...(above) none of the Braves wanted to line up in the front row again this Sunday... The Braves travelled into Bega for the local derby on the weekend- a venue that hadn't brought many points or much luck over the past few visits.
The Braves were surprised to see how dry the Bega pitch was- all of the council's water has obviously been diverted across to the beautiful code that is Rugby League. The result was quite a few high bouncing balls, which made control of the ball and the Braves' normal smooth passing game more difficult.
Try they did though- without much luck or success to keep possession or build decent attacking moves. They were also a bit thin at the back too- with an unfit and injured new man on the left with his damaged wing.
It soon transpired that the Devils made some strong attacking moves- stretching the Braves out on the big field and really testing the stand in keeper. Barney made a couple of Keysie like saves to keep the scores at 0-0. It was Dunko in the end who made the blunder that allowed the Devila to get their nose in front. He was too busy trying to avoid a cross from the left to block it and the resulting scrable put the Devils one up. They had to work bloody hard for that one though.
The scores remained 1-0, Miko having the best of the Braves' chances in both halves and making a number of threatening runs towards Adam Blacka in the Devils goal. The Braves regrouped at the break, realising that without more ball, they were going to struggle to compete.
The second half saw the Braves string together more passes- 3-4-5 in some movements. Unfortunately it's a few more passes needed on the wide open prarie that is 'Hell' (the home of the devils). They did make more probes into the Devils defensive area, Miko again on the end of some of his lightning quick runs. Dunko managed to get forward enough to make a Devil challenge him in the area and he made an uncharacteristically awkward landing- all in the name of protecting his injured arm. Crouchy stepped up with the ball after a heated arguement with Cappitane Maz (settled last week at training?) to put the penalty away nicely.
Unfortunately it wasn't long before the Braves had conceeded another corner though. After a rebound, Dunko was forced to come in from his far far post man, missed the ball in the challenge and his man he left camly tucked the ball in for wahat turned out to be the winner.
The Braves did create a number of other probing pushes forward, one which really should have resulted in a second penalty for them, but it wasn't to be.
Dissapointed, but conscious of the fact that they had probably played better overall than the previous encounter with the Devils, the Braves will be keen to put more pressure on the Devils in the final competition round. It should give the keen, but relaxed Braves squad a gauge of how they have progressed this season. Honorable mentions go to Paddy, Maz, Buzz, Dan and Crouchy all who ran quite a few miles in pursuit of the young quick Devils players.
With some quality passing drills on Wednesday night, the Braves should be keen to knock the ball about more against the Hoppers at Brave Park on the weekend. With Lenno Back, but the great man JMac missing(much to some player's relief), this weekend the team should take on a decidedly attacking look.
This Saturday at 1.30 will see the hometown Braves meet at Brave Park for some necessary work to prep the field on Sunday.
See you there!
Go the braves!
The Braves were surprised to see how dry the Bega pitch was- all of the council's water has obviously been diverted across to the beautiful code that is Rugby League. The result was quite a few high bouncing balls, which made control of the ball and the Braves' normal smooth passing game more difficult.
Try they did though- without much luck or success to keep possession or build decent attacking moves. They were also a bit thin at the back too- with an unfit and injured new man on the left with his damaged wing.
It soon transpired that the Devils made some strong attacking moves- stretching the Braves out on the big field and really testing the stand in keeper. Barney made a couple of Keysie like saves to keep the scores at 0-0. It was Dunko in the end who made the blunder that allowed the Devila to get their nose in front. He was too busy trying to avoid a cross from the left to block it and the resulting scrable put the Devils one up. They had to work bloody hard for that one though.
The scores remained 1-0, Miko having the best of the Braves' chances in both halves and making a number of threatening runs towards Adam Blacka in the Devils goal. The Braves regrouped at the break, realising that without more ball, they were going to struggle to compete.
The second half saw the Braves string together more passes- 3-4-5 in some movements. Unfortunately it's a few more passes needed on the wide open prarie that is 'Hell' (the home of the devils). They did make more probes into the Devils defensive area, Miko again on the end of some of his lightning quick runs. Dunko managed to get forward enough to make a Devil challenge him in the area and he made an uncharacteristically awkward landing- all in the name of protecting his injured arm. Crouchy stepped up with the ball after a heated arguement with Cappitane Maz (settled last week at training?) to put the penalty away nicely.
Unfortunately it wasn't long before the Braves had conceeded another corner though. After a rebound, Dunko was forced to come in from his far far post man, missed the ball in the challenge and his man he left camly tucked the ball in for wahat turned out to be the winner.
The Braves did create a number of other probing pushes forward, one which really should have resulted in a second penalty for them, but it wasn't to be.
Dissapointed, but conscious of the fact that they had probably played better overall than the previous encounter with the Devils, the Braves will be keen to put more pressure on the Devils in the final competition round. It should give the keen, but relaxed Braves squad a gauge of how they have progressed this season. Honorable mentions go to Paddy, Maz, Buzz, Dan and Crouchy all who ran quite a few miles in pursuit of the young quick Devils players.
With some quality passing drills on Wednesday night, the Braves should be keen to knock the ball about more against the Hoppers at Brave Park on the weekend. With Lenno Back, but the great man JMac missing(much to some player's relief), this weekend the team should take on a decidedly attacking look.
This Saturday at 1.30 will see the hometown Braves meet at Brave Park for some necessary work to prep the field on Sunday.
See you there!
Go the braves!
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