In what was the only TDRL match played on the weekend, due to rain effected playing fields, The SAINTS put in a much improved A Grade performance, but still fell short of their first win for the season. Despite scoring four tries, UNI were left ruing some lacklustre right edge defence which contributed to Centrals seven tries.
Although the final score was a 36 – 20 loss, there were a lot more positives come out of the game and will be a confidence boost for their next round match against Charters Towers.
In brighter news, the CLUB’s new generation Reggies ‘Super Coach’, Alan Yardley, notched up his first coaching career win. Alan follows a long line of great Reggies coaches that have taken on what is arguably the toughest gig at the Club, behind cleaning the jerseys after games played during the wet season. Other great ‘Reggies’ coaches of the past were: Joe Baker (he would have coached the Ladies and Masters teams as well if the Club had one at the time), Wayne Nicholson (Inaugurual self-proclaimed SUPER COACH), Rolando Taviani (who wasn’t afraid to think outside the square by sending a replacement on to fake a spinal injury in order to run the clock down when his team was leading by 2 points with 5 minutes to go), Jeff ‘Herman’ Walton (who’s warm-ups not only included finger stretches, but totally comprised of finger stretches), and of course, Adrian Doig (who has now UNSECCESSFULLY retired from playing for four seasons in a row).
Things weren’t looking too good for the Reggies when Centrals got out to a comfortable lead in the first half. However, superior fitness saw them roll over the top of the oppostion in the second half to storm home for a 26-24 win.
A similar result in the Under 18s, but in a reverse method. The Western Lions – Saints led 22-6 at one stage before their iphones started going off with party invites for later that evening and they got a bit distracted. Centrals scored right on full time and converted, but the boys had hung on for a 26-24 win. Half back, Brad Cross had a monster of a game and coach, Moses Nelliman, will be looking to him to lead the troops throughout the season.
Next weekend the CLUB plays Charters Towers and looking to add an A Grade victory to last Saturday’s results. (NOTE: The Saint will be away until after Easter, so, don’t be concerned if things go a bit quiet for a little while. I’ll bring you up to date upon my return)
