Report

What the Coach thought…

I’ve been lucky enough to be at this Club for over 16 years and have won some big games but I think last Saturday’s victory against Norths in the mud was one of the most satisfying and best victories I have been a part of.

Before the game  we said we needed to play for 80min; little did we know we would actually need to play for over 100 minutes!!!  In horrible conditions, both teams were forced to play conservatively with kicking for territory the priority in attack with discipline and line speed the keys to defence.

Tane, Gonzo and Belly were brilliant controlling field position while each player muscled up in defence and I don’t think I’ve seen so many big shots in one game with Jed, Nox, Patty , Sione, Ratu, and Ed Craig all pulling over huge hits to continually repel the Norths attack.

But in the end it was our heart and desire that got us through (not necessary skill as that disappeared once or twice causing the coach to nearly have multiple heart attacks!) something that has become a hallmark of this young team .

We are now off the grand final and as we sat in the change rooms exhausted but happy we are agreed;  – 1 more to go, 1 more to go…

Ben Batger