Ron Lane
On Saturday at Noosa Pirate Park, the Pirates rugby league club played host to a home game against Maroochydore Swans.
On this occasion in the A grade, it was for the President’s Cup, a game which is played by the two top teams after the completion of the first round of competition.
Prior to the main game, the Swans had wins in both the U18s and the reserve grade.
In the A grade, the Maroochydore Swans got off to a good start. With just six minutes on the clock their very aggressive play saw them score the first try of the match.
With their forward pack moving in a tight pattern from a ruck they scored from just 10m out. The kick was unsuccessful, making it 4-0 for the Swans.
With the Swans starting to move the ball with some fast backline running, and Noosa being slow to move up in defence, they started to take control.
But then in the 13th minute, a loose ball from the Swans saw Pirates Jett McCarthy take possession, and catching the Swans flat-footed, scored just wide of the posts. A good kick saw Pirates lead 6-4.
Unfortunately, their lead was short-lived as minutes later, bad handling by Pirates saw the Swans swoop on a loose ball to score under the posts. Swans 10 Noosa 6.
Noosa started to tighten their game, and a good passing rush from half way finished by a short kick just over the Swans line, saw Noosa dive on the loose ball to score out wide. Kick failed making it 10-all.
Following this in the 31st minute, the Swans’ forwards gained good ground in centre field and with their backline moving up fast when in possession a long pass to the wing saw the Swans score. A good kick from the sideline saw Swans lead 16-10.
Then a penalty kick from some 30m out saw them go to halftime with an 18-10 lead.
At the resumption of play, a fast move from a play the ball saw the Swans score near the posts giving them a 24-10 lead. With the Noosa defence starting to leave gaps, Swans fullback cut through to make it 28-16.
However, with 17 minutes left on the time clock, a Noosa player suffered a severe head knock and after a break of some 20 minutes was, as a precaution, taken to hospital.
On resumption of play, the Swans took control and with three quick tries, and two converted, they were in charge with a score of 44-16.
Then right on the bell, Noosa scored to make it a final scoreline of Swans 44 Noosa 20.
If Noosa is going to improve, they must learn to play consistent football. At times their backline showed good fast ball control, but didn’t keep up the pressure, and their forwards need to run and attack as a pack. The potential is there, they just need to be consistent.
Before the game both Pirates and the Swans formed a circle with players mixing. Then with arms linked, they knelt on one knee and held a minute’s silence in tribute to a young player James Ackerman, who had died as a result of head injuries, while playing for the Sun Coast Falcons. The gesture which was called Take a Knee for Ackers, was done with dignity and was well received.
Noosa Little Athletics
As we go to press, two members of the Noosa Little Athletics Club, Zane Branco and Kristie Edwards, are on a self- organised oversea trip to gain international experience in track and field.
Noosa’s head coach Mick Hooper is over the moon after receiving results from overseas.
‘’On Saturday the Northern Ireland Championships were held and our two young athlete had great results. First of all, Zane won the long jump and Kristie won the 100m sprint title. To think that these young people travelling on their own have won these two titles is indeed a great achievement. It is individual travel and they are seeking experience, and that is what they are getting. We wish them well.”
At present their intentions are to travel to Denmark and following that they plan to be in Britain for the U23 Great Britain Titles. We wish them well.
