Thoroughbreds Round 3

By David Casson

THE matches against Muswellbrook on Sunday, April 17 occurred with warm weather conditions and a very good crowd on hand at Scone Park, from league tag through to first grade.

Scone took out three of the matches while Muswellbrook won the under 18’s.

League Tag

The league tag match would determine the inaugural winners of the Scanlon Shield and Muswellbrook showed they will be a force through the year.

The Scone team got off to a dream start when Ally Luck was able to capitalise on a mistake by Muswellbrook from the kick off and following a sweeping backline movement.

Charmaine Bloomfield converted from long range and it was 6:0.

It was the same start as the previous week for the Scone ladies, but the comparison finished there, with the game settling into a real match.

Brydie Parker crossed for a Muswellbrook try after she regathered her own kick after 15 minutes.

The Scone team were placed under pressure and after a goal line restart, Shae Pemberton crossing for the visitors which gave them the 8:6 lead at half time.

Soon after the restart it was it was Brydie Parker again showing a clean pair of heels racing down the right edge to send Muswellbrook to a 12:6 lead.

While there may have been some nervous Scone spectators, at this time, there was no need with the team finally kicking into gear.

New player to the team Zoe Harper was on the end of a lovely pass from Brook Noble and then skillful passing along the backline to record two tries in short succession which were both converted.

Maddy Adams added to the score with 8 minutes to go, receiving  a great pass from Liz Lally and then Sofie Casson finished the scoring in the last minute with a classic show and go. Final result to Scone 28:12.

Coach Sofie Casson said, “this was what our team needed.”

“Muswellbrook really put it to us and we had to rely on our training and game plan to get the win today,” said Ms Casson.

Under 18’s

The Under 18’s match was pretty much a one way affair with Muswellbrook recording a convincing 42:0 victory.

The Scone team did not give up but continued to hand the ball back cheaply, putting themselves under pressure.

Four tries to H Moxey, B Kellett, J McKay (2) and 3 conversions gave a 22:0 scoreline.

The Scone team just could not find the necessary improvement in the second half and it was a further 4 tries to the opposition.

B Beverstock, J McKay for his third, B Taylor and K Kennedy went over with 2 conversion giving the final scoreline of 42:0.

Coach Darryl Rando put down it down to “one of those days where the harder you try the worse you go.”

“Muswellbrook showed they will be hard to beat this year, whoever we know we can improve a lot on today’s performance,” said Mr Rando.

Reserve Grade

The Reserve Grade saw Scone record a dominant win 62:6 over Muswellbrook.

The team is combining better as the competition progresses and benefited greatly from Josh Noble and Josh Watson in the halves, directing the play around the field.

New player Jack Thomas was a welcome addition having a strong game at fullback and finishing the day with a couple of tries as well.

The forwards paved the way with Brendan Ellis, Tom Vincent (2) Jake Bailey and Doug McKillop all adding to the scoreline.

The backs did their bit also, with Josh Watson recording a triple, and Jared Austin adding to Jack Thomas’ efforts.

Josh Noble also finished the day with 9 conversions.

Muswellbrook’s only try came in the 20^th minute of the first half but was the only real time the team threatened the Scone line.

Coach Chris Brennan was very happy after the match “that was a good win for us and we were able to dominate all aspects of the play.”

“We had more direction today and it really showed in the way we played and the final scoreline,” he said.

First Grade

The First Grade match looked like a big score could have been on the cards when after 15 minutes, Scone led 16:0.

Jarrod Wicks went over from dummy half after 4 minutes, Wes Suckley barged over a few minutes later and then Kyle Wilcher pounced onto a wayward Muswellbrook pass to sprint to the line from his side of half way.

To their credit, Muswellbrook remained patient and it was the speedy Jacob Ellis who managed a double in 10 minutes to get his team to a 16:8 scoreline.

James Eveleigh was on the receiving end of a lovely Gary McKeon pass however with a couple of minutes to go in the first half which provided a 22:8 scoreline.

Muswellbrook returned for the second half with plenty to add, and with tries to Liam Dunn and Clinton Blenman, they reduced the deficit to 22:18 after 15 minutes.

Scone gained some momentum however and it was Daniel Ritter, again from a McKeon pass and then Joe Adams following a backline movement down the right edge with gave some breathing room for the Thorougbreds at 32:18.

Clinton Blenman would not be denied another try for the visitors and with 8 minutes to go, Muswellbrook still had a slim chance at 32:24.

Scone maintained their composure however and Wes Suckly went over for his second, thanks to a nice pass from Jarrod Wicks for the final score of 38:24.

Coach Daniel Ritter while happy with the win still sees a lot of room for improvement “we produced  some decent play in the game but allowed Muswellbrook too many chances to come back at us – it is early days and at this stage, a win is a win.”

Greater Norther Championships

There are no local games this week with the Greater Northern Championships being held in Tamworth on Sunday.

Scone is represented in Group 21 First Grade by: Daniel Ritter, Joe Adams, Josh Adams, Justin Apthorpe, Gary McKeon, Tim Watson, Tom Hagan and Isaac Austin.

The Group 21 League Tag includes: Sofie Casson (Captain – Coach), Maddy Adams, Hayley Eveleigh, Abbey van Balen, Sally Gordon, Chamaine Bloomfield and Lisa East.

Congratulations to these players and best of luck on Sunday for selection in the Greater Northern Tigers teams.