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Close Starts – Big Finishes

Round 6 of Gippsland Rugby League was played at Maryvale Reserve Morwell last Sunday and the games appeared to be toss of the coin affairs, up till half time in both matches

By Mark Strini - 5th June 2001 - Back to News

Round 6 of Gippsland Rugby League was played at Maryvale Reserve Morwell last Sunday and with the upset results of Round 5 still fresh in the finds of all League followers, this weeks matches were always going to be keenly watched.

The opening match was between the hosting Morwell Miners and the Churchill Gladiators. Churchill showed the League last week that they were not only competitive, but could win the close ones, and with Morwell also causing an upset, a close match was again expected.

The match started as was predicted. A tough, tight dour affair, especially in the Forwards, where it was important to both teams to have early ascendancy. Both teams attacks came with plenty of opportunity, but poor ball control was the downfall to both sides and whilst the half was played try for try for its entirety, both teams would have been disappointed with pushed passes, forwards passes and dropped balls which resulted in a close but very scrappy first half. With the scores locked up at 16 all, a Morwell try on the half time bell saw the Miners lead 22-16 at the break.

The second half however could have gone either way. With both attacking lines consistently getting through the defences, it turned to a possession game, and the difference shone through when the Miners completed their sets and kept the Gladiators defending. Morwell steadily scored its tries with patience in attack, getting through its sets, and getting a good kick away and this starved the Gladiators of the ball. As Morwell continued its push forward, Churchill’s response in attack turned to desperation to get that final ball away, but its flair only created turnovers, and quite often, very early in the count. This gave Morwell a mountain of possession, and the tiring legs of Churchill opened up the gaps in its defence and the Miners ran away with it. The Gladiators managed to score 2 tries in half, showing that there attack was more than capable, but the Miners lack of second half errors proved to be Churchill’s main hurdle and the Miners finished comfortable winners 54 – 28.

The late game between Traralgon and East Gippsland had all the credentials to be a beauty. Whilst East Gippsland form has been a little inconsistent, they were ready for there big test against the League leaders, and they got off to the perfect start opening up the scoring with the first try. The Panthers as expected however bounced straight back with a one of there own, and when there second try came soon after, the Brumbies soon realised that only their best was going to be good enough to match the Panthers. In what was a physical match, the Brumbies held there own for most of the half, particularly in defence as the potent Traralgon backs continued to pressure there line. That consistent pressure finally paid off for the Panthers when they crossed for there third try for the half but the Brumbies were not going to lie down. A late half assault saw some points go their way and in what was a real contest, the Panthers led the Brumbies at the break 18 – 14.

The second half began as the first ended. A real contest between 2 very good teams. For the second week in a row, the Panthers were being genuinely contested and when the Brumbies crossed, midway through the term and hit the front, the intensity went into overtime. The Panthers had a real battle on there hands and wearing down the Brumbies proved harder than anticipated. They did however manage to turn the Brumbies momentum the only way the Panthers know how – on the scoreboard. They got there nose in front again and it was the Brumbies turn to lift a notch. The dogged determination of the Brumbies saw them come back again and again throughout the rest of the match, but a few blown opportunities in attack gave the Panthers an inch, and when you give the Panthers an inch, they will take every bit of a mile and that they did. The next try that came to the Panthers appeared to break the back of the Brumbies, and particularly when the Brumby bench was spent, the Panther machine took full control of proceeding’s. The final 20 minute blitz of Traralgon saw them run in 5 unanswered tries and streak away to a 46 – 22 victory, to again drive home the point that they are the team to beat in 2001.

The Ladder after 6 Rounds highlights Traralgon’s dominance, with Morwell opening a 2 game break on East Gippsland in second spot.

* Churchill Forfeited 2 Points in Round 1

The League rests next weekend with the Queens Birthday break, and will return in Round 7 on Sunday June17 when at Gaskin Park Churchill, the Gladiators host Traralgon at 1pm and Morwell tackle East Gippsland at 3pm.

Never the less, this Friday will see 2 Melbourne storms player visit Gippsland, where the Gippsland Junior Rugby League have organised Rugby clinics in both the Latrobe and Wellington regions for Primary and Secondary Schools. The Storm’s Matt Geyer and Ben Roaraty will conclude there day will a Senior Skills and Coaching session for our local coaches and Senior players at Mobil Park, kicking off at 5pm.

The Junior League have also organised a Trivia night for the same night starting at 7pm at Karma Hall in Morwell. Tables of six are required at a cost of $5.00 per head. Bookings through the League Secretary are essential as seats are limited, and with proceeds going to our junior representative players who are travelling interstate later this year for State Team duties.

Yours in Rugby League - Mark Strini - President.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: grl@gippslander.com

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