Match report NSW State Cup Qualifying Final - West’s Magpies vs. Central Coast Storm, Morrie Breen Oval, Wyong 12 September 2009.
**ONE OF WEST’S MAGPIES FINEST MOMENTS!**
For those who traveled to Morrie Breen Oval to watch West’s Magpies must win game against Central Coast Storm witnessed one of the finest displays of rugby league ever put on by the boys in black and white.
With the Storm finishing a clear 2nd at the end of the regular season at full strength, coupled with the fact that they had the home ground advantage there was no doubt that only the diehard Magpie supporter thought they could get away with the win. **A DO OR DIE EFFORT, NO SECOND CHANCES.**
Head Coach Leo Epifania, ably assisted by Tony Carson prepared the team to perfection. Make no mistake; things were going to be very difficult with the withdrawal of utility Nu Akeripa through injury, the suspension of another key player with five eight Brendan Waters ruled out late in the week. This resulted in a major reshuffle. Moving Justin Coveney from the pack to the wing may have raised eyebrows but this proved to be a master stroke with Coveney playing possibly his best game of the season. Before taking to the field, the players gathered around Captain Nathan Waters who spoke passionately about what it meant to be a Magpie player. Yes, the boys were ready to take on the Storm.
The game was only three minutes old when second row forward Rocky Trimarchi had to be carried from the field with an ankle injury. Although this was a major blow, it steeled the players even more.
The first fifteen minutes saw both teams throw everything into the challenge with bone jarring defence being the order of the day. The more fancied Storm outfit moved the ball from one side of the field to the other trying to find a weakness, it was not to be.
The Magpies registered the first points of the day. After a probing run, half Nathan Waters pushed through a gap at pace before off loading to wing three quarter Andrew Everingham. With fifty metres to the try line and cover defence at his heels, Everingham certainly had plenty to do. With ball in hand he pushed off three attempted tackles before sprinting to the line for a stirring four pointer. Fullback Levi Freeman added the extras taking the Magpies to an early 6 points to nil lead. A great start, but a long way to go!
At the twenty minute mark, Epifania sent big prop forward Faitotoa Asa into the match. He had an immediate impact. Known for his hard, no nonsense style of play, he received an inside ball at pace before crashing through the Storm’s forwards to score a confidence boosting try. Freeman added the two points. Magpies 12 Storm 0.
From the ensuing kick off, the ball quickly spread across field to centre three quarter Josh Davis. Receiving the ball on the Magpie twenty metre line, he charged at the opposition and in eighty metre run, he evaded several attempted tackles on his way to the line. After the crowd settled, Freeman’s conversion increased the Magpie lead to 18 – 0.
In the 28th minute, Nathan Waters called for the ball. Putting in a well placed kick into the Storm’s in goal area Everingham, displaying great pace pounced onto the loose ball, recording his second try of the day. Freeman’s successful kick put the Magpies further ahead, 24 – 0.
The Storm showed how dangerous they could be by putting on a try of their own in the 34th minute, but at 24 – 4, things still looked good for the Magpies, especially after the Storm fumbled the ball in the 39th minute. Not content with going into the sheds leading by twenty points, second row forward Corey Vlaciky swooped on the loose ball before passing it off to hooker Wayde Dunley who in turn off loaded it to Asa who scored his second try. Freeman’s successful kick would see the Magpies lead 30 – 4.
In the sheds at half time, Epifania, who knew the Storm was more then capable of making up the difference in quick time, told the team to maintain composure and keep errors to a minimum. He advised the players he was happy with their first forty minutes, but emphasised that complacency would put their hard work to the sword.
The Magpies took the field with loud applause whilst the Magpie chant echoed around the ground. One could sense that this was to be the day of the Magpie, but even with a good lead, supporters were still on the edge of their seats.
The second half seemed to go for an eternity before the Magpies showed their class once again. In the sixteenth minute a scrum was packed on the Storm’s ten metre line. The ball was fed by the Storm, but at the first pass, it was intercepted by centre Davis who placed the ball under the posts for his second try. Freeman continued his form by accepting the points on offer. At 36 – 4, Magpie supporters rested a bit easier.
With the Magpies full of running and putting on a classic style of rugby league it was only a matter of time before they added to their tally of tries. In the twenty second minute, second row forward Vlaciky cut through the Storm’s defence. He advanced some thirty metres into the opposition half before passing the ball onto prop forward Daine Laurie. After drawing the defence he presented five eight Charlie Herekotukutuku with a clear run to the line. With the kick by Freeman, the Magpies led 42 – 4.
The flood gates opened and in the next seventeen minutes, the Magpies put on a further four tries. In the 28th minute after good lead up work, a simple pass was taken by replacement forward Luke Young who pushed his way over the line for a fine try. Freeman increased the Magpies lead to 48 – 4.
Five minutes later the Magpies were again on the attack deep inside the opposition’s territory. Making the most of the field position, half Nathan Waters put in an attacking kick which was dropped by a Storm player. Replacement forward Duan Poaneki picked up the ball before carrying defenders over the line with him. Freeman’s conversion put the Magpies further ahead 54 – 4.
In the thirty fifth minute, following a penalty, the Magpies forwards carried the ball to the opposition. It was then spread across the back line to centre three quarter Rhys Pritchard who outpaced his opposite number to score in the corner. Freeman’s kicked shaved the wrong side of the upright, but the 58 – 4 was an impressive score line.
Head coach Leo Epifania, spotting another opportunity, sent out the message to put in a chip kick behind the line. The result was instantaneous. Waters put the ball over the top of the defence before it was picked up by a charging Daine Laurie who sprinted fifty metres to the line. His pace was such that he had to hurdle advertising barriers behind the dead ball line before slowing down. Freeman’s last kick of the day was successful, giving him an impressive ten conversions out of eleven attempts.
The Mighty West’s Magpies had done it, beating the Storm 64 points to 4.
Head Coach Leo Epifania turned the table on the Storm after his teams’ indifferent form during the latter part of the year. He spoke enthusiastically after the game of the outstanding performance of the forwards who provided a firm foundation on which the halves could build upon. He stated that the team still had plenty of improvement in them despite not giving the opposition a sniff during the game.
The Magpie song rang out loud, with supporters gathered outside the dressing room joining in the chorus. The Magpie faithful, to a person, stated it would be a day they would never forget.
General Manager, Mr Kevin Hammond congratulated Head Coach Leo Epifania, his staff and players on an outstanding performance. He also thanked the supporters who had traveled to Wyong to support the Magpies.
**Best for the Magpies** –Michael Stolk, Alfred Betham and Daine Laurie – not in any particular order as Head Coach Leo Epifania could not split the three.
**Match ball for player’s player** – Faitotoa Asa.
**Scorers for the Magpies** – Faitotoa Asa (2 tries) Josh Davis (2 tries) Andrew Everingham (2 tries) Daine Laurie (1 try) Luke Young (1 try) Duan Poaneki (1 try) Rhys Pritchard (1) try, Charlie Herekotukutuku (1 try) with Levi Freeman kicking 10 goals.
**Next week** – The Magpies play Wentworthville Magpies Saturday 19 September 2009\. Kick off time and venue to be advised.
**ONE OF WEST’S MAGPIES FINEST MOMENTS!**
For those who traveled to Morrie Breen Oval to watch West’s Magpies must win game against Central Coast Storm witnessed one of the finest displays of rugby league ever put on by the boys in black and white.
With the Storm finishing a clear 2nd at the end of the regular season at full strength, coupled with the fact that they had the home ground advantage there was no doubt that only the diehard Magpie supporter thought they could get away with the win. **A DO OR DIE EFFORT, NO SECOND CHANCES.**
Head Coach Leo Epifania, ably assisted by Tony Carson prepared the team to perfection. Make no mistake; things were going to be very difficult with the withdrawal of utility Nu Akeripa through injury, the suspension of another key player with five eight Brendan Waters ruled out late in the week. This resulted in a major reshuffle. Moving Justin Coveney from the pack to the wing may have raised eyebrows but this proved to be a master stroke with Coveney playing possibly his best game of the season. Before taking to the field, the players gathered around Captain Nathan Waters who spoke passionately about what it meant to be a Magpie player. Yes, the boys were ready to take on the Storm.
The game was only three minutes old when second row forward Rocky Trimarchi had to be carried from the field with an ankle injury. Although this was a major blow, it steeled the players even more.
The first fifteen minutes saw both teams throw everything into the challenge with bone jarring defence being the order of the day. The more fancied Storm outfit moved the ball from one side of the field to the other trying to find a weakness, it was not to be.
The Magpies registered the first points of the day. After a probing run, half Nathan Waters pushed through a gap at pace before off loading to wing three quarter Andrew Everingham. With fifty metres to the try line and cover defence at his heels, Everingham certainly had plenty to do. With ball in hand he pushed off three attempted tackles before sprinting to the line for a stirring four pointer. Fullback Levi Freeman added the extras taking the Magpies to an early 6 points to nil lead. A great start, but a long way to go!
At the twenty minute mark, Epifania sent big prop forward Faitotoa Asa into the match. He had an immediate impact. Known for his hard, no nonsense style of play, he received an inside ball at pace before crashing through the Storm’s forwards to score a confidence boosting try. Freeman added the two points. Magpies 12 Storm 0.
From the ensuing kick off, the ball quickly spread across field to centre three quarter Josh Davis. Receiving the ball on the Magpie twenty metre line, he charged at the opposition and in eighty metre run, he evaded several attempted tackles on his way to the line. After the crowd settled, Freeman’s conversion increased the Magpie lead to 18 – 0.
In the 28th minute, Nathan Waters called for the ball. Putting in a well placed kick into the Storm’s in goal area Everingham, displaying great pace pounced onto the loose ball, recording his second try of the day. Freeman’s successful kick put the Magpies further ahead, 24 – 0.
The Storm showed how dangerous they could be by putting on a try of their own in the 34th minute, but at 24 – 4, things still looked good for the Magpies, especially after the Storm fumbled the ball in the 39th minute. Not content with going into the sheds leading by twenty points, second row forward Corey Vlaciky swooped on the loose ball before passing it off to hooker Wayde Dunley who in turn off loaded it to Asa who scored his second try. Freeman’s successful kick would see the Magpies lead 30 – 4.
In the sheds at half time, Epifania, who knew the Storm was more then capable of making up the difference in quick time, told the team to maintain composure and keep errors to a minimum. He advised the players he was happy with their first forty minutes, but emphasised that complacency would put their hard work to the sword.
The Magpies took the field with loud applause whilst the Magpie chant echoed around the ground. One could sense that this was to be the day of the Magpie, but even with a good lead, supporters were still on the edge of their seats.
The second half seemed to go for an eternity before the Magpies showed their class once again. In the sixteenth minute a scrum was packed on the Storm’s ten metre line. The ball was fed by the Storm, but at the first pass, it was intercepted by centre Davis who placed the ball under the posts for his second try. Freeman continued his form by accepting the points on offer. At 36 – 4, Magpie supporters rested a bit easier.
With the Magpies full of running and putting on a classic style of rugby league it was only a matter of time before they added to their tally of tries. In the twenty second minute, second row forward Vlaciky cut through the Storm’s defence. He advanced some thirty metres into the opposition half before passing the ball onto prop forward Daine Laurie. After drawing the defence he presented five eight Charlie Herekotukutuku with a clear run to the line. With the kick by Freeman, the Magpies led 42 – 4.
The flood gates opened and in the next seventeen minutes, the Magpies put on a further four tries. In the 28th minute after good lead up work, a simple pass was taken by replacement forward Luke Young who pushed his way over the line for a fine try. Freeman increased the Magpies lead to 48 – 4.
Five minutes later the Magpies were again on the attack deep inside the opposition’s territory. Making the most of the field position, half Nathan Waters put in an attacking kick which was dropped by a Storm player. Replacement forward Duan Poaneki picked up the ball before carrying defenders over the line with him. Freeman’s conversion put the Magpies further ahead 54 – 4.
In the thirty fifth minute, following a penalty, the Magpies forwards carried the ball to the opposition. It was then spread across the back line to centre three quarter Rhys Pritchard who outpaced his opposite number to score in the corner. Freeman’s kicked shaved the wrong side of the upright, but the 58 – 4 was an impressive score line.
Head coach Leo Epifania, spotting another opportunity, sent out the message to put in a chip kick behind the line. The result was instantaneous. Waters put the ball over the top of the defence before it was picked up by a charging Daine Laurie who sprinted fifty metres to the line. His pace was such that he had to hurdle advertising barriers behind the dead ball line before slowing down. Freeman’s last kick of the day was successful, giving him an impressive ten conversions out of eleven attempts.
The Mighty West’s Magpies had done it, beating the Storm 64 points to 4.
Head Coach Leo Epifania turned the table on the Storm after his teams’ indifferent form during the latter part of the year. He spoke enthusiastically after the game of the outstanding performance of the forwards who provided a firm foundation on which the halves could build upon. He stated that the team still had plenty of improvement in them despite not giving the opposition a sniff during the game.
The Magpie song rang out loud, with supporters gathered outside the dressing room joining in the chorus. The Magpie faithful, to a person, stated it would be a day they would never forget.
General Manager, Mr Kevin Hammond congratulated Head Coach Leo Epifania, his staff and players on an outstanding performance. He also thanked the supporters who had traveled to Wyong to support the Magpies.
**Best for the Magpies** –Michael Stolk, Alfred Betham and Daine Laurie – not in any particular order as Head Coach Leo Epifania could not split the three.
**Match ball for player’s player** – Faitotoa Asa.
**Scorers for the Magpies** – Faitotoa Asa (2 tries) Josh Davis (2 tries) Andrew Everingham (2 tries) Daine Laurie (1 try) Luke Young (1 try) Duan Poaneki (1 try) Rhys Pritchard (1) try, Charlie Herekotukutuku (1 try) with Levi Freeman kicking 10 goals.
**Next week** – The Magpies play Wentworthville Magpies Saturday 19 September 2009\. Kick off time and venue to be advised.
