Excellent return to form for the Mighty Fourths against Wests. While it was again still not clear who was in the starting teams across both 4 th grade and 3 rd grade on Saturday morning, a number of old and bolds decided to have a run to help out. Guest appearances by Ben Johnston, Joel Penders, Jay
Cash, Pete Murrell, AJ Abel, Craig McMahon and Adam Butt all helped to make up team numbers and improve overall team performance.
Played on a wet field, the game was a bit of a stop start affair against a Wests team that took a little while to get into the game but then was very physical in the tackle and at the breakdown. Starved of possession in the lead up to half time and for most of the second half time, the team hung in the game with some excellent tackling.
There was a flurry of scoring in the last 10 minutes, with Wests scoring first to make it 17 all and then Royals replying with an unconverted try. This was soon followed by Wests scoring to tie the match again with two minutes to go. A good restart by Royals lead to a penalty being awarded wide
out on the 22 m line. With a little bit of pressure generated by the need to find the kicking tee (was on the next field being used by the kids) Craig McMahon stepped up to cooly slot the winning penalty.
Half time score was 17 to 10 with the final score being 25 to 22.
Tries were scored by; Ben Johnston (2), Jacob Bindley and Dan Goodwin, with a conversion by Joe Rollings and a match winning penalty goal after time had elapsed by Craig McMahon.
While there were some excellent efforts and some big hits all round, Jacob Bindley, Eddie Easton, Dan Goodwin, Craig McMahon and BJ all had strong games with an excellent senior Rugby debut by Yioti Katsoulis.
