The make up game against Knox during the week set a good platform for the match up against Petersham, who were one point above us on the ladder going into the game. Unfortunately the first kick off displayed an area of our game that needs a lot of work, as Petersham were able to get their hands on the ball early and pressure our line. Thankfully the team defended well and worked their way up the pitch and scored a try through scrum half Gavin Taylor, who converted his own try.

The kick off issues again reared their ugly head, with a mistake receiving the kick-off, again presenting Petersham with easy possession. This time they scored a try, taking the score to 7-5. Despite some spirited counter rucking by Petersham, Taylor scored his second try after some great ball movement through the forwards and some great tactical kicking by fly-half and captain Luke Fletcher. This took the half time score to 14-5.

There was plenty of positive talk at the half time huddle as the team knew it had only had to improve in a couple of areas to start putting some points on the board. This proved accurate as winger Tom D’Arbon scored his first try in the corner, before Taylor scored his third try after a great turnover by number eight Terry Langi. D’Arbon scored his second try after flanker Rabeeh Karaali made a great break and D’Arbon had a hat trick shortly after.

With the result becoming very one sided, the team didn’t take its foot off the accelerator as it had in the past, with prop Lewis Williams scoring from a rolling maul and flanker Tom Pashley scoring the final try after a loose ball was kicked through. The final score of 52-5 was a great indicator that the team is starting to really gel and the defence is still the best in the competition. We have moved into outright fourth spot on the ladder, but expect to be overtaken as we have a bye next week.

Individually, Gavin Taylor was fantastic, terrorising the defence at every opportunity and kicking 6 from 8 conversions for a tally of 27 points. Tom D’Arbon had his best game this season and was great, both in attack and defence. Luke Fletcher controlled the game both with ball in hand and his boot, while Rabeeh Karaali and Josh Hayward worked tirelessly all game and broke the line consistently.

Best & Fairest

3 – Gavin Taylor #9

2 – Tom D’Arbon #11

1 – Rabeeh Karaali #7, Luke Fletcher #10, Josh Hayward #12