Close match goes to Woy Woy

Woy Woy defeated Ourimbah in a closely fought Rugby Union match that saw a catch-up game from round eight played out in fine and sunny conditions on June 12.

Described by Central Coast Rugby Union president Mr Larry Thomson as the match of the day, Woy Woy kicked a penalty goal in the dying minutes of the game to defeat Ourimbah by 22 points to 20 at Ourimbah.

"It was a close game throughout with both teams having their chances of victory," Mr Thomson said.

"The opening stages of the match were a real arm wrestle.

"Both teams had periods of attack then had to follow up with sustained defence.

"Several quite easy shots at penalty goal were missed by both teams so neither team was able to gain the ascendancy.

"Ourimbah did open the scoring in the 10th minute when Ourimbah five-eight Leigh Manu kicked a penalty goal for Ourimbah to take a three-points to nil lead.

"This was squared up soon after when Woy Woy halfback and kicker Marlon Counsell slotted a penalty goal to make the score three-all.

"This remained the score for much of the first half.

"It was a very physical game and the soft conditions were certainly sapping the energy of the players.

"Both teams went close to scoring but nothing was to happen on the scoreboard until the latter stages of the half.

"Ourimbah were on attack and their forwards were in control when the team was awarded a penalty try under the posts.

"The conversion of this try made the score 10 points to three and that was to remain the score at half time.

"Both teams had several good players in the first 40 minutes.

"Best for Ourimbah were five-eight Leigh Manu who directed play well and also kicked well. "He was well supported by flanker Conan Hill who made some very telling tackles and was all over the paddock.

"A feature also of this half, and of the game as a whole, was the strength of the Ourimbah tight five.

"They were very strong in the set pieces and their scrum was on the go forward all day. "Hooker Matt Ropoama was most effective, and he was well supported by prop Brett Cunningham.

"Woy Woy played well but was getting limited supplies of good ball.

"Their best players during the first half were five-eight Eddie Malo, who kicked for position very well in the half, and he was very well assisted by both flankers, Nick Garnett and Kane Burns."

Mr Thomson said both these players covered a lot of territory and made several effective tackles in the first half of the match.

"The opening stages of the second half saw Woy Woy on the attack," Mr Thomson said.

"They kicked a penalty goal to reduce the score to 10 points to six, however Ourimbah hit back strongly.

"Their scrum once again took charge and created a pushover try for their number eight Matt Tisdell.

"The Ourimbah scrum was certainly creating havoc and this try and conversion had increased Ourimbah's lead to 17 points to six and things were looking bad for the visitors.

"A further penalty goal to Woy Woy kept them in touch and had reduced the lead to 17 points to nine.

"However in was in the middle sections of the second half that things certainly changed.

"Woy Woy were able to cross for two very quick tries.

"Within about five minutes, Woy Woy had jumped from a 17 to nine deficit to a 19 to 17 lead. "Two great individual runs by winger Jack Riley and then by lock Junior Qata resulted in the two tries.

"Not too much had changed in the general flow of the game but these two tries had certainly changed the scoreboard.

"Ourimbah took lead the lead with less than 10 minutes to go with a penalty goal to Leigh Manu, but Woy Woy sealed the game in the dying stages when their five-eight Edmond Malo slotted a penalty goal to make the final score 22 points to 20.

"Either team could have won this game, but the result leaves these two teams separated by only one point on the competition ladder, but Woy Woy do have a game in hand.

"Both teams are certainly looking as top four hopefuls this year in what is a very close competition."

Mr Thomson said the postponed Woy Woy vs. Northlakes game will be played on August 11.

Press release, 13 Jun 2010 Larry Thomson, Central Coast Rugby Union