IT was a very successful day for the Scone Thoroughbreds on Saturday with all teams winning away from home against the Muswellbrook Rams in the Where There’s a Will round.
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First grade had a nail biting finish running out winners 26:24 and claiming the Where There’s a Will trophy back from Muswellbrook.
The Thoroughbreds were playing confidently from the beginning and Tim Smith started with a double in the first 15 minutes. Timothy Bridge was next to cross with 20 to go in the half, and that would be the end of scoring for a 14:0 halftime score.
Scone started the same way with Jarrod Wicks showing his speed, going over after 5 minutes and converting his try. Scone seemed to have the game under control at 20:0.
Muswellbrook maintained a lot of pressure in the next 10 minutes and were rewarded a converted try. The Thoroughbreds responded however when a mistake by the Rams at the kick off allowed Haydon Topliss to cross, Jake Watts adding the extras to take it to 26:6.
The Rams scored with 10 to go off a kick through. A Scone player went to the sin bin which gave the Rams the numbers and opportunity the final 6 minutes to score another two tries in rapid succession Scone hung on however to secure the win and bring the Where There’s a Will trophy home. Great day for the Blue and White.
Coach Aaron Watts was happy with the win but was acknowledged that the team let the Rams back into the game.
“There were plenty of positives coming from the game,” he said.
“We came here to win and although we let them back into the match, we achieved our objective.”
The Reserve Grade match was a convincing win to the Thoroughbred team. They needed the win to secure second spot in the competition leading into the finals and a 34:0 lead at half time proved good enough to secure the win for Reggie’s with the final score being 34:12.
Joe Adams managed a hat-trick in the first 15 minutes to give them all the momentum. Tries then went to Ryan Hawkshaw, Thomas Vincent and James Eveleigh before half time with Jake Watts converting 5.
The second half was a different story however with the Rams providing some stiff opposition and scoring two converted tries, for the final result.
Coach Jade Smith was very pleased with the result.
“We had some added pressure on us today, needing the win to give us second spot,” he said.
“We played really well in the first half and then probably let off the pressure in the second.
“Rams to their credit played much better in the second half and we will need to ensure that we put in the same effort in both halves in the final series”
The young Thoroughbreds Under 18’s had a close and tough encounter, eventually winning 24:16. Two converted tries, including a length of the field intercept against the run of play to Wes Riley enabled Scone have the first half lead of 12:6.
Edward Roser scored early in the second half to extend to 18:6 however Muswellbrook came back with two tries of their own. The score was 18:16 with two minutes to go when Ronin Hadden made a long break and found Ben Fechner backing up for the finals score of 24:16. Three conversions to Nathan Clerke and Ben Fechner had one.
Coach Chris Brennan was pleased with the win.
“We knew it would be a tough game and we weren’t disappointed,” he said.
“The boys kept hanging in there and were able to take some opportunities when they came up.”
The Ladies League Tag started the day off well for the Thoroughbreds with a convincing win over Muswellbrook team 36:0. The young Ramettes were short of numbers and only had 9 players to start with. Scone made the most of the circumstances with Sarah Smith crossing after 10 minutes. Tries came a little more regularly after that with Flynn Haggarty, Sofie Casson, Samantha Elphick and Sophie Hinde all going over. Elphick converted four of the tries for a 28:0 lead.
The second half was a closer affair with Scone only crossing twice with tries to Georgia Watts and Sophie Hinde got her second. Elphick converting one of these.
Coach Josh Adams acknowledged the effort of the Rams team.
“They played well for being short of numbers,” he said.
“Our girls were pretty methodical and the score reflected the game.
“Another clean score sheet shows the emphasis we have on defence and that was very pleasing.”
President Tom Hagan praised the Muswellbrook Club for putting on the Where There’s a Will Day.
“This is a fantastic cause and all Clubs in Group 21 are behind the organisation,” he said.
“Great to see a good crowd and a wonderful result for all Thoroughbred teams.
“All teams will be in the major semis next Saturday at Aberdeen and we expect to see a flood of blue and white there.”
