Round One a Great Start All Round for Bears – Match Report Round 1 Intrust Super
The North Sydney Bears Intrust Super Premiership Team have won their opening round match against the Wentworthville Magpies this afternoon at Ringrose Park. While senior feeder club Hills Bulls were also victorious in both the Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield also against Wenty.
To the delight of fans and head coach Ben Gardiner, the players also delighted in the tough match that was ultimately won in defence rather than attack.
“It was great to see them play well and enjoy it.” Claimed Coach Gardiner.
“I think our new players coming into the group appreciated the Clubs approach and the professionalism of the support staff and how they were looked after and catered for.”
Round two of the Intrust Super Premiership finds the Bears in Blacktown to face the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles at 3:00 pm on Sunday 12th March.
First tries were scored early at the five minute (North Sydney) and 10 minute (Kelepi Tanginoa for Wenty) marks. Both were converted.
Late starters for Robert Jennings and Braiden Burns combined to deliver the Bears’ (and Braiden’s) first try.
Minutes after the Bears were left defending their line after an early error which allowed David Gower in to score.
However, as the error rate appeared to transfer over to Wenty Robert Jennings again put Braiden Burns over for his second try and the Bears to hit the sheds for the break leading 16-12.
The Bears continued their attacking effort with tries to “Man of the Match” Camron Murray and a second to Robert Jennings both showing the worth of speed in attack.
Then came the Bears’ toughest test in defence.
“It showed we were strong in defence” claimed Ben Gardiner.
“I was impressed with the defence as we faced multiple sets of attack at our line and they only scored after six successive sets!”
Cameron King & Bureta Faraimo finally broke through the Bears’ line to score leaving the Bears with a slender 26-24 lead.
With the Bears on the attack in the final minutes, Cheyne Whitelaw was in position, and the buzzer sounded as the ecstatic Lock forward barged over for a try.
Final score 32-24 to North Sydney.
The Coach called out the entire forward pack.
“Our forwards were very strong. They worked well together as a team and defended well together.”
“It’s a good sign to see early in the season.”
“For the majority of the match, we worked well together. We held on to the ball, and so there were not too many errors.”
“At this level, if you have good ball security and minimise errors you have a good chance at winning the battle,” claimed Coach Gardiner.
Camron Murray’s enthusiasm and speed won him the Man of the Match.
In a great day out in Wentworthville North Sydneys’ senior feeder club partner, the Hills Bulls also had wins in both the Ron Massey Cup (18-8) and the Sydney Shield (24-16).
“With nine of our contracted players in the sides, we spoke prior to the day about the challenge of all three teams having a win. So that was another great effort by their respective teams,” said Ben Gardiner.
In round two of the Intrust Super Premiership, the Bears travel to Harold Laybutt Sporting Complex, Blacktown to play the Blacktown Workers Sea Eagles 3:00 pm Sunday.
Intrust Super Premiership Round 1
NORTH SYDNEY BEARS 32 (tries: Braiden Burns 2, Robert Jennings 2, Cameron Murray, Cheyne Whitelaw, conversions: Eli Levido 2),
defeated WENTWORTHVILLE MAGPIES 24 (tries: Kelepi Tanginoa, David Gower, Cameron King, Bureta Faraimo, conversions: Jamal Fogarty 4).
Ron Massey Cup Round 1 – North Sydney contracted players in italic
HILLS BULLS 18 (tries: Thomas Young, Aaron Weston, Thomas Eisenhuth, Steven Bristow, conversion: Jayden Horo),
defeated WENTWORTHVILLE MAGPIES 8 (try: Zac Greene, conversion: Zac Greene, penalty kick: Jack Miller).
Sydney Shield Round 1 – North Sydney contracted players in italic
HILLS BULLS 24 (tries: Thomas Eisenhuth 3, Danyon Barnes, conversions: James Horvat 4),
defeated WENTWORTHVILLE MAGPIES 16 (tries: Solomone Lasalo, Siaosi Sisifa, Joshua Minhinnick, conversions: Jayson Lombardo, Brendon Newton).
FINAL TEAM
1 Latrell Robinson
2 Dane Nielsen
3 Tyrell Fuimaono
4 Robert Jennings
18 Braiden Burns
6 Sitiveni Moceidreke
7 Eli Levido
8 George Burgess
9 Bradley Deitz
10 Tobias Rudolf
19 Angus Crichton
12 Cameron Murray
13 Anthony Cherrington
Interchange
11 Tautalatasi Tasi
14 Piki Rogers
15 Clayton Williams
16 Cheyne Whitelaw
Coach: Ben Gardiner