A beautiful day finally presented itself for ladies day at Phillip enclosed and with First Grade sitting pretty at the top of the table the blue bags were keen to keep their unbeaten run intact as they faced up to the Owls. Buoyed by a jumper presentation involving some very special ladies, Royals took an early and commanding lead thanks to Pedro Rolandos boot nailing an early penalty and converting the two tries scored by Ben Johnston in the 14 and 28th minute of the game. We were dominant throughout this half and went into the sheds at the break feeling relatively comfortable.
When we came out after the half, Butty’s half time chat still ringing in the ears, we were ready to put Uni to the sword, to take control and play a disciplined and ruthless half of rugby. But it didn’t turn out that way. Instead, we failed to apply our game plan, relaxed and allowed the Owls to get momentum and play themselves back into the contest and as we approached the final whistle the win was right there for Uni to steal away from us.
But as it turns out we did enough to hold them out, turning over the ball at crucial times and demonstrating a defensive tenacity that will need to be built on if we’re serious about our chances when finals roll around.
All up though this was one of the better games played this season with moments in which we played to true our potential. If we can address the minor lapses in judgement and concentration seen in the second stanza, we’ll be very hard to beat. The return of a couple of key players to the ranks over coming weeks will add another level of experience to the raw capability and courage that’s been shown through the last eight rounds and should help the team to come together as a cohesive and complete package.
Looking two weeks ahead, our next game is against Vikings at Erindale. We hope to see you there and hear you cheering us on from the stands.
