2017 Round 17 Champ B1 vs B2

Coach Dan King reported –

That was a pretty physical and bruising encounter.

Both teams put on a really great game of rugby and it was fantastic to watch. I am really proud of how my boys responded as we were under lots of pressure during the game and needed to be tested and we was right to the end.

After speaking with some of the players I know they will be hurting over the weekend as the hits, tackles were fast and hard all game, we stepped up when we needed to but at times we switched off. Need to focus on tackling again as we were going into contact high and lazy around the rucks, discipline was bad as well and we gave away far too many penalties and against any team that is a bad mistake. The scrum and lineout went really well today which was a credit to the guys hard work and training and we are really starting to dominate in these areas, we believe we have one of the best scrums in the competition and need to keep refining this as it’s a dangerous platform to attack off.

There was some really good performances from the squad, special mention to Konnor who played really well from 15 and kicked pretty accurate and cleared us when we needed to exit, I thought Tim Coffey was a physical around the park and really good in the air as well Irwin his partner lock who chipped in with a great try in the corner off a fantastic break from PJ. For me PJ was man of the match with his carry’s and tackles a real workhorse as always. The forwards went hard all day and we made changes when we needed too and guys were exhausted the backline was totally new and we are missing about 4 regular starters so they will be back in the week for the game against Rockingham. We needed to rest some players as the bangs and knocks are taking their toll.

Credit to the Lions 2 side they were pretty good today and raised it big time against us, its always a special and emotional occasion when you play against your fellow club mates but the game was played in good spirit and what happens on the field needs to stay there. We wish our mates all the best in their next game against Bunbury, who based on today’s performance against us I reckon they will beat them. We all finish the round at home next week so a good time for us all to have a few cold ones.

We need a big week of preparation ahead of the Rockie game as this is our quarter final as we see it, still lots to improve on but the teams effort on the field needs to be recognised, well done!

Team

1. Loose head prop Hinder, Rawiri M
2. Hooker Baker, Aaron
3. Tight head prop Chapman, Chris B
4. Left lock Coffey, Timothy J
5. Right lock Swinny, Irwin E
6. Left flanker Niemann, Branden
7. Right flanker Woodford, Brad J
8. Number eight Jackson, Peter (c)
9. Scrum half Clifton, Michael A
10. Fly half Frasson, Xavier A
11. Left wing Jacques, Jayden P
12. Left centre Tairea, Junior
13. Right centre Tooala, Jesse
14. Right wing Delome, Kurt D
15. Full back Day, Konnor J
16. Reserve Meyer, Bruce C
17. Reserve Lamatoa, Jared
18. Reserve King, Jason
19. Reserve Ayscough, Jack

Scorers

Tries Swinny, Irwin E x 1; Day, Konnor J x 1; King, Jason x 1
Conversions Day, Konnor J x 2