PINE Rivers were handed their first loss last past weekend in Division 2 of the Brisbane and District Women’s competition against a fired up Wynnum Manly.
Pine Rivers kicked off to an enthusiastic Wynnum side, and it didn’t look promising for Wynnum early, as they knocked on in their first set, 10m outside their try line.
Pine Rivers pushed the middle, setting themselves up for a try, but some good Wynnum defence caused Pine Rivers to knock on in-goal.
Wynnum managed to gain two straight sets, but a great intercept by Pine Rivers forward, Natasha Thorley, saw her break through; looking for the try line. A desperate, but great, try-saving defensive chase by Wynnum fullback, Serena Martin, and centre, Beth Farry, stopped Thorley two metres short of the line.
Eleven minutes in, both sides went back and forth, with glimmers of great play, but due to too many errors and knock ons, neither side was able to cross the line.
Pine Rivers gained a great set, sending winger Kirsty Mihatov scooting down the paddock; gaining some great metres. Getting two penalties in their favour, Pine Rivers looked almost certain to score, but unable to find the line as the kick went out of play.
Fourteen minutes in, a knock on by Pine Rivers from a scrum, 30m out of Wynnum’s try line, gave Wynnum the scrum feed. A barging run out of the scrum from Wynnum’s, Josie Brockhurst , saw her push over the line to score the first points of the game. With an unsuccessful conversion, Wynnum took the lead 4–0.
The try for Wynnum gave them a newly found confidence as they started to dominate in attack, and with some beautifully placed kicks by Wynnum five- eight and Captain, Amelia Naawi, Pine Rivers were feeling the pressure.
Twenty-four minutes into the first half an unfortunate and serious injury for Pine Rivers; halted the game.
As the game restarted, Wynnum didn’t take long to fire at a depleted Pine Rivers. A fifth and last kick by Wynnum, saw a storming chase and pick up by Wynnum second rower, Petrece Maxwell, cruising across the line for Wynnum’s second try. With an unsuccessful conversion, the score was with Wynnum 8-0.
With only five minutes until half time, Wynnum were not finished yet. With two tackles down, a quick play the ball for Wynnum, saw Wynnum’s, Tanna Mackey, scoot from dummy- half, gracefully weaving in and out of the defence for 60m and over the try line. With another unsuccessful conversion, Wynnum lead 12-0, as the whistle blew for half time.
Halftime allowed Pine Rivers to regather themselves, as they came into the second half with much more confidence. They didn’t take long to prove they weren’t going to hand over a win easily as Pine River’s captain and lock, Taylor Renshaw, barrelled through the middle, and with an effortless hit and spin, flew under the sticks for Pine Rivers first try of the game. An unsuccessful conversion for Thorley saw the score move to 12-4.
Pine Rivers seemed to have picked themselves up, following their first try as Pine Rivers prop, Amy Horsburgh, set them a great foundation; taking two massive hit ups within the one set and with a quick pass out wide to Thorley, saw them score their second try within the first five minutes of the second half. An unsuccessful conversion had Pine Rivers only four points behind, as Wynnum still lead 12-8.
With 20 minutes left on the clock, Wynnum took advantage of Pine Rivers’ mistakes and depleted numbers, gaining a third straight set near their try line. Pine Rivers couldn’t hold out an excellent Wynnum back line any longer, as a swift, inside pass by Wynnum centre, Sheradynne Haynes , to halfback, Taije Woolley , saw Woolley , cross the line, and with an unsuccessful conversion, Wynnum stretched their lead 16-8.
Eighteen minutes until fulltime saw a controversial sin bin handed to Pine Rivers’ Thorley. With Pine Rivers down a player, they had to work even harder, and work hard they did, managing to keep Wynnum out of the try zone with some tight defence.
As Pine Rivers sin binned player returned, fatigue was already set in, with both teams playing out the last eight minutes, gaining some good opportunities but unable to find the try line again.
After what seemed like a two hour long game, (due to the serious injury), the end of game whistle finally blew, with the final score going to Wynnum 16-8. Wynnum celebrated a well-deserved first win of the season over Division 2 competition leaders Pine Rivers.
Pine Rivers coach Jason Salzman, said the team were disappointed with their performance on Sunday.
“We showed up as 14 individual players and not as the team we have proven to be. While we may not have been out skilled on the field, we were most definitely outplayed by Wynnum. We will also feel for the loss of two key players, Katelyn Gaske and Beth Horsburgh, who are both out for the season,” he said.
Results for 3 and 4 May 2014
Division 1
Beerwah 40 beat Aspley 6
Burleigh Heads 38 beat Carina 4
Souths Logan 58 beat North Ipswich 18
Points
Souths Logan 11, Beerwah 9, Burleigh Heads 7, North Ipswich 5, Carina 3, Aspley 1.
Division 2
Toowoomba Fillies 30 beat Wests Inala 22
Burpengary 30 beat Capalaba 18
Wynnum Manly Juniors 16 beat Pine Rivers 8
Waterford 38 beat Swifts 28
Points
Pine Rivers 8, Toowoomba Fillies 8, Burpengary 8, Waterford 6, Swifts 6, Wests Inala 2, Wynnum Manly Juniors 2, Capalaba 0.
