From The Sideline - Mid - Week Catch Up Games
Floods, ground closures and ‘Covid issues’ have led to postponed and cancelled fixtures, and we are at present playing catch-up rounds. I headed up to Casino with Morgo to watch Division II play Casino, whilst our women were at home against Lismore. My maths suggested that we could finish top two on the ladder with wins against the Bulls and Moonshiners, tempered by the fact that two losses would end their season.
At fulltime Ballina had secured a bonus point win with the scoreboard reading 29-14. However a lethargic start coupled with some ordinary defence had a determined Bulls outfit leading 14-3 after 20 minutes and Al looking skywards with frustration. Just prior to the interval Liam Green capitalised on a dropped ball and skilfully toed ahead three times from 60 meters to score a try which was converted reducing the deficit to four.
During the second half our attack started to take shape and become more organised, however promising raids often broke down. From a lineout a nice inside ball saw Carl Lolohea over untouched in the eighth minute followed by Ryan Harris charging through the Casino line after 24 minutes. Carl put the game out of reach with a powerful bumping 15 meter run whilst carrying the Bulls pack on his back with Steve Paskins diving over from the ensuing ruck. It could be described as an ‘ugly’ win but the job had been done.
Al awarded his points to Steve Paskins and Jeremy Tozer with one each to Rhino and Carl; Jeremy Tozer was adjudged player’s player by his peers. Hats off to the 23 players their coaching staff, and the good number of supporters who missed a vital episode of MKR and were justly rewarded for their sacrifice. Club spirit is alive and well!
Commish informs me that our ladies went down by a converted try scored on the bell which from recall occurred when they last met at Lismore. He was pleased with the all round effort and improvement in defence of his charges, and was disappointed that a couple of plays broke down at crucial times.
Don’t forget our last round of the competition will be played THIS Saturday at HOME. All three teams are involved with plenty to play for. Matches will commence with Reserves kicking off at 1.10pm. It’s ladies day, so frock up and attend. Firsts are playing in special edition jerseys which will be auctioned after the match, with proceeds going to breast cancer research. An Olds Boys get together tees off at 11am. Lets send all our teams into the semis on a winning note.
