Blog

11th MAY 2019

EASTERN SUBURBS ROOSTERS vs UNIVERSITY RED MEN

The Roosters returned home to the Sacred Soil of North Warrane on Saturday, and what a feast of football was in store for their faithful.

Our Ladies began the festivities early with three games of 7s kicking off with their first home round. The girls are such a joy to watch, always happy and enjoying their rugby no matter what the situation. There will be a report on them later.

Our men’s team was struggling for numbers, with injuries, retirements, work and other commitments. Quite honestly your correspondent was a bit worried. Coach Jason Parremore sidled up to me and said that Uni had come to play. Four wins out of five games….our boys have worked so hard to get where we are, and they were eyeing top spot. Don’t let this go.

The game followed a well rehearsed script with contests between the two Clubs. Uni jumped out of the blocks, and with youthful enthusiasm threw everything at our boys. In contrast, the Roosters defended as though their lives depended on it. Top spot did. The Roosters made several raids in counter-attack, with our small men Dane Merkel and Dickie McNair belying their physical stature.

Finally, after 18 minutes, Robbie Casboult made a big bust towards the line and decided to un-load. Fortunately a Red Man knocked the ball down and lo and behold, the Roosters were gifted a penalty try and the Red Man was gifted a yellow card. 7 – nil cheered the Rooster faithful.

Soon after the kick-off, the Red Men received a penalty from a scrum on the 10m line. The Rooster defence must have had them bothered, because they tried a long range kick which missed.

That miss again changed the game dynamic. Suddenly, the Red Men began to get on top in the line- outs and scrums. This wasn’t helped by the Roosters continuing to give away cheap penalties. Jayson Turnbridge was combining well with the other outside backs to carry the ball back and keeping the Roosters in the game.

Five minutes out from half time, another penalty to Uni, a kick to the line, a line-out win and a try out wide to the Red Men. Luckily, the kick went wide and the Roosters were still in command at 7 – 5.

Then, right on half time, the Roosters forged forward, and this time got the penalty. Jake Hyland made no mistake to take us to half time at 10 – 5.
During the break, our boys re-grouped, talked about the penalties and heard Uni talking about their destiny. A good finish was on the cards surely, with the boys running to the Club – House end.

Seven minutes in, the Roosters had a nice series of ruck ball with Conrad Mitchell in and under until they found the right area to attack. An incisive run by the Captain put his centre partner Judd Sherratt over out wide on the right side in front of the Rooster faithful. Unfortunately Jake couldn’t add the extras, but the Roosters were slightly more comfortable at 15 – 5.

The game again descended into familiar scenes for 20 minutes. The Roosters gave away penalty after penalty, and fortunately the Red Men were unable to get close enough to capitalise. Nearly 30 minutes in, this time it was Easts who received a penalty, and Jake made no mistake. The Roosters were crawling towards victory at 18 -5.

Full time was looming, and Uni weren’t going quietly. They continued to attack and received a series of penalties until the ref got sick of it and couldn’t miss the biggest player on the ground so decided he would give Wiggy a pretty yellow card. One man short on the Rooster defensive line, and the Red Men scored a consolation try with one minute to go. Easts were still safe at 18 – 12.

From the kick-off the Reds tried another raid down the right wing. A nice low tackle by the coach killed that off. The Roosters were home.

The boys lined up to cheer our Glenorchy brothers onto the field for their game, and it was off to the celebration area in front of the club for the traditional song with the Rooster family.

The Roosters’ best players judged by independent people were:
3 votes Jayson Turnbridge
2 votes Conrad Mitchell
1 vote Robbie Casboult
King Rooster Richard MacNair

Written by Les Marshall.
Photos by Les Marshall.