LAST WEEK’S REPORT
The Brahmans played one of their best games this season after a dreadful first half. Both teams scored only 16 points each in the second half. Former Cherrypicker Drew Arabin played at 5/8 coordinating the Brahman attack.
A cold and overcast day greeted the Brahmans at Manildra Oval for their clash with the Rhinos in round 11 of Woodbridge Cup on Saturday. After a 42-12 thrashing on April 16 by Manildra at Binalong, the job of winning away looked daunting. And it opened badly for the Waldren Construction Brahmans who were trailing 10-0 after 7 minutes. After the first quarter of the game this had blown out to 14-0, but Binalong struck back with a well-placed grubber by 5/8 Drew Arabin which landed in the Manildra in goal and Haydon Bee pounced and the visitors were back in the game at 14-6.
The Rhinos gave away a lot of penalties during the game which allowed some field position for Binalong. However the home side scored four more unanswered tries to lead 38-6 at half time. The Brahmans line speed and formation were reasonable but following line breaks, their defensive patterns are disrupted and their opposition seem to score at will. Coach Ben Spencer was off his crutches and walking freely, his half time words brought results as it was a very different squad which took the field for the second 40. It is hard to fathom why the brand of football displayed by the Brahmans in this final forty minutes has been absent for so much of 2016. Lance Adams, Anthony Merritt, Dave Ings and Beau O’Mara contributed heaps during the game and had some second phase play going and the passes were sticking. Drew Arabin and Haydon Bee seemed to have the better of the kicks in general play than Manildra did.
The penalties continued to flow in Binalong’s favour but Dave Ings was sent to the bin for a foul. Mick Spencer crashed over near the posts and Binalong were 38-12 down after 47 minutes. Danny Arabin continued to charge the Rhino’s line and a well-executed cut out pass by brother Drew saw David Cribb score in the left corner. The home side then countered this for 44-16. The Manildra right centre was then sent for ten on a touch judge’s report for a high tackle. Anthony Merritt came back out and playing as a virtual 5/8 chipped to the left corner and Luke Cotter batted the ball back to Tim Regan for his try. In spite of the heckling by the Manildra supporters Regan converted the try from wide out and it was 44-22 after 68 minutes.
The final minutes saw Manildra run away with the game 54-22, including a try after the siren which went virtually undefended. But it was a much better display by the Brahmans, they defended well in places and attacked very efficiently all day. Unfortunately the Jersey Girls were also defeated by a very fast moving Manildra side who hardly made a mistake all day. By contrast, the visitors dropped a lot of ball and at half time they were down by 22-0. Em Banks and Madeline Brayshaw were good and in the second half the Jersey Girls managed to halt some of the attacking raids. Kirsten McGhie was rewarded with a try wide out on the right and the game closed out at 34-4. In other results: Cargo 32 def Burrangong 24, Condo 32 def Trundle 30, Grenfell 50 def Peak Hill 16 and Eugowra 28 def Canowindra 26. Next week Binalong are away again at Condobolin. Makayla Walker.
THIS WEEK”S MATCH
The Waldren Constructions Brahmans made the road trip out west to Condo on Saturday to take on the Rams. With a deficit of minus 342 in 2016 and leaking nearly 30 points per game, Binalong were behind the eight ball on foreign soil. The game opened badly for the Brahmans when fullback Todd Ridley went in under the Binalong sticks after 4 minutes.
The Brahmans managed to take the fight up to the home side for a further eight minutes through well-constructed attack by Drew Arabin and Tim Regan who was at half back, but Condobolin went in wide out for 10-0. As quarter time came and went the Rams scored twice more and it was 22-0 with around 15 minutes left of the half. James Blair was back after a long break and running strongly at left centre.
Blair made a break which got Binalong close enough for Rod Freeman to score for 22-4 which was the half time score. The ground was very water logged and slippery which made playing conditions difficult on a cold and overcast day. However, Drew and Danny Arabin provided more inspirational play and Cuz Merritt added plenty of spark for the visitors as well. Youngster Dylan Arabin came off the bench after the Rams had scored again and Dylan slipped a perfect inside pass to Tommy Johnson to score to the right of the posts, Tim Regan added the extras for 28-10.
Andrew Stadtmiller on the charge.
The Brahmans completion rate looks dreadful in 2016, mainly because of the amount of tries scored against them in matches. However their turn-overs in recent weeks have reduced, but momentary lapses in concentration allow line breaks and the opposition gets the ball back. Then Condo scored two quick tries and it was 38-10. A couple of nasty tackles went in from both camps and tempers flared.
Binalong did hold up the home side for ten minutes on their own line, a couple of repeat penalties followed which helped the visitors to obtain a line drop-out for themselves. Shortly after regaining possession the Rams lock dropped the ball on the first tackle and Tim Regan fielded the ball only to cop elbows in the back while he was on the ground. Players rushed from everywhere and the game erupted.
Play resumed after 2 minutes but the discontent remained and the all-in was on again and both Tom Johnson and the Rams half back got ten in the bin. Down to 12 a side and Condo scored again to go 44-10 up. Nevertheless, Binalong didn’t give up Mick Spencer and Andrew Stadtmiller pressed home the attack, but Condo scored to hit their half century then Dylan Arabin crossed for a try with minutes remaining, which he converted for the final 50-16 result. It has been a disappointing season for the premiers, who, to their credit have not let up on a game since round 4.
The Brahmans set-play defence has been quite good since about round 6 but their broken play tackling simply vanishes following a line break, Beau O’Mara was unable to play last Saturday and in the past he has been their only second line of defence. Even so, Condobolin were good enough away to defeat Trundle on their home ground the previous Sunday, so the Rams are well placed for the finals.
The Jersey Girls were well served in their match by the wonderful Tara McGrath-West who attacked and defended with zeal all day. However they too lost their game 18-10 after the contest was locked up 10-10 at half time. The Ramettes were 10-0 up after 12 minutes but Tara and Brooke Barrow scored just before half time. When play resumed, Condo crossed again and it was 14-10. Christie Johnson, Melissa Ings and Tioni Smith attacked time after time but could not get the break. With 3 minutes to go the hosts scored again for the result 18-10, Binalong still retain a top five position.
The Brahmans Calves survived a scare, trailing most of the game they scraped home 24-22 right on the bell after Jake Arabin and Lane Gaudie had scored in the first half. Will Manwaring, Dylan Downey and Jeff Brown crossed in the second half and Dylan Arabin won the game with a conversion just before the final whistle. Next Saturday Binalong have Grenfell at home for the third last home game of the year and their Sponsors Day. The Brahmans Ball will be held Saturday night.
Riva Potter.
The Brahman Ball has been sold out! Congratulations to the club.
