Great rugby, lessons learnt

U12s applied lessons learnt last week. U12 pictures: IAN WALDIE

Under 12s

Having learnt some lessons from last week, it was great to watch the team build on the structures we are implementing, trust the process and play some great running rugby. We conceded a really early try to Maroochydore, and this snapped the boys into focus.

From there the team did really well to grind their way back into the game with two tries to lead 14-7 at half time. We scored a quick try in the second half before the boys had their game cut short by an injury to a Maroochydore player.

We will train hard this week, and build towards our next home game this weekend.

Under 11s

Reds – A revved-up U11s Reds faced off against their biggest rivals, Maroochydore, in a show of strength, speed and teamwork. The first half saw the game turn into a solid arm wrestle, with the Dolphins finding the line under the arm of new recruit, Gerry. Great defence and a few runs saw some promising play, but sloppy ruck work saw a few balls go loose to the Swans.

A rousing half time gee-up saw the boys lift into a new dimension of play, absolutely trouncing Maroochydore who answered with one try only. Ethan, Max, Xavier, Cooper, Zac and Duke all fought their way through the Swans’ line to score, supported beautifully by their teammates. Max continues to show development on the boot, converting four of the tries.

Domino’s Pizza Player of the Match went to Mikey, who was very generous in the way he played the game. He wasn’t thinking about himself, he thought about his teammates first, and was in there setting up a lot of balls. Overall, the Reds continue to build confidence, skills and support each other in their development together as a team, which bodes well for the season ahead.

Whites – By Dylan Tasker.

The Fins this week had two teams to beat;

Uni Barbarians and Grammar the opponents to bring the heat.

It’s a game of two halves so they say,

And that’s the way it played out on Saturday.

A dominant first half against a gutsy Sunshine Coast Grammar,

The boys led from the front after Tyler stepped then put down the hammer.

The Fins continued to press forward resulting in back-to-back tries,

Again Tyler then Harry bagging meat pies.

The scoreboard was ticking over in multiples of seven,

Perry’s kicking boot like a gift from heaven.

The boys’ teamwork was on full display,

Through multiple phases the barn-storming forwards lead the way.

The end of the first half brought the next test,

Uni Barbarians, the boys would need to be at their best.

The Barbarians are big, strong and tough,

The opening salvos for the Fins were rough.

The Barbarians hit the packs and cleaned the ruck,

The Fins bit down on their mouthguard; the hard work they didn’t duck.

In a game where Uni won the breakdown,

Noosa scrapped and fought with a smile not a frown.

Their effort and attitude kept them in the game,

Tries to Jack and Louis put them in the frame.

To snatch victory from defeat,

Would have been no mean feat.

Alas the final whistle blew,

The great thing about footy is next week we get to start anew.

Domino’s Pizza Player of the Match went to Tyler Walsh for his blistering, tackle-busting, long-range tries.

Under 10s

Once again the Mighty Whites warmed up in conditions better suited to warming down in preparation for their clash against the best that Flinders had to offer. Tension built as the curtain raiser ran seriously over time and everyone was searching for any shade that was available, which was none. Finally we got down to business. After conceding an early penalty, Noosa put together a scintillating phase of play with Miller to Tom to Hugo back to Miller and try time! Conversion to Mason made it 7-0. Mason then backed up with a strong run. Sol was in everything early, another set of quick hands from Mason to Tom then Hugo snapped it up for an unconverted try, 12-0.

From the kick we saw some great play from Jake and Thomas, but turnover ball saw Flinders bearing down on our line. Albie put his body on the line in defence but unfortunately they were able to flick up the ball for a try, to make it 12-7 to us. The boys came back quickly, Hunter, as ever, was in everything getting ball for Jake on the fly to Mason for a flying touchdown, literally, in the corner. 17-7 to Noosa.

We then saw dazzling some defence from Barnaby and Emmerson grassing them around the legs. Not to be outdone, Thomas, Zac and Zion were relentless in tight, with Tom impregnable at fullback. This pressure saw a loose ball that Tom then soccered along the ground twice from which Zion cleaned up and burst 30 metres upfield before offloading to Eric for a brilliant try. That was half time and the score was 24-7.

It was getting hotter and we lost all of our bench and were a man down as the Reds players had to leave for their own game, thanks guys. The heat tolled and Flinders scored back-to-back tries in the opening minutes of the half. The score was now 24-17 and things were looking ominous. Who would have thought, Noosa, like the true champions they are, regrouped and returned fire with two good tries to Eric, one of which he converted to take the lead out to 36-17. The final play of the match saw a strong run from Hugo onto Thomas bursting upfield with a slick offload to Mason for the final score of the match, 41-17. A well-deserved win in trying conditions.