#RMCUP MATCH REPORT R21 vs. Burwood North Ryde United @ Goddard Park Sat 24/8 Wolves Defence Secure A Finals Spot (content with thanks to RL News) The Wolves have amazingly secured a spot in the finals after a tremendous 2nd half defensive performance against Burwood secured a memorable 23-12 win combined with a plethora of results going their way at Goodard Park today. Coach Brad Prior was able to take a stronger line-up in this week’s game with Burwood after an inexperienced Wolves outfit was mauled badly at home last week against the Tigers. The Wolves did however make several late changes to the side with Aiono, Battye-Smith & Pelesasa coming in for Makuai, Williams & Tagaloa respectively. Windsor started the game poorly after elusive Burwood lock Barry Nathan split the defence through the middle in that ended with five eighth Maaloga Konelio being dragged down short of the line. From the next play, Matt Evans easily reached out to score the opening try & with hooker Kurt Aldridge’s conversion, Burwood led 6-0 after 4 minutes. Windsor opened their account in the 16th minute after several attacking raids from close range allowed Ben Stewart to put up a cross field bomb for winger Joshua Jay to regather & score out wide. The Wolves almost scored from another bomb two minutes later and were made to pay for the near-miss when Nathan broke the line again to put Burwood on the attack. Aldridge finished the job from dummy half with a well-disguised flick pass that opened up the middle for Ryan Millard to score under the posts to give Burwood a 12-4 buffer after 21 minutes. Windsor finally found their attacking rhythm to score the next three tries in a dominant 10 minute period for an 18-12 halftime lead which could have easily been more had Stewart had his kicking boots on. A 50 metre break by five eighth Kieren Croft allowed hard running centre Eddie Aiono to score in the right corner from the next play in the 26th minute. Then in the 33rd minute, Stewart held up a well-timed ball for lock Ryan Tramonte to power over & three minutes later Jay completed his double scoring out wide. The second half was a war of attrition featuring injuries and stoppages in an end-to-end contest dominated by outstanding goal-line defence. Both sides were guilty at times of poor last tackle options, a testament to the spirit of the defensive effort of both teams. United almost levelled through Joe Rokoqo in the 63rd minute only for the centre to be held up in-goal. Nathan put on the hit of the match two minutes later forcing a turnover and another chance for United in good field position only to be denied again by resolute Windsor defence. With ten minutes remaining, Sione Fakahua looked to have broken the Wolves defence only to be ruled to have lost control over the line. Stewart took control of the game late in the game, sealing the win with a 77th minute field goal to give the Wolf Pack a 19-12 lead. To sweeten the victory, Wolves centre Alan Eisenhuth swooped on a United loose ball in the final minute to run 60 metres & secure Windsor a 23-12 win. Coach Brad Prior described the win as a character defining moment for his team. “We weren’t good early but the boys got themselves back in the game. It certainly didn’t help getting a few troops back today after missing so many last week. I was always confident that a win here today would secure our place in the finals.” Best for the Wolves were Chris Satae, Chris Aunese-Scanlan, Ben Stewart & Jake Butler-Fleming while for Burwood, Barry Nathan was their stand out player. With the results, Windsor wraps up a spot in the finals & depending on results next week can finish 6th or 7th with a win next Sunday over Asquith at Storey Park while Burwood North Ryde can secure 6th place with a win next Saturday away to Blacktown Workers. Final Score: Windsor 23 (Tries: Jay 2, Aiono, Tramonte, A Eisenhuth Goals: Stewart 1/5; 1 FG) def. Burwood 12 (Tries: Evans, Millard Goals: Aldridge 2/2)
Posted on: Tue, 27 Aug 2013 08:14:28 +0000
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