6 September 2008
The stage for Under 18s premiership 23-12 win over Wests-Subiaco was set when a victorious Women’s team took time out from their celebrations to form a tunnel for the team to enter the field. (Thank you and congratulations on your Grand Final win). We got off to a great start when inside centre Sione Kaliatama scored from a well-read intercept pass in only the second minute. The kick was converted by Ethan Reed. Wests came back hard only to run into a solid, well-organised defensive wall. At the breakdown the forwards were aggressive and gave nothing away and Wests frustrations began to show. We played to our game plan superbly, everyone raised their game and Wests had no answer. Scoring for the first half was rounded off with two penalties from flyhalf Ethan Reed. A controlled, disciplined and very focused first half performance set the foundation for this win.
The second half started the same way as the first with a try, this time in less than a minute from the kick off. Manessa Ellery collected a chip kick from fullback andran the ball up, the forwards cleaned out, halfback Daniel Bezant’s pass found fly half Ethan Reed whose cross-field kick dropped perfectly behind the defending winger for a rampaging Peter Mathews (Man of the Match) to burst onto, gather then draw in the defender and pop a pass off to the try-scorer, winger Carlos Forbes. The momentum was now fully with Baysie. Five minutes later, after fullback Manessa Ellery had again ran the ball up to be followed by a big pick and place from second row Jake Buist, half Daniel Bezant found #10 Ethan Reed who picked the rushing defence and again chipped over the defending winger for our wing Carlos Forbes to chase. Outside centre Graham Brown as ever in support swooped on the loose ball and dove for the line and a try. At 23-0 we turned off for ten minutes and allowed Wests to score before getting back on game plan and taking control. With the game in its closing stages Wests again crossed for a second try before we closed the game out.
An outstanding performance from the entire squad resulting in a well deserved victory. The grand final win capped of a terrific season where the U18s also took out the minor premiership. Well done guys, all the hard work was worth it! Special thanks to Lex, Glen and Legs for their input into training, club coach “JT” Taylor for his technical advice and words of wisdom, Alaina and Juliette for strapping and looking after the boys' medical needs, the “water girls” and management assistants Sarah and Alex, assistant coach Dave Matthews (a very proud dad) and the glue that held us all together, manager Edwina Reed.
Under 18 Premiership Winning Squad
Ethan Reed (captain), Dean Dela-Vedova (vice-captain), Reggie Simpson (vice-captain) Jake Buist, Sione Kaliatama, Peter Matthews, Graham Brown, Manessa Ellery, John Sleeman, Keri Gotty, Matt Wikatoa, Dario Jititano, Simon Uili, Chris Doherty, Sam Sacks, Damon Leite De Cunha, Tiri MacDonald, Vish Appadoo, Daniel Bezant, Carlos Forbes, Ryan Gass, John Nathan, Nik Wybrow, Tiewi Paul, Baden Wardlaw, Will Bejerrum and Issac Carlisle.
A superb season for the U18s, winning both the minor and major premierships