Reserve Grade - NSW Cup - Round 12

v Balmain Ryde-Eastwood, Leichhardt Oval, Sat Jun 21 3:00pm

DRAW 30-30

The North Sydney Bears undefeated status for 2008 was tested with the Bears securing a draw in the dying minutes of their match against the Tigers. The team was unanimous after the match, "we did not take this match seriously". In a match marred by an 8 to 2 penalty count in favour of the Tigers, the Bears seemed to digress from their well trodden game plan, pushing passes too early leading to costly mistakes. Coach Wayne Lambkin was disappointed but conceded he'd happily take the draw and run. "We suffered because of our own mistakes early in the game. We never set a platform in the first 20 minutes, we just wanted to go out there and win the game. Eventually if you make that many mistakes any opposition will beat you whether they be first or second last". "Disappointed in the way we played because we know how well we can play. But it's a wake up call without costing us a loss. Happy to take the draw and get out of here!" On a positive note, coming face to face with their first possible loss for 2008, the Bears fought back with forwards Yileen Gordon and Michael Greenfield leading the way. "Down 30-20 with 5 minutes to go and the game could have been lost. But it was a courageous effort and one of character that we've called on twice now; this game and the one against Wentworthville [20-18 behind with three seconds to go]" claimed the Coach. "So we've got that character that we can fight right to the end. So I'm happy to go away with the draw. Disappointing that we have to go backwards but I think the boys got it right after fulltime in the group out there [field] we're just not playing the type of footy we want to". An early attempt John Tamanika found him taken over the sideline by the Tigers just short of the left corner. Then a Nathanael Barnes break allowed Samu Wara an attempt from the 20 metre line. But it was John Tamanika who finally grounded first, slamming the ball in the left corner from a well weighted John Koborsi grubber kick to make it 4-0. Soon after mistakes by the Bears and a host of penalties cost them dearly as Balmain ran in two successive 6 pointers. Michael Moran scored in the left corner and Lewis Brown to the left of the post paving the way for Rhys Hanbury to convert both. The last try of the half was an important one for the Bears. Prop Ryan Verlinden sped away from the line and barged over on the right side of field. John Koborsi's conversion drifted to the right, bounced off the post and in and the Tigers went to the break 12-10 in front. As the second half began the Bears began to restart their game plan. With Michael Greenfield and Ryan Verlinden running lines through the middle Dean Widders was able to break away for Charlie Herekotukutuku to score and get a lead of 14-12. John Tamanika's second try was somewhat unexpected, taking a pass on the fly he ran strongly to his favourite left corner to score. Nathanael Barnes converted to stretch the lead to 20-12. But silly mistakes and the mounting penalty count handed the Tigers three consecutive 6 pointers to Lewis Brown, Billy Callaway and Stephen Moses. With Rhys Hanbury successful with all three conversions the Tigers hit the front 30-20. Michael Greenfield scored the most important try of the match when he charged full boar on the ball to score under the goal posts. Nathanael Barnes converted and the scene was set for an all out battle at 30-26. With 2 minutes left on the clock young Mitch Williams made the perfect play passing the ball out wide to the right of field for Charlie Herekotukutuku, Dean Widders and finally Nathanael Barnes to ground the ball in the right corner. With a 30-30 score and a kick to come the large Bears contingent in attendance could hardly contain themselves! But the Bears winning run was not to be with a difficult and pressure kick by Nathanael Barnes unsuccessful as the final horn blew. "Buddy Gordon contributed all day". A relieved Coach claimed. "He made a lot of courageous runs, just straight up runs, no fear, just what we needed. But he wasn't getting a lot of support off the next play to go again. So between him and Michael [Greenfield] they got us there".

        4-0
        4-6
        4-12
39 min 10-12
       14-12
       20-12
       20-18
       20-24
       20-30
75 min 26-30
79 min 30-30

Tamanika 2, Barnes, Herekotukutuku, Greenfield, Verlinden tries
Barnes 2 from 3, Korbosi 1 from 3 goals

Final Line Up
                                T  G/A  FG
Flbk - Wara, Samu               -  -     -
Wing - Barnes, Nathaniel        1  2/3   -
Cntr - Corrigan, Shaune         -  -     -
Cntr - Paulson, Germaine        -  -     -
Wing - Tamanika, John           2  -     -
5/8  - Widders, Dean            -  -     -
Half - Herekotukutuku, Charlie  1  -     -
Prop - Greenfield, Michael      1  -     -
Hook - Falloon, Beau            -  -     -
Prop - Grant, Luke              -  -     - (c)
SRow - Koborsi, John            -  1/3   -
SRow - Gordon, Yileen           -  -     -
Lock - Hunt, Matt               -  -     -

Int  - Verlinden, Ryam          1  -     -
Int  - Sayegh, Daniel           -  -     -
Int  - Nasio, Valu              -  -     -
Int  - Williams, Mitch          -  -     -

                                6  3/6   -  

Other Reserve Grade Matches

NYC Toyota Cup - Under 20's - Round 15

v Gold Coast, 4:45pm

LOSS 20-36

El-Zbaidieh 2, Itula, Trotter tries
Paea 2 goals

Other U20 Matches