This was always going to be a tough assignment with a couple of late drop-outs due to injury and illness and against a team that played in C grade last year. With 13 able bodied Cougars, plus some extras from North Rocks, we started the game in great form. Our ball retention in the first 10 minutes was fantastic with plenty of pick & drive in the forwards and expansive play in the backline. We were rewarded with a hard fought try in the corner to Zach. 5-0 to the Cougars.

The next 10 minutes were back and forward with our boys matching it against much bigger opposition (what do they feed them at North Rocks?). Some handling errors started to creep into both teams (including a couple near the line by North Rocks), but momentum was starting to switch when their no 12 went straight through the middle and under the posts. The loss of our captain, Will Staber, with a head knock didn’t help our chances. Our fitness started to lag a little and North Rocks stepped up a gear as they finally worked out they had a huge weight advantage. Half time score was 17-5.

In the second half North Rocks continued to get the ball to their big boppers, who were also fast (that should be illegal!). I thought we looked pretty good when we had the ball in hand – and we were able to string together multiple phases. But North Rocks proved too big and too strong. We did get a consolation try in the final five minutes – which was a just reward for the team who kept their heads up through a difficult half of footy – and especially for the scorer, Hayden, who bamboozled them with his footwork. It was a pretty tough day at the office for Hayden at fullback with those big units charging down at him. Final score 55-10

I think there is a good chance that North Rocks will be re-graded after the first 4 rounds – so unlikely that we will see them again this season. We will be doing it tough with numbers again this weekend as it is compulsory that Will Staber sits out 3 weeks with the concussion rules. So get your boys to ask all their mates if they want a game of footy!

Great to see new player, Lucas, on the paddock and enjoying a few runs and some tackles – good stuff!

The points this week. Ziggy gets 3 points – he had a great game and never stopped trying in his return to rugby after 2 years off. Curtis 2 points – as usual, he just kept chipping away at the opposition both in defence and attack. Hayden 1 point – a great ticker against some of their giants.