REDBACKS 25 DEF HARLEQUINS 15

The Under 6 Redbacks started a little rusty after the two-week break but eventually roused to grind out a win against the tenacious Harlequins last Friday night in Goulburn. Enthusiasm certainly wasn't lacking. Each player was as keen as the next to get hold of the ball and go for a run.

It was in defence that the Redbacks took a bit of time remembering the call of make-a-line. But by the time the coach was hoarse, blue in face and had pulled out most of his hair, the team started to get on side and to cover the Harlequins wide runners. Adelaide Wall and Cowen Cameron were menacing again in the centre, while Josh Clarke, Harry Waters and Pippi Cairns covered around the edge of the ruck.

Hughie Lyons was a determined defender out wide, while Albert Hazell eventually found his position after a bit of revving from his almost hairless coach. In the end the Redbacks only let Harlequins in for three tries in ultimately the team's best defensive effort of the season so far.

In attack, Albert and Hughie backed up strongly and scored two tries, while Josh crossed for one. Cowen had some good runs and Adelaide is starting to find her direction. Harry Waters also backed up well and was never far from the action in both attack and defence. The Boiled Lolly Man of the Match, Pippi Cairns continues to demonstrate her Rugby pedigree, making several fine runs and getting the Redbacks into good field position each time.

With four games to go the Redbacks are five wins from seven games. Next week Redbacks front up against the Taralga Tigers, who just pipped them last time. It’s bound to be a close encounter again. Well done team - Coach Peter Hazell.

UNDER 10 MATCH REPORTS ROUND 9

REDBACKS 60 DEFEATED GOULBURN BRUMBIES 15

The score does not tell the full picture! Our Under 10 team was finally at full strength however found ourselves down by 15 points mid way through the first half due to terrible defence and giving away silly penalties. After a season of solid wins, the team thought it would ‘happen’ and we would win by simply turning up. The Redbacks finally started to control the ball and saw the locals enter half time only 15-12 down. As they say in the classics, this was truly a game of two halves with some inspirational oranges from the Lyons family at the break, assisting our boys to run in eight second half tries to be convincing winners 60-15. All players contributed greatly to the team effort in the second half, with two tries in particular resulting from four and five passes across the field. Our scorers were Ben Critchlow 3 tries + 1 conversion, Callaum Doyle 2 + 1, Matt Galvin 2, Harry Jeffery and Ned Jeffery 2 + 1. Conversions to Forbes Gordon and Lachlan Usher. Lolly Shop Award to Darcy Lyons for some wonderful runs and determination at the breakdown and Coaches Award to Thomas Barrington for a sterling job at 5/8 and Matt Galvin who does a lot of little things really well. A superb second half boys and a first half to learn from.

UNDER 10 MATCH REPORT ROUND 10

REDBACKS 45 DEFEATED CROOKWELL PUPS NIL

Our second game in 24 hours saw us down two players and yet again a slow start with poor ball handling and lack of commitment over the ball. At times there are a few team members who would rather run the ball than do the hard work to win the ball at the break down. Thankfully we still did enough to score seven tries to nil and run out convincing winners in the end. The most pleasing aspect from the coach’s point of view was that we kept the Pups scoreless with determination and scrambling defence. A solid game all round but we do have some work to do if we are to build as a team for the remainder of the season. Tries to Ben Critchlow 3, Harry Jeffery 2 and Ned Jeffery 2. Lolly Shop Award to Ned Jeffery for a wonderful game at half-back . Coaches Award to Lachlan Usher for continually doing the tough stuff over the ball to make the backs look good. As Mother Theresa said “ we cannot do great things, but we can do things with great love” and I think the Under 10s are loving their footy. Congratulations to Agus, Ned, Ben and Matt who backed up and played in the Under 12 game. Well done boys.

UNDER 12S

A fantastic surface and conditions greeted the Redback 12’s for Crookwell gala day. Harry Shoemark started the points coming for Braidwood with a 50m run up field from the base of a scrum. For much of the first half, poor decision and one out play shut down scoring opportunities for an often unmarked backline. Will Shoemark scored a ripping try, picking up a half volley that was dropped by Crookwell and ran an easy 5m to put the ball down under the posts. Again Zak Hilhorst felled tall timber while Tom Cairns dived over from a collapsed maul near Crookwell’s uprights early in the second half. Braidwood turned things around in the second half, they played with focus on the ball and in giving each other opportunity. Tom Cairns was having the best tackling game of his year, while also getting stuck into the clean outs when required. Harry and Will Shoemark were also putting some grunt into rucks and mauls to Braidwood’s advantage. Josh Story also turned his game around in the second half, scoring two good tries, harnessing his wealth of talent more adeptly. His 2 conversions gave Braidwood a hard fought but comfortable win.

To make up numbers for this game, 4 of the Braidwood 10’s lent their shoulders to the 12’s cause. It was very brave for all of these boys to line up against opponents that could be almost 4 years older than them. Agus Putra Jaya, Ben Critchlow, Matt Galvin and Ned Jeffrey stood shoulder to shoulder with their 12’s mates and did more than hold their own. The Braidwood 12’s couldn’t have done it without them. Thank you very much on behalf of the 12’s! You did yourselves and the Redback’s proud!

Note: Please excuse the lack of detail re: the second half, I was preparing myself for injury in the Golden Oldies!

A Cairns