29 April Randwick Rugby Newsletter

Coaches Wraps - game review and preview

Another one that got away

The Randwick faithful gave us all the support they could muster in the dying minutes last Saturday at Coogee but unfortunately we were unable to repay them with the win so desperately wanted.

With more than adequate opportunity to obtain a good result and rein in our opposition, ill discipline, skill deficiencies and impatience led to errors at crucial moments and ultimately allowed Easts to parade in the winner's circle.

Early stanzas of the game were pleasing with Wicks creating more of the attacking play than Easts. A poorly judged pass however, while attacking with an overlap on the short side, was intercepted by the Eastern Suburbs'  inside centre  giving Easts 10-3 against the run of play.  Shortly after,  an attack on  the left with speed and a well timed pass to Tim Wright from Jai Ayoub saw the Captain stand up the Easts fullback from 35 metres out and storm over for a try, thus  erasing the memory of the intercept pass earlier.

With minutes to go before half time, Tim McGann copped some foul play leading to a cut under the left eye requiring eight stitches.  With no interest from the match officials, a bandaged McGann returned to the field and went on to extract revenge in the ensuing lineout.   No leniency for the wounded  though, McGann was binned  along with Steven Noriega who was deemed to be the only other player worthy of a yellow card from the events that followed.  These actions cost us dearly and reflected an ill-discipline we need to temper.

The subsequent ten minutes saw some of our best work this season.  Reduced to thirteen we began the second half well and only for a missed penalty attempt should have been 13 all until Easts, enjoying the numbers advantage, ran in a try, revealing one of our very few defensive lapses in the game. But with Wright once again laying on a try for winger Clinton Sills, who had earlier dropped the ball with the line wide open, we were still in the hunt.  Gaining the lead for the first time in the match at 23-20, things looked promising, but a severe mental lapse followed, inviting Easts back into the contest after penalties and poor lineout execution.

Following a converted try to Easts we regained the ball from kick off and mounted a final assault but, again, poor execution from a scrum and ill-discipline when restraint was needed cost us and Easts managed to foul their way to a win.  Credit however to Easts' defence and a stern lesson for us. This was a game where we created more of the play than our opponents.   There is much to improve  but the close losses  of the previous  two weeks  assure us that we are not too far off the pace of the front runners.............but we MUST put right our deficiencies.    Pleasingly, Second and Third grade enjoyed wins and the Thirds remain undefeated. Also flying the winners flag are our 1sts colts demonstrating that our endeavour to invest for the future through our colts is earning dividends.

Game Preview - 30 April 2011  Grade vs West Harbour at Concord Oval and Colts at Coogee Oval

West Harbour will challenge in all grades this week however our 1sts colts are looking forward to this confrontation and are certainly up to the test.

Throughout the grades West Harbor will be physical and determined up front and looking to play a game which will test the Randwick defence but probably not our fitness.

In 1^st grade, West Harbour has suffered narrow losses to Southern Districts and University in the early rounds and no doubt wish to turn the tide against Randwick on Saturday.  We are expecting a very tough encounter at Concord and in order to contain our opposition's backline flair and forward physicality our defensive effort will need to step up a level from recent weeks. With better execution and discipline from the Wicks, Wests' opportunities to attack and counter attack can be limited. We will also be working a lot on our composure and decision-making this week in training.

COMING EVENTS

Fixtures - April 30 Round 5

First and Second Grade at Concord Oval

Fifth Grade and Colts at Latham Park

Randwick Team lists - click here

STOP PRESS: Randwick vs West Harbour Wednesday 4 May Latham Park Field Number 1.  Fourths Kick-off 7 pm     Thirds Kick-off 8.15 pm

Fixtures - Saturday May 7 Round 6

Be prepared, Support the Wicks! Get your Season Pass for Coogee Oval Home Games $180 inc. Randwick Rugby supporters cap - Contact tony.lewis@randwickrugby.com.au or m. 0434085676

1.      3^rd Colts v Penrith

9.45 Kick Off

2.      Henderson Cup - 4th Grade

10.55 Kick Off

3.      James R Henderson Cup - 3rd Grade

12.10 Kick Off

4.      Colin Caird Shield - 2nd Grade

13.25 Kick Off

5.      Tooheys New Shute Shield - 1st Grade

15.00 Kick Off

What's next for the Wicks?

Saturday 14 May Round 7 Vs Northern Suburbs - Grade at North Sydney Oval     Colts at home

Saturday 21 May Round 8 Vs Southern Districts - Grade at Coogee Oval             Colts at Forshaw Park  RDRUFC Ladies Day

Saturday 28 May- Round 9 Vs Sydney University at University Oval                    Colts at Coogee Oval

2011 Randwick Rugby Coaches and Managers - click here

2011 Randwick Rugby Club Board - click here

2011 Season Results - click here

Photos from each week's games - Thanks to Lloyd Galpern, David Lyon and all our supporters - click here

Randwick headlines

Michael Clarke gives "pup talk" for Randwick Rugby - click here

Ben Mowen 'tahs' player profile - click here

See www.rugbynews.net.au for all the latest Club Rugby information and updates

Patron's picks!

Randwick's Super Rugby players return to Coogee Oval -  The Coogee faithful gave a warm welcome to Patrick Phibbs who took the field in Myrtle Green last Saturday.  Patrick also took the time to lead the post-game boat race and then raced to the airport to join the Brumbies off to South Africa. A warm welcome back also to Frankie Fainifo, recovered from his 2010 injury, who joined his Brumbies team mate on the field.

Good luck to all the Randwick Super Rugby reps for the games this weekend.