ROUND 8 - 14.06.25
TWO OUT OF THREE
In the words of the immortal poet, Meatloaf, two out of three ain’t bad. The Rebels men got the job done in their games against Lismore City, but our women’s side came up against a top-class team.
Sometimes in competitive sport you just have to acknowledge that the opposition team was better on the day. It was Ladies Day at Lismore Rugby Park and the Lismore ladies put on a master class to show why they are the benchmark team in the women’s competition. The Rebel’s women played with their usual joy and love for the game on full display, but the home team were too skilful, to well-practised and too damn fast down the wings. They ran in seven tries to win 43 -5 with the only try for the Rebels coming to inspirational captain Shyanne Appleby. But the result certainly didn’t seem to dampen the enthusiasm of our girls to join in the post-match socials. They are stars on and off the field.
The Rebels second grade side was boosted by the presence of some very experienced (euphemism for ‘old’) faces. Club legends Neil Moran, Brian ‘Davo’ Davis, Joe Hill and even Coach Mick Muir pulled on the boots in the forwards. The mercurial Campbell Harvey added speed and X-factor in the backs. New player Alex Davies looked composed and effective at half-back in his first game for the Rebels. All round it was way too good a team for Lismore City.
This was an important game for the Rebels, being played for double points to make up for a wash-out in the earlier round. The aim was to score four tries and win with a bonus point. That was done and dusted before half time. Lismore simply had no answers to the rampant Rebels. Tom Albans made powerful metres every time he touched the ball. James Ellis was outstanding on his return from injury and may have found a new home at number 7. Whenever the ball went wide, Campbell Harvey and Will Latham were there to ghost past the defence. In fact, there were good performances from the Rebels players right across the field. It was an outstanding team effort, reflected on the scoreboard: 66 – nil.
The first-grade side also needed a bonus point win to get the season back on track after two agonising, last-minute losses in the previous rounds. But we didn’t make it easy for ourselves, and Lismore played with real determination. Especially in the first half, the Rebels looked rusty and disconnected. Maybe the bye week hadn’t helped, maybe it was a few changes in personnel, but the error rate was high, and the team just seemed to be struggling to find rhythm and cohesion. Lismore flooded the breakdowns and we weren’t accurate enough in the clean-outs, resulting in slow and scrappy ball for the backs and numerous turn-overs.
However, there were also passages of play when the Rebels showed what they are capable of. Sam Valpy’s two tries in the first half were champagne rugby. Will Latham’s charge down try at the end of game was a great example of pressure, skill and opportunism. And there was no question about the team’s effort and commitment. In the forwards Charlie Fallows, Reece Bartlett and newly-minted number 7 Will Hawkins put in enormous shifts, led from the front as always by skipper Rob ‘The Hornet’ Taylor. Special mention to Ashton Sione who was outstanding in his appearances in both grades.
In the backs, Luke Cleaver had another excellent game at 9, Sam Valpy continued his good form at 15, and Joel Stocks at 12 showed a real touch of class on his return to the club. It may not have been their best team performance, but at the final whistle, it was mission-accomplished for the Rebels first XV. 33 – 14 and a bonus point win to keep the path to the finals open.
Written by David Phillips
