Under 10s Kinross Gala Day Report
The Canowindra Junior Pythons had their last gala day on Sunday at Kinross, Orange and they had mixed success with the 10s playing some of their toughest rugby union all year.
The Luke Clarke Under 8s were guided by substitute coach Matt Coady as Tim Wright was double booked commitment wise.
Although details were unavailable no doubt the 8s played with their usual flair for the impromptu and unexpected as boys and girls combined for a good Sunday morning run around.
The Canowindra Services Club Under 10s played three games as usual and their first was against Orange City.
In a very close game the 10s had an extra player, Clarrie Pratton from Molong who helped round out the team.
Brenton Clements opened up the game with penetrating runs down the sideline while Matt Schuler always made ground as he bamboozled the City defence with huge sidesteps.
However it was Callum Clyburn who scored the teams first two trys as he took advantage of poor ball security from the Orange City side and ripped the ball from them before he raced away down field and scored twice.
Daniel Schuler, William Fagan and Wesley Blair led the team in defence as they concentrated on defence and ball retention in the ruck and mauls.
Levi Richards and Callum Clyburn were terrific defenders on the fringes of the field as they brought down many flying opponents and stopped certain trys.
With the regular gala days the 10s are starting to remember their positions and play more as a team rather than all chasing the ball all over the field , all the time, a very pleasing development.
The Under 10s second game was against Dubbo Rhinos and was the toughest game of the year so far against a bigger Rhinos side.
Despite taking punishment all game none of the smaller Pythons would leave the field permanently, a quick spray from the water bottle and the battered player was ready to return to the field.
Wesley Blair and Tom Robson lead the battle in the set pieces as they guarded their ball like it was a big packet of killer pythons while Will Fagan and Dan Schuler ground the Rhinos to a stand still when Dubbo had possession.
The mauling work paid off as both Callum Clyburn and Levi Richards scored trys coming off the back of rolling mauls where their blistering speed got both of them over the line.
Despite more speedy attack from Cal and Levi with Matt Schuler always in support, the 10s Pythons were limited to the two trys while their bigger Dubbo opponents ran out winners with five trys.
The 10s final game of the season was against Orange Emus and although battered and bruised from their two previous physical games none of the 10s took a backward step as they went down narrowly, 4-3.
Wesley Blair found his 'second wind' and led from the front dragging team mates with him through very physical set pieces.
The Schuler dynamos Matt and Dan backed him up all the way, followed closely by Tom Robson, the late bloomer of the team.
Levi Richards harassed the Emus constantly as he tackled tenaciously and attacked furiously. [In fact more like a terrier than a Python.]
Levi scored the 10s first try as a snapped up an intercept from a lazy Emus pass and sprinted over half the field for a try.
Brenton Clements almost added to the total only to be tackled centimetres short of the try line.
Set backline moves saw Callum Clyburn exploit the open spaces created twice for the 10s other trys.
Despite dogged defence from the entire team Orange Emus snuck over the match winner late in the game and ran out winners four trys to three.
An end of season wrap from the 10s management team of Michael Fagan, Craig Lamond and manager Andrew Robson said the development of the team over the 2007 was nothing short of miraculous.
None of the 10s had played tackle before the opening game and all boys suffered shell shock after their first game.
However careful coaching from Craig and Michael saw the boys adapt and take to tackles, rucks and mauls like snakes to chicken eggs.
Good sportsmanship was always a priority, so much so that opposition supporters comment on the 10s good attitude, especially at Kinross on Sunday.
So with the improvement shown 2008 looks like a great year for the Canowindra Services Club Under 10 junior Pythons.
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