A Friday night game represents a novelty and a disruption. Playing under lights after work requires adjustment of pre-game routines and rituals that our coaches have put significant effort to establishing. Each element of these rituals is carefully directed towards readying the playing group for their roles and to perform at a high level from the kickoff. Disrupting this process can manifest in a range of ways, and in this case saw a very slow start to the game with dropped ball and easy turn over of possession all to common.
Royals never really looked comfortable in this match, with Queanbeyan bringing a physicality to the exchange that had their supporters cheering and our players needing to find a quick response. Despite some strong ball running and defensive efforts from Oscar Waites and Rory Scott, and fantastic organisation from Zac Ross at full back, Queanbeyan built momentum throughout the game and in the dying minutes took the lead from Royals. Down to 14 players following a sun binning, Royals managed to snatch the victory away from the Whites on the bell thanks to Tom Fraser getting across the chalk to secure a two point win 32-30.
All in all we felt fortunate to take the points in a game that was physically contested. This week we will take on a Vikings side who will be keen to make amends after their first loss of the season- it’ll be a test of character for the Blue Baggers and will be a good indication of how we are tracking as we close in on the half way point in the season. Hope to have your support from the sidelines when we take the field at Viking Park.
