Reserve Grade - NSW Cup - Round 9

v Central Coast Storm, North Sydney Oval, Sat May 17 2;30pm

WIN 52-12

Yileen Gordon has been stood down for disciplinary reasons. A hat trick of tries from Bears fullback Samu Wara has put Norths NSW Cup opponents on notice of the depth of talent on display after achieving 9 straight wins on Saturday at North Sydney Oval. "You know you've got depth when you have players the likes of Greg Nichols and Shaune Corrigan waiting in the wings" said Bears CEO Greg Florimo. Finally cracking the half century barrier in their Centenary Year, the Bears faced a depleted but gallant Storm side that included ex north Sydney players Ryan Gregory, Jamen McLeod and Daniel Phillips. Nathanael Barnes early try was an opportunistic grab after a Storm drop ball running 70 metres to score. But the Storm hit back with a converted try to lead 6-4. From the scrum Samu Wara speed away and dived over to the left of the posts to score. Ben Rogers converted and North Sydney hit the front 10-6. Jeremy Smith drew the defense left and threw a long range pass to the right for Nathanael Barnes on the burst. Ben Rogers conversion gave his team a 16-6 lead. Samu Wara showing great strength then barged over the try line carrying the Storms No. 5, Nick Briggs on his back. Ben Rogers converted for a 22-6 lead. The next points came from a combination of Nathanael Barnes and Jeremy Smith. Jeremy threw a cut out ball to Nathanael Barnes who ran and grubber kicked back in field for Smith to score. Ben Rogers converted 28-6. Samu Wara then strolled over the line for his third of the day. Nathanael Barnes then converted. 32-6 Coming fresh off the bench Charlie Herekotukutuku's size and speed got him under the posts as Nathanael Barnes converted and the Bears were leading 38-6. John Tamanika showed great judgment to doge the No. 2 and score in the left corner for a Nathanael Barnes conversion. Soon after John used speed to dodge the No. 2 again and score in the exact same spot as the Bears neared the 50 for the second week running 48-6. The Central Coast halfback Alex Moore then scored a six pointer to make it 48-12. With not long to go the half century was left to crowd favorite Ryan Verlinden. Jeremy Smith made a typical break and chipped to re-gather. With the Storm fullback (ex Bear Jamen McLeod) lurking on his outside he passed to Ryan who, showing athleticism beyond his build sprinted the 15 metres towards the corner with Jamen McLeod chasing. The massive crowd on the hill followed every stride of the big man and the whole ground erupted as the Bears finished ahead 52-12. Coach Wayne Lambkin was hard pressed to name his best with the Bears backline performance sparkling and the front row never letting up. "Jeremy Smith was outstanding today" said Coach Wayne. "I thought he was very close to our man of the match last week. Just his calmness on the field, he's really steered the team around with some good footy. Getting us to do the right things, call the right plays and just do all the little things right that a halfback needs to do". After the match as many fans as could fit in the Change rooms pilled in to join the team in the Victory Song. "The boys love it its great to turn up with the crowd support. We have spoken about it as a team. Its part our job to keep the red and black people happy. Its their team, its their colors and they're tribal about it. We're very happy to get a win for them". "The crowd support is sensational" claimed hard working hooker Matt Hunt. "Its great to hear the crowd, nothing like it when you're down and you hear the boys on the hill - it really pumps you up".

      4-0
      4-6
     10-6
     16-6
     22-6
     28-6
     32-6
     38-6
     44-6
     48-6
     48-12
     52-12

Wara 3, Barnes 2, Tamanika 2, Smith, Herekotukutuku, Verlinden tries
Rogers 4 from 5, Barnes 2 from 5 goals

Final Line Up
                                T  G/A  FG
Flbk - Wara, Samu               3  -     -
Wing - Barnes, Nathaniel        2  2/5   -
Cntr - Paulson,Germaine         -  -     -
Cntr - Simpson, Jamie           -  -     -
Wing - Tamanika,John            2  -     -
5/8  - Rogers, Ben              -  4/5   -
Half - Smith, Jeremy            1  -     -
Prop - Geddes, Scott            -  -     -
Hook - Hunt, Matt               -  -     -
Prop - Grant, Luke              -  -     -
SRow - Lowe, Jamian             -  -     -
SRow - Dalton, Sean             -  -     -
Lock - Ben, Lowe                -  -     -

Int  - Herekotukutuku, Charlie  1  -     -
Int  - Verlinden, Ryan          1  -     -
Int  - Sayegh, Daniel           -  -     -
Int  - Koborsi, John            -  -     -

                               10  6/10  -

Other Reserve Grade Matches

NYC Toyota Cup - Under 20's - Round 10

v Canberra, 4:45pm

WIN 38-12

Webster 2, Huihahau, Kaifoto, Nathan, Sandow, Hammett tries
Sandow 4, Paea goals

Other U20 Matches

NSWRL U18 SG Ball Cup - Final

38-12 SMry (2v1) Syd Rsters b Parramatta

NSWRL U16 Harold Mathews Cup - Final

30-17 SMry (2v1) Parramatta b Penrith