Thoroughbreds Return to Form

By David Casson

It was a welcome return to form for the reigning Premiers which saw Scone recording a much needed victory over the top of the table Muswellbrook Rams at their home ground, last Saturday night. Scone came to the match with a number of losses of recent weeks and needing to show real improvements in their game.

Photos below…

The match didn’t get off to a great start when Muswellbrook’s Jacob Button crossed for an easy try from dummy half after only five minutes with a successful conversion giving the early 6:0 lead. During the next 15 minutes however Scone showed much better control and Kyle Wilcher capitalised on a Sam Taylor kick through for a the Thoroughbreds to get onto the score board. The conversion was missed for the Rams to maintain the lead. A costly mistake on the restart gave the ball back to Muswellbrook for Ryan Heath to cross in the corner, shortly after for a 10:4 lead. Muswellbrook forced a goal line drop out but Scone defended it well and returned down the other end. The team maintained the pressure and it was Wes Suckly cruising over for a quite a simple try which Taylor converted to level the scores at 10:10. A penalty in close range gave the Rams the opportunity to take the lead 12:10 for the half time break.

The Rams started the second better than Scone and when they decided to run the ball on the fifth tackle, found some of the defence ball watching and a bust up the middle was followed with slick passing for Zac Webb to cross in the corner for a 16:10 lead. Scone started the climb back when John Johnson gave a lovely pass to Tyler Austin to cross near the post. Taylor converted and the scores were once again level at 16:16. The Thoroughbreds maintained the pressure forcing a couple of line drop outs in succession and Gary McKeon was next to score after a nice ‘show n go’. The conversion gave Scone the lead for the first time in the match – 22:16. A scuffle on the side line saw a player from each side spending 10 minutes in the bin. Tim Smith came up with a try saving tackle with eight minutes to go. Scone returned to the other end of the field and Jarrod Wicks found a way to get through the defence for the final try, which was again converted by Taylor for the final 28:16 victory.

A relieved Wes Suckley was very proud of the team’s effort – “that was a very important match for us. We showed that we are still a force to be reckoned with, however we can’t rest on our laurels. We have plenty to improve on, however we will enjoy the win.” Suckley also praised the efforts of Caleb Taylor who played on the wing, after playing Under 18’s and Reserve Grade.

The Reserve Grade team also came up with an important win. The team was down 12:10 at half time which quickly became 18:10 after the restart. To their credit however, they managed three second half tries and ran out victors 26:22. Try scorers were Jared Austin (2), Chris Brennan, Nathan Justice and Jake Collison, while Troy Dunley added three goals. Special mention to three Under 18’s who helped out on the day due to player shortage – Ryan Hawkshaw, Caleb Taylor and Steve Blayden.

The Under 18’s once again put in a terrific effort against their more fancied opponents. The team in fact had the lead at half time, however just could not maintain their momentum with the Rams coming back over the top of them for the final score of 22:10. Ryan Hawkshaw scored two tries while Ben Fechner added the conversion.

Ladies League Tag managed a close victory over the Rams team which was ahead of them on the table. There was little between the teams all day as the final score of 6:4 suggests.

Celie Nolan capitalised on a Muswellbrook mistake on the line with nine minutes to go in the first half. Sam Elphick provided the extras which gave them the 6:0 lead at half time. The ladies showed some real improvement in their attack, however Muswellbrook matched them with good defence throughout.

The second half saw both teams pressing the lines and it was the Rams who crossed after sustained pressure with 11 to go in the second half. The conversion was missed and the balance of the game was pretty even. Unfortunately there was no play in the last two minutes following an injury to one of the opposition players.