Umina defeats Toukley

The Umina first grade rugby league game against Toukley resulted in a 19-18 win to the Bunnies on August 15.

"Having lost numerous close games during the season, it was a pleasure to finally escape with one," club president Mr Ian Sonter said.

"All as one they stood together in defence, repeatedly frustrating the Toukley attack over the whole the field while playing an open brand of football unseen for a while, that resulted in Rhys Ryan, Scott Haydon and Daniel Payne crossing the try line.

"With scores locked at 18-all and eight minutes remaining, Dan Slattery positioned himself to the side of the upright to snap the winning field goal.

"Once again camaraderie came to the fore and the Bunnies denied the Hawks any possibility of stealing the match in the final minutes.

"The experience gained by our young local juniors in their first year of first grade football under the tutelage of coach Marc Matthews can only stand them in good stead for 2011."

Mr Sonter said Umina's second grade side were not so lucky with the game "stolen from under its noses" in a 36-30 loss against Toukley.

"Try as they might the Bunnies could not shake the Hawks off their tail, with end to end ball movement seeing points posted regularly," Mr Sonter said.

"Bookends Steve Campagna and Jason Williams did the hard yards all day closely followed by Nathan Shanks who never gives anything but 100 per cent.

"Meanwhile the Umina open grade side found out what semi-final football was about as they took on fellow top five aspirants in the Toukley Hawks.

"Things did not augur well when five eighth Daniel Norton was taken from the field early in the match due to injury.

"As the reshuffled team were regaining momentum, the Hawks scored two tries to set up what eventually turned out to be the winning margin of 12 points with the Bunnies going down 24-12.

"Play of the day belonged to second rower Steve Little whose dogged determination saw him chase down an intercept by an opposing centre and his support to deny a 90 metre try to the Hawks."

Newsletter, 20 Aug 2010 Ian Sonter, Umina Beach RLFC