2021-18-11: Wests v Goulburn

Recap

Goulburn Under 18s finish second in good-spirited competitive game

By THE SIDELINE EYE

A great game of rugby was had at Weetangera Oval today.

The sun was out, the mud was thick, and the spirit of the game was how it should be, a much-needed respite from last week’s conditions.

The spirit of the game was evident at the start, so the boys were keen to play rugby. They got caught on the back foot after a super-fast burst from the slick West backs seeing them in for the first points of the game in the first five minutes.

The play was matched and enjoyable to watch. Not sure what pre-match ritual Brayden Crooks was using, but it’s a winner. That kid was on fire!  Not a tackle missed and Jai Moorby was running amazing assistance down the line and a few try attempts were foiled by the dynamic duo.

The boys found themselves on the wrong side of a few penalty whistles and those West’s backs chewed up the metres, and in they went again. Unfortunately, the sensational skills of Brayden were foiled by a knee injury that would make the most seasoned old rugby boy grimace. So off he went.

Harry Hayes carried the usual super-human work rate, but his reputation must have proceeded him, and he was well contained by West’s. Things stayed this way for a bit until a rather slick run saw Goulburn down peppering the try line.

Daniel Garton, Sam Spackman, Super Cooper Camden-Smith and Jake Rudd worked and worked the line, until a great quick ball out to Jack White saw Goulburn on the board. The half time score was 24-5.

It was evident they missed the 2 forwards from last week, but second half they came out flying. Challenging the rucks beautifully, the pick and drives were working well, and they had a sting to them. A failed attempt to find the side-line saw the ball in the possession on Lachlan Turner, and I tell you what, just call the kid flash, man he can move!! And move he did, straight over the try line.

A few chip and chases went unfruitful, but Daniel Garton found himself with the ball and charged his way to the line, and over in the corner.

The Final score was 24-15. A first win for West’s, so no nudie run for them, but an enjoyable game for all.

The last game of the season will be against Eddies, and I have faith in the boys, that the score-line will be a lot tighter this time around.