By Ron Lane
On Saturday afternoon at Pirates Park, their A grade Division 1 Rugby League team, the Noosa Pirates, made it two wins in a row, when the defeated Nambour 36-12.Prior to this win they beat competition leaders Kawana, 6-4 in a very tough game. Before a good size crowd of supporters, this win will certainly fuel the fire for a possible grand final finish. Judging by their overall performance, it would have to be rated a possibility.
First points came from a try by Dan Robinson converted by Seaton Reid, which gave the Pirates a 6-0 lead. Noosa then, playing good fast open football, made several good sweeping runs, but with some good cover defence by Nambour’s’ forwards, they were kept at bay. However, two quick tries just three minutes apart, saw the Pirates in front by 18-0. Keeping up the pressure the Pirates went into the half time break with a 26-0 lead, resulting from a penalty and a converted try.
Noosa dominance in the first half, came as a result of some very fast play the ball, followed by good fast feeds from the dummy halves, with Jacob Spark in particular: this gave support runners room to move. A solid game from the halves, with Seaton Reid, being outstanding in both attack and defence, was a major factor.
Just minutes into the second half, Nambour’s No 6 Dylan McGrath, caught the Pirates napping and a try between the posts, which was converted, resulted in a score of 26-6 Pirates: however, in the second half the pace from both sides dropped off considerably. Nambour was unlucky, when on two occasions, good attacking runs from both wingers fell just short. Had it not been for some worrying stand- up defence from the Nambour centres, the final score of 36-12 would have been wider.
The main curtain raiser, saw Nambour claim a win in a very see -sawing game 22-18.With Nambour leading 16-6 at half time, Noosa hit back scoring next to the post and with the try being converted, score stood at 16-12 Nambour: but minutes later Noosa scored again making it 18-16 Noosa. However, with just minutes to go Nambour hit back with a converted try making the final score in this exciting game 22-18 Nambour. In the U/18s game Noosa played good football to defeat Nambour 48-8,and in the ladies’, it was a 32-10 for Noosa.
The club extended they’re thanks to Cooroy Supa IGA, for Sponsoring, the entire Saturday Game Day, and Always Cool Air Conditioning as Sponsors of the A Grade: also, all who helped make it a great family day of football. A major highlight occurred at half time in the senior game, when, to the delight of the crowd, the Pirates Little Legends 6 and 7year old’s ran on to the small field for their game.
For Noosa Pirates, Saturday was definitely one of the best: not only did their win make it two in a row, but sitting on the reserve bench waiting to be the first on, was an 18 yr. old Noosa High, school boy named Heath Robinson. For this young man it was his big day: after starting his career as a U/8 Pirates Junior he was about to play his first game A grade: a shining example of what is being achieved by the Noosa Pirates Development Program. After school, you can find this tall rangy teenage second rower, working at Davo’s North Shore Bait and Tackle Shop. A young athlete with his feet firmly on the ground: we wish him well in the seasons ahead.
Over at Dolphin Park, it was also a home game for the Ray White Noosa Dolphins Rugby Club, as they played host to the visiting University team. Their program of three games ,the ladies, U/18s and the As, was a bit disrupted when the U/18, was cancelled because of a minor incident regarding the Covid regulations. This was indeed a bit sad: but a big well done to the rugby people for it shows that they are doing the right thing, regarding current health regulations. Well done to those involved.
For the ladies, their game, according to a flyer released by club President Donald McKill, was a one- sided affair. As a result of some outstanding running rugby and turn over defensive work, Noosa went into the half-time break leading 34-7 and went on to score a further 51points in the second half. With captain Tess Evans leading the forwards and Vice-Captain, Naomi Tomlinson feeding the back line they were just too strong. However, the spirited University ladies never gave up the fight.
The A grade turned out to be a much tighter affair with both teams playing some expansive football: however, Noosa’s performance saw them leading 14-7 half- time. This resulted from tries by Jock Hanson and Brandon Meyhew and supported by brother Jordan, who converted both. The second half, saw Noosa extend their lead with three quick tries’, one of which came from some great rugby from by Brendon Meyhew: a move that was supported by some outstanding ball handling skills by former Wallaby Rod Davis. This gave Noosa a 31-10 lead which gave the local supporters the feeling that the game was theirs. But Uni hit back with three quick trie’s of their own, giving Noosa a reduced lead of just 31-28: with two minutes to go and Uni needing 5 points to win. But it just wasn’t to be. From a great game of Rugby, Noosa’s young gun, Harry Langbridge, emerged as the winner of the Little Sister Man of the Match.
This win sees Noosa still at the top of the competition ladder. Next week, Noosa travels to Brisbane to play Wynnum Bugs: a must win game for the Ray White Noosa Dolphins.
Last Saturday, was also a very busy day for members of the Sunshine Coast Martial Arts: commonly referred to as Karate Noosa. During the course of the morning, five people were graded for their Black Belt. The results of these gradings are fully recorded and sent to the World Shotokan Karate Federation in Japan for endorsement
The exam for these grades, is conducted over a period of approximately two hours, with heavy emphasis on technique and mental attitude. These are conducted in a very formal atmosphere: this tends to subject the members to a certain amount of pressure. The entire examination is conducted on strict traditional lines. There is no emphasis on physical fitness, as it is expected that a student, having reached this standard, should have already achieved the fitness level that enables them to continue advance training: training that will take them to highest levels in the sport. Next week we take a closer look at this sport, a sport which for the first time ever, will this year, be contested at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
