On Saturday the Pythons pulled on the jumpers for the first time this year in a trial match against Grenfell.
In unusual wet conditions the boys got off to a good start and took control of the game early.
However with the wet ball the handling skills were getting a work out with both teams spilling their fair share of possession.
When Grenfell had a kick up field captain coach Marc Whelldom scooped up the ball twenty meters out from our goal line and ran around seven or eight opposition players and scored the first try of the game. Marc showed everyone that his shear speed is going to be very hard for any team to contain him this year.
Marc converted his own try to make the score 7-0. The Pythons continued to dominate possession and worked there way up to Grenfell try line. A tight head scrum win allowed the backline to try a few moves with great running showed by the whole backline.
When Stu was given the ball on the charge from 15 out he stormed his way over the line taking three tacklers with him to score the second try of the day.
The conversion was unsuccessful to take the score to 12-0 in the first 15 minutes of the first quarter.
After the first break, with the rain coming down even heavier, the game tightened up a fair bit with the Grenfell forwards taking the ball up in pick and drive style.
This saw them steal a lot of meters up the field.
With Grenfell on the attack Marc and Stu our two try scorers attempted a tackle on the opposition, only to clash heads and open each other up with plenty of stiches needed (Stu will probably be doing a lot off sprints at training this week).
With our five eighth and inside centre gone for the rest of the game a bit of reshuffling was needed. Rusty Kennedy slipped into the 5/8th role and Greg Middleton going to half back.
With the reshuffling, Grenfell took the opportunity to get on the score board with a couple of quick tries, taking the score to 12 all at the second off three breaks.
After a good talking to by the senior players the Pythons returned to the field taking control of the game.
With Rusty and Greg combining well saw a lot of breaks from all over the field with good meters gained all the time but unfortunately, the last pass or ball not bouncing our way did not see any more points put on the board from either team.
The game was played in good spirit but was also a good physical hit out from both teams.
The boys would like to thank the supporters who came over to watch them and braved the cold and wet conditions.
We would also like to welcome all new players to the team and hope they will enjoy their year at the Pythons.
After the game saw everyone do a pub run on the way home to Canowindra to help Ian Morrow celebrate his 21st birthday so hope he had a good night and recovered well on Sunday. And everyone at the club would like to wish our prop Timmy Bray all the best on a speedy recovery after not feeling the best over the last week, and know that he is gutted from not being able to play on the weekend.
Also on behalf of the entire Canowindra Rugby Club all our thoughts and prayers are with The Jackson family.
This Friday we are travelling to Cowra to play them in our last trail match before the comp starts on April 14.
So with a couple of slight injuries there is still room for players to make there way into the team. Training will still be on Tue and Thur night at 7pm so hope to see everyone there.
Go the pythons
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