Under 18 Vs Gatton Match Report

The Toowoomba Valleys Roosters Under 18 Grade team is proudly sponsored by Steggles, Construction Siteworks, Neil Mansell Transport and Thiess.
We took the trip down the range to Gatton this week. With the competition so tight the 2 points were very crucial for us. We won 34-16 but we made it tough for ourselves right from the start. 3 penalties in a row gifted Gatton with a few sets on our line which led to the first try of the day. It was a very disappointing start after such a great performance the week before. It didn’t take long for the boys to kick into gear, but we need to start better. We made great metres when we had the ball and put on a few try’s of our own. Unfortunately we got a little too cocky and ventured away from our structure. We bombed four very simple scoring opportunities in the first half, all with the last pass. It was very frustrating to watch. I didn’t have to say much at half time, the boys knew they should be playing at a much better standard. The 2nd half was much the same. We produced plenty of opportunities which is pleasing to see but to let another six tries go begging again because of the last pass. What was great to see was the two under 16 players that came up to help out while our players have been away. Wally Peglar and Jessie Mailman were fantastic in their first games for us. Jessie was massive in the front row. He made metres at will and has some great hands on the line. Wally played nearly the whole game in the centres and impressed every time the ball got to him. He was even better in defence closing down any chance Gatton had of breaching the line, in a position that has been our weakest link previously. Yet again, Trazan Rihia was our best. He continually sets a bench mark that makes him, what I believe, the best front rower in the comp and I’m hoping the rest of the team are striving to hit the same level.

Matt.