Lack of Possession Tests Young Bears

The Bears SG Ball U18s side were defeated by the Balmain Tigers 56-12 on Saturday at the #8thWonder Leichhardt Oval.

However forced into defensive mode, the Bears proved themselves a hard-working pack in the unexpected result.

“We were our own worse enemy” Claimed Coach Shaune Wiffen.

“Completions and discipline are where we let ourselves down.”

📅In the next round, the North Sydney Bears SG Ball Cup team face the Central Coast Centurions on Saturday 12:30 pm at Morrie Breen Reserve.

📸Check out our action shots of Photo Gallery – Round Two SG Ball Cup Vs Balmain.

The Bears were actually first to score off a cross field kick which allowed centre Sean Sabutey to score out wide.

Jeremy Gibson’s conversion was a difficult one but was successful, and Bears were 6-0 in the lead.

The Tigers returned serve with three tries to the half and lead 24-6.

“To only have the ball for 13 minutes in total out of a 70-minute game tells the tale.” Said Coach Wiffen.

As the second half began, there was no sign of a run-a-way match. The Bears took full advantage off a penalty and moving down field Norths centre Ali Saad scored.

However, errors at critical stretches continued to deny the Bears both possession and points.

With 25 minutes to the final siren, the Tigers began their onslaught to finish 56-12.

Not surprisingly the strong points for the Bears was the defensive effort.

Highlights of the day were lock Zac Borg with 40 tackles, Captain Jayden Griffin with 25 tackles and prop Matthew Hammond with 22 tackles.

Jeremy Gibson’s two conversions were outstanding.

Coach Wiffen now moves focus to their next match, “Anyway, we move on to the Central Coast next week where we know things will improve.”

Shaune now looks to round three for redemption when the North Sydney Bears SG Ball Cup team face the Central Coast Centurions on Saturday 12:30 pm at Morrie Breen Reserve.

 

BALMAIN TIGERS 56 (tries: Bennett Wheelhouse 3, Curtis Wilson 2, Adam Rizk, Lachlan Ilias, Henry Lealuga-Puhotau, Itiliami Sikahele, Abdalla Matar, conversions: Curtis Wilson 7, Bennett Wheelhouse),
drew with NORTH SYDNEY BEARS 12 (tries: Sam Stratis, Ali Saad, conversions: Jeremy Gibson 2).

 

The SG BALL CUP is a 17-team under-18s Australian Rugby League competition conducted by the New South Wales Rugby League.

The competition includes both junior representative teams of National Rugby League and Intrust Super Premiership New South Wales clubs that do not field a team in the National Rugby League competition.

The SG Ball Cup is named after SG “George” Ball, one of the five people responsible for the formation of the South Sydney Rabbitohs, and who was club secretary for more than fifty years.