Lovely Morning At Marcellin
It was a lovely morning on Saturday 14th January to kick-off the 2023 calendar year of football down at Marcellin Fields at Heffron Park, Maroubra. South Sydney junior teams played 4 trials during the day with Penrith and later the Central Coast Roosters.
SG Ball Match Report
First up was the U19 SG Ball trial. A few players were stepping up from Harold Matthews U17 squad this year. The match was played in 4 x 20 minute quarters. Squads were swapped around every quarter as coach John Sutton looked to understand his best combination for the first round. Kick off is on February 5th, a short 4 weeks away.
The opening quarter was played under overcast conditions, as the Souths boys took it up to Penrith early. However a well drilled Penrith put on two tries at the back end of the quarter going into the break 8 nil. The second quarter was a similar story with dropped ball being an issue as the rain swept across the ground. Penrith added another two tries going into the break 16 nil. No goals were being attempted.
The second half saw some changes, and with some regular possession it was not long before a lovely backline move saw fullback Dane Towns chime into the line scoring a try.
Only two minutes later we were back in scoring position. A bench second rower #15 scored and clawed back two tries. A late try in the quarter to Penrith saw us win the quarter 2 tries to 1 but still behind 8 to 20.
The final quarter saw Penrith skip away further with two early tries. Before a dummy half try saw us cross their line. Penrith hit back with a final two tries to dominate the last quarter. The game finished 12 to 36 or 9 tries to 3 to Penrith.
It was a good hit out against one of the stronger teams. There is however some work to do improving ball control and developing defensive combinations.
Harold Mats Match Report
U17 Trial v Penrith
Next up was the U17 Harold Matthew 3-way trial. The match again was played in 4 x 20 minute quarters. The first two quarters against the Penrith Mats team, and our last two quarters against the Central Coast Mats team. Penrith and Central coast played each other in between.
The game got off to a slow start as a weight of possession allowed Penrith to dominate the early part of the game as we let in 3 tries in the first 11 minutes. The team then switched into gear as momentum changed. A good try to second rower Quinn Mersal late in the quarter saw us get on the board and go into the break 4-12. The second quarter was all Souths as a lovely setup try saw us edge back to 8-12 before we were in again from a stepping run from Matt Humphries.
Souths won the quarter and drew the clash with Penrith 12 all.
U17 trial v Central Coast
By the time the team return for the second stanza versus the Central Coast the rain had passed. The sun was out as the day started to warm up.
The first quarter started with a try to the Coast and it would remain like that until the first break 0-4. The last quarter saw Souths start dominating the game with a strong forward try before a lovely cutout pass saw Saxon Lester score out wide. He was unlucky not to the same a few minutes later. Souths winning the quarter and the game 8 to 4.
There are some good signs here for coach Luke Kellar to work with.
It was a fun day out with numbers like 41, 81, 127 and 161 taking field.
Marcos Match Report
By Marco Sivis from the SSR Almanac reporting for Bunnies TV.
Add comment