Groundtek Junior Pythons travelled to Molong for their second gala day of the season, and all players enjoyed themselves immensely.
First up apologies to the under 10s for a lack of reports as your correspondent wasn't able to cover any of their matches.
However, I'm sure that the team of Jack Beath, George Carroll, Ben Harrison, Tim Middleton, Levi Richards, Brendan Morgan Smith, Cormac Lamond, Michael Brown, Josh Trayhern, Alexander Bennett and Peter McNamara played strongly and with excellent sportsmanship.
Supercoach Two, Peter Middleton, undoubtedly brought out their best play and had the backs running everywhere and the forwards gaining hard yards up front.
The under 8s first game was against Wellington tested Supercoach One, Michael Fagan, as he encouraged the 8s to spread out more across the field rather than bunching up, although this took a long time to sink in.
Toby Harrison earned the team's first try as the players all combined in the lead up.
The defensive effort was a team affair as Will Fagan, Jake Nash and Joe Clarke tackled anything that moved.
The 8s second game was against Bathurst and saw a more concerted effort as the boys got a little more used to each other and the way the game is played.
Jonah Richards and Toby Harrison provided the speed around the field before the team showed great passing, which led to Toby's first try.
Will saved a reply from Bathurst with an amazing chase and tackle that prevented the attacker scoring a try.
Tom Robson went for a run himself while Jacob Nash amazed all those watching with the dexterity, and frequency, of his passing.
Toby finished the game with another try following a great solo run up field.
The 8s final game was against Dubbo Roos and with the addition of Dad's from both sides the boys finally got the idea of covering the whole field.
Toby, Jonah and Tommy were the defensive standouts here as they refused to let any Dubbo player get away from them.
They were backed up in this defensive effort by Matthew Cramp and Noah Richards as they covered the whole field in defence which allowed the quicker players to attack at will.
Will Fagan scored a try after he busted Dubbo up the middle and Jacob Nash followed this up with a try of his own.
Youngsters Peter Harrison and Noah Richards showed their potential for the years ahead as they too sprinted up field and evaded the odd tackle.
The 8s improved with each game and there were smiles all round at the end of the carnival.
The 12s faced some larger opponents and acquitted themselves very well in their first game against Kinross.
The Pythons augmented by Kinross players, attacked from the whistle but it was the opposition who scored the first try.
Dan Middleton and Zac Rue showed the extra experience from their Saturday games and lead the way in attack and defence with Dan making many strong runs up field.
However, it was one of the Kinross Pythons who went over for the Pythons first score which evened up the game score.
Defence was a little slack as the Pythons tended to tackle high and get brushed off rather than aiming the tackles lower.
However, Lachlan Clulow and Isaac Beath combined to prevent Kinross going any further before Dan stole the ball from a tackle, beat three defenders and scored soon after half time.
Connor Bennett tackled hard and jolted many balls loose while Zac Rue prevented a certain try after he refused to give up the chase and tackled a Kinross player into touch close to the try line.
Tom Brown performed very well in his first ever game of rugby union running the ball up strongly and tackling anything that moved when they came near.
The 12s second game was against Bathurst and Bathurst scored before the Pythons had a chance to settle.
However, they refused to let this unsettle them as Connor Bennett took the ball from the scrum win, dodged through the defence and scored wide out.
From the following kick off Connor then snavelled the ball kicked through re-gathered and scored again and put the Pythons in the lead.
One of the Dubbo extras scored the Pythons next try before Zac capped a good game by darting over the line after the Pythons forwards stole the ball.
Dan continued his good defence ably assisted by Edmund O'Ryan, Stewart Russell and Tom Brown with Stewart nearly getting two tightheads in the scrums.
The 12s final game was against Forbes and with Canowindra again bolstered by players from Orange Emus (including Alex Wilson, Marion and Barry Wilson's grandson) the Pythons ha high hopes of success.
However, the head combined with no reserves and no respite saw the 12s slightly outplayed.
Defence was the key as Lachlan Clulow, Isaac Beath, Connor Bennett and Zac Rue tackled their hearts out.
Dan rolled his ankle and had an early mark while the team carried on.
Connor and Zac ran at every opportunity and just failed to score which was an unhappy note to end on but we all have high hopes for the next carnival.
The Junior Pythons travel to Bathurst next Sunday for the Bathurst Burrs gala day which hopefully will see lots of tries, lots of thumping tackles and a rollicking good time.
One date to remember is August 6, which will see the gala day circus arrive in Canowindra for the Pythons gala day.
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