On a sunny Saturday last weekend the Gentlemen of Murwillumbah travelled to play second placed Wollongbar Alstonville Rugby at their well appointed home ground. The Gents kicked off in front of a good crowd who were very vocal in their support of their home team the Pioneers. The ball went deep into WAR territory where it was gathered up and run back at the advancing Bananas line. Corey Jolly playing standoff for the Bananas hit the WAR attacker with a solid tackle, stripped him of the ball, passed long to centre Jake Harte who out sprinted the defence to score a try out wide. 5 –nil after just 22 seconds! Jake was unable to convert his own try as the ball hit the goalpost. The scene was set for one of the most exciting games of rugby played on the far north coast in recent memory. Urged on by their supporters the Pioneers tore in at the restart only to be met at the gain line by the hard running Gents players determined to take no prisoners. The Gents worked their way back into the Pioneers red zone and scored another try this time to Corey Jolly who was having a blinder. Bloodied but not bowed the Pioneers resumed the battle but were met by fierce defence from Bananas forwards Matthew Knight, Ben Goulding, veteran hardman Brendan Rich and the rest of the solid pack. After about ten minutes the Gents 10 – nil lead was reduced by great Pioneers backline play which saw a good try in the corner. WAR were unable to convert and the Gents kicked long from the restart pinning the Pioneers deep inside their half. They tried to kick their way out of trouble but the Gents had other ideas and big no.8 Kane Jardine strode though the Pioneers ranks to touch down for a five pointer. Whilst things looked good on the score board the Bananas had hit a snag with inspirational standoff Corey Jolly unable to continue the match. With half time looming the Pioneers took the unusual step of sending on fresh players from their fully stocked reserves bench and the tactic worked as they scored another try to make the half time score 15 – 10. The second half was as fast and torrid as the first with team captain Nick Reeve and Jem Macdonald leading the way for the visitors. The Bananas scored again with another try this time to robust winger Tommy Byrnes after good lead up work from flyhalf Matthew Folkers and tireless centre Scott McMahon. Jake Harte added the extras and a penalty a short time later but with 5 minutes to go the Pioneers scored twice in quick succession snatching a 29 -25 victory from the gallant but exhausted Murwillumbah side. This coming weekend is Ladies Day with drinks and nibbles for the girls while the Bananas play host to the Mullumbimby Moonshiners at Brothers Leagues. An added attraction is a post match goal kicking competition open to all comers with a gold coin entry, cash prizes, and both senior and junior divisions. Bring ya boots
Posted on: Mon, 07 Jul 2014 09:33:29 +0000
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