By CLARE ASKEW
DUE to the fact that the Eumundi Dragons under-12s scheduled match with Sunshine Coast Grammar School under-12s last Saturday had to be postponed, the boys played a most enjoyable ‘friendly’ with the under-12 boys from St Andrew’s on Friday evening.
The club would like to thank Steve Robson and his players for providing much needed match experience within a friendly but competitive environment. All players and supporters enjoyed the evening so much that we are planning on making such games a regular occurrence throughout the season.
The match was played under cloudy skies with a light breeze blowing light showers across the immaculate playing surface at the Peregian Springs Sports Reserve.
The Dragons were put under pressure from the outset and showed admirable resilience and determination to hold out the St Andrew’s boys for as long as they did. In the first half, the St Andrew’s boys crossed our line three times but on each occasion they had to play their best rugby to do so.
In the second half, the Eumundi boys – on the back of some solid work by our forwards – were able to make positive inroads into the St Andrew’s defence. Even though the boys weren’t able to cross the tryline, the game was much more evenly poised with the play going from one end of the field to the other.
Positive features of the game for the Eumundi team was the way the forwards performed, especially the scrum, and the way in which we were able to defend through effective use of sliding defence when under attack on the flanks.
When the backs had a clean ball they were also able to use their size and pace to good effect.
All 14 players put in 100 per cent and demonstrated real skill development after the training sessions and pre-season games.
Our player of the match, scrum half Kaan Askew, who was made captain for the game, showed calmness and leadership when the pressure was on. He pulled off some excellent tackles in defence and ably served his team-mates from the base of the rucks and scrums.
Next Thursday 8 May, we will play our delayed match with Grammar, at Eumundi – kick-off at 4pm.
