and the evergreen referee pest Dave Maryska taking over a vacant wing spot. Matt Anderson started on the other wing with the grand final pairing of the Geeman and Dan back in the centres

Kariong despite being dusted in 2nds by 80 points,forfeiting 3rds and winning the Colts were up for the grand final re-match.

Their early try down our blindside had us chasing them for the rest of the match.

The Sharks hit back with their own well thought out blind side attack that saw the Geeman go over in the corner. Good work by J Spagbowler to get this one done down the right hand corner.The squeals of delight from the Italian/French cheer leaders were deafening.

In the second half Kariong hit back again with 2 solid tries and it was looking like a repeat of the week before as the momentum seemed to shift to them. Meantime it was becoming increasingly hard to understand some of the referee’s decisions. Let’s just agree many of them were “interesting” for both sides.

With time running out some sustained pressure saw AJ go over near the posts and then in the shadows of full time with darkness engulfing the ground he did it again. Speedy converted and with less than 2 minutes to go we led 25-19. Nervous moments for all spectators and especially the coaching staff as Kariong drove into our 25 from the re-start . They looked dangerous until a couple of penalties went our way and we were able to weather the storm.

Sharks win 25-19 !

AJ was strong at 5/8 and was well supported by the Geeman with Speedy contributing his normal bag of points ( this week 10 points –hope your brother can do that next Wednesday night (ed) !

Dan showed his versatility moving to no 8 when the duke’s horse broke down with Dylan coming on at 5/8 and AJ shifting to centre.

Tim Maxwell showed his experience whilst Sherry made numerous trade mark runs close to the ruck. Captain Stretch and Tommo did well in most lineouts whilst spaghetti super star J Spagbowler had another strong game especially in defence. At one stage Spagbowler used everything but his handbag to drop some of the Kariong forwards.

Next week it’s the general bye round and then we face Warnervale away in what will be a very hard contest

Scores Avoca 25 Kariong 19
Tries 2 x Adrian Jones , 1 x Dave Gee
Con 2 x Speedy
Pen 2 x Speedy

Best & Fairest
3 Adrian Jones
2 Pete Steele
1 Sherry & Tim Maxwell
Players’ player Adrian Jones