Mathews and Ball

[roopy]

Well, just Mathews really for now.

We played the dogs, and were beaten 16-4 in Mathews in a very scrappy game in fairly heavy and constant rain.

The dogs looked the better side and the score flattered us a bit.

The big prop, Petro, was the best for us I thought - he worked his butt off and was really a handfull in attack and defence.

Burraston had a good game, but his handling was very ordinary in the wet.

Morgan McGuire did all the kickoffs and has a strong and accurate kick.

The fullback had a lot of work to do and did it well.

I had to leave before the Ball game, but I think the wet conditions would have favoured our big forwards.

 

[antonius]

The Ball Team won 30-20. Stars of the game were Sam Wooden (2 tries) Robbie Dormand, Kade Snowden, and Ben Farrar.. They led 24-16 at half time, finished up scoring five tries, Steven Gorden kicked five from five. The game was played in driving rain. The side seemed to ease up in the second half, but won comfortably. That's two from two for the team, after defeating Central Coast last week.

 

[roopy]

A great win.
The dogs put them out last year - and because the age limit has been lifted by one year - the squads are similar - although the Knights have several new players and have lost several who were stars last season (Ison, Abel, Tredrea).
It is good to see Sam Wooden come off the bench and score two tries - last season they tried him at lock and fullback at times - but he proved not strong enough for the forwards and not quick enough for the backs - but the one thing he did show was that he is magic in a broken field situation. I think he did several of the best runs in any grade last season as he weaved his way through any number of defenders.
He can work on his speed, strength and fitness (and he needs to), but he has been blessed with plenty of natural talent.

The central coast team who were so gutsy against us last week scored a 10-10 draw with Manly. I think they went through last season without a win - so they have scored their first point ever - a great result for a team that is using at least three ex-Knights this year - and I have heard that several ex RIP players are with the Knights Flegg side this year as well. The RIP will be producing Knights firstgraders in the future.

 

[roopy]

I think I said after the trials that Mathews will finish mid table and I tip the Ball side to really challenge for the title.
The only worry I see is that the Ball side doesn't seem to be playing flat out for the full game.
Easing up on the dogs is a worse sin than starting slow against the RIP - the dogs are a top side and should be put away by as many as possible.

 

[roopy]

It is good to see that the official knights site is doing match reports for the juniors;
http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/absolutenm/templates/mediareleases.asp?articleid=251&zoneid=1

 

[Anonymous]

Well, just Mathews really for now.

We played the dogs, and were beaten 16-4 in Mathews in a very scrappy game in fairly heavy and constant rain.

The dogs looked the better side and the score flattered us a bit.

The big prop, Petro, was the best for us I thought - he worked his butt off and was really a handfull in attack and defence.

Burraston had a good game, but his handling was very ordinary in the wet.

Morgan McGuire did all the kickoffs and has a strong and accurate kick.

The fullback had a lot of work to do and did it well.

I had to leave before the Ball game, but I think the wet conditions would have favoured our big forwards.

As in Jacob Jenkinson?

Good, player and a mate of mine

 

[roopy]

[

As in Jacob Jenkinson?

Good, player and a mate of mine

Yes,
Jenkinson looked good in the wet.
They gave him plenty of bombs and grubbers to pick up, and he was very good with his handling when most were not. He also did some good runs.
He took one kick on the fly like an AFL mark, and even curled up his legs for extra 'hang' time. It would look great on a highlights real or something.