A balmy day at the foot of the mountains with a light zephyr drifting the aromas of the Emu Burgers from the BBQ into the grand(?)stand. I couldn't help musing at the optimistic Penrith slogan emblazoned on the back of the sideline dugouts: "A Rising Rugby Power" -- if only it were true.
4th Grade
The game started with uncontested scrums without any obvious reason but presumerably because the Emus didn't have any experienced front rowers. Wicks provided game time for many players who'd spent the first few rounds on the reserve bench. Max Kite scored a try to add to his highlights reel; in fact it will probably be his highlights reel. He caught the ball from a kickoff about 20m out from the Wicks line and strode through the Emus defence to score a sensational try. The Emus jumper numbers provided no guidance as to the playing positions of their wearers, but then again I'm not sure the players knew what positions they were supposed to be playing either.
Final Score: Wicks 64-0
3rd Grade
Penrith took the field with a number of players who'd obviously provided serious challenges to the jumper and shorts manufacturers. Unfortunately their bulk was in inverse proportion to their mobility. Wicks support play was exceptional. Tony Luxford's mature direction and cool head, in spite of a couple of attempts to remove it, and the speed and footwork of Greg Marks were standouts.
Final Score: Wicks 78 (or 80)-0
2nd grade
Penrith seconds opened up with significantly more commitment and enthusiasm than the lower grades. Unfortunately their discipline didn't match this. The referee was particularly strict on the Emus either not releasing the tackled player and / or not rolling away. Wicks handling and lineout throws left a lot to be desired, but the scrum dominated. Ma'afu showed his class even though short on match fitness. The Emus demonstrated on many occasions that players running into their defensive line without serious intent would end up getting smashed.
Final Score: Wicks 50-0
1st grade
A few changes from last week for the Wicks
Jock Armstrong replaced Ned Hanigan (seen wearing a moonboot)
Jack Johnston replaced Mark Baldwin (rested?)
Chris Taripo replaced Jack Pennington (concussion?)
Michael Celona replaced Tristan Goodbody (fresh reserve)
The tries (11 of them) flowed fairly regularly although some determined Emu defence, poor handling and a lack of patience and structure from the Wicks saw the half time score held to 26-0, albeit with the 4T bonus point in the bag.
After lemons, the coaches on the northern hill decided they needed some more experience on the field and replaced Peter Nau with 36yo Adam Freier who celebrated his introduction to the game by taking yet another tight head in his first scrum. The coaches then decided they needed a younger player on the field and replaced the veteran Harry Boileau (21) with the 17yo Harrison Goddard. A rather extreme blend of youth and experience in the two new players. The Wicks scrum was solid in spite of a couple of huge (and mobile!) Emu props and the Wicks pinched a number of Emu lineouts. Best for the Wicks were Munro, Boileau, Croke and Starkey, but all the forwards continued their good form of the last 2 weeks.
Final score: Wicks 71 (or 74)-0
PS: There seemed to be some dispute about the scores throughout the afternoon between the ground announcer, the scoreboard attendant and the Wicks scorer.
