13th APRIL 2019
EASTERN SUBURBS ROOSTERS vs BURNIE EMUS
Madam President, Kristi Leitch, Mrs Do Everything put on her bus driver’s hat to take the Roosters to Burnie to face the Burnie Emus.
An extremely inexperienced team, with a forward pack having four people tallying six games between them, but willing and able took the field after a few dramas earlier trying to gather everybody together.
The game started brightly, with Burnie surprising us with their willingness to go through the forwards, stealing ball and generally being disruptive to us in the rucks.
It only took five minutes, but with good ball security from a ruck, and putting the ball through the hands, the Emus scored out wide on the left wing and fortunately (for us), the kick went wide.
The Roosters began to settle with experienced players Robbie Casboult, Jason Parremore and Jake Hyland leading the way. Half-back Bo Horton was doing some nice things from the base of the scrums and rucks and making some precise deliveries to No. 10 Jake Hyland. Some good hit-ups by Rick Miller and Robbie Casboult allowed the ball through the hands and full back Jayson Turnbridge created the overlap to score mid way between the left wing and goal posts. Jake Hyland added the extras to take us to 7 – 5.
A penalty against the Emus for a high tackle had the sideline hopeful, but this time, Jake missed.
Our experienced boys continued to guide us around the ground. Coach Jason Parremore was having a blinder, leading one of his former team-mates to comment that they didn’t know he could run that fast. Just on half time, a good, clean line-out win by Josh “Perv” Banks again saw the ball going through the backs’ hands. A great break by the Coach saw Jayson Turnbridge score his second meat pie out wide. Jake again added the extras to take us to a 14 – 5 half time lead.
Fifteen minutes into the second half, both teams were locked in a tremendous struggle. The Emus threw everything at the Roosters, but when the ball came wide, either of our wingers Kyle Fishpool or Mohammad Rashid shut them down with great defence. Two largely inexperienced players, each playing their third game, stood up to whatever came their way.
Then disaster struck. For Burnie and for us. One of the Burnie players was severely injured, requiring an ambulance, and a break in the game of around 30 minutes.
To their credit, the Burnie players used this time to keep together and use the time productively. In contrast, the Rooster boys switched off. And it showed.
When play resumed, with about 20 minutes left, Burnie ran riot scoring 3 tries under the posts, all converted, racing to a 26-14 lead. Brilliantly led by former State Captain Brett Bentley, returning home to the Emus, their young side got home and well done to them.
The Roosters’ best players judged by independent people were:
3 votes Jason Parremore
2 votes Jake Hyland
1 vote Kyle Fishpool
King Rooster Robbie Casboult
Written by Les Marshall.
