Blog

4th MAY 2019

EASTERN SUBURBS ROOSTERS vs TAROONA PENGUINS

The Sacred Soil of Eastern Suburbs, where rugby is the game we love to play, rejoiced with the return to North Warrane of competitive rugby for the first time in nearly two years. Our beloved Roosters played hosts to the Penguins, while our partners, Glenorchy Stags played Taroona in Division 1.

Easts were determined to make this a special day. Our Women brought food before going off to their game at Rugby Park, and Robbie Casboult had bounced out of bed and had the ground almost set up before re-inforcements arrived.

Phill Barry had organised lunch from our sponsor Bes Mudi for the Royal Roosters, served up by our special women.

Over-arching all this was the Geoff Farrington Shield for competition between Easts and Taroona that Taroona has held for several years, and we wanted it back. Wendy Farrington spoke with the boys in the shed before the game and told the new-comers of the special place that her family enjoys at Eastern Suburbs.

And on time, hostilities began. Our boys began in typical fashion with the pigs laying a nice platform and the backs using it nicely. Until we had unfortunate accident. From a spilt ball, veteran Taroona half-back Christo Le Grange kicked forward, then a simple 2 on 1 chase put his winger over. Luckily the old-timer was a bit rusty with his kicking, and missed the conversion, leaving us down 0 -5.

Five minutes later, we were gifted a penalty for hands in the ruck, but Jake was still getting his bearings, and the kick went wide.

For the next half hour, the game see-sawed between the 22s. Neither side could crack through. Unfortunately we suffered a couple of injuries with first gamer Vinnie Mukumbu suffering a shoulder injury, Robbie Casboult a hammie and Coel Trickle a torn calf. They were big losses, but the Roosters kept trying, and Taroona kept fighting back. Dickie MacNair was doing his rabbit in a spotlight act from full-back, darting everywhere and going under attempted tackles.

Right on half time, a line-out win by Brendan Elliott who surged forward with the veteran Wiggy in hot pursuit put us within 5 metres of the line and earning a scrum put-in. A nice win, and beautiful hands from Jake Hyland saw him over and converting to take us to half time at 7 – 5.

The second half saw the Roosters running to the Club-House end, and the boys were determined to play the game down there to give the Easts faithful an eye-full and to bank on their fanatical support. The Penguins, however, had other ideas. Once again, the game see-sawed between the 22s.

Another disastrous injury, this time to new father Jonathon Elliott. Now two players relaxing on the side-line with their feet up and iced….Trickle and now Gobbles, but Vinnie was now on. Unfortunately we were now out of Subs, and the boys now had to play out the last 30 minutes.

25 minutes in, Jake had a chance at a penalty, but again, the kick went wide. Unfortunately an off- side penalty caused by in-experience gave Christo another chance, and this time the former State Captain made no mistake and took the Penguins to an 8 – 7 lead.

Bad luck fortunately became a blessing for us. From the kick-off, a simple mistake by the Penguins saw us in front of the Club-House, with the crowd going mad. The eight forwards and the Rooster faithful combined for a scrum win, and Judd Sherratt produced some magic and went over. Jake added the extras to take us to 14 – 8. Soon after, Jake had another chance to seal the game In contrast to the previous few minutes, this time the whole ground fell silent. Alas, the kick went wide again.

It was time for the experienced boys to step up and ice the game and bring home the Farrington shield. A few nervous moments, but the boys got there to much rejoicing from the Rooster faithful. The club song was sung with great gusto.

The Shield was graciously presented to Wendy by Taroona President Simon Plumb, and after some photos, it duly took its place in the trophy cabinet.

The Roosters’ best players judged by independent people were:
3 votes Richard MacNair (who went on and played with Glenorchy, and almost scored)
2 votes Brendan Elliott
1 vote Brendan Fazackerly
King Rooster Judd Sherratt

Written by Les Marshall.