Roosters have first hit-out

The Woy Woy Roosters had their first hit out for the 2017 season on February 18, when the club took two teams to trial against Berkeley Eagles down at Berkeley Sports Ground on the South Coast.

The players coaching staff and committee members with newly appointed 1st Grade ball boy Brae Goddard from the Roosters U8's headed off from Woy Woy Leagues Club at 8:30am.

The full squad of players was unable to attend as many had previous commitments; never the less new coaches Mr Mack Fawcett and Mr Scott Wilesmith were confident of putting on a good display.

The second grade team took to the field but suffered a blow when captain coach Mr Scott Wilesmith suffered a head knock in the first quarter that had him leave the field and not return.

Miguel Acevedo-Moreno from the under-19s was sent into the game earlier than expected and made an impact straight away and continued throughout his time on the field to take on and trouble the Berkeley defence every time he took the ball up.

The Eagles got away with an early lead and ended up winners 16-10 but the Roosters performed well and Mr Wilesmith and the coaching staff were happy with the effort considering the number of players that were unavailable and the number of ball work sessions the team had under their belt.

By the time kick-off for first grade, dark clouds were rolling in from the south.

Like second grade, Mack's boys were slow getting into the game and it took a while for them to settle into a rhythm and make the ball stick.

Their defence was outstanding having to withstand repeats sets of sixes on their own line with the Eagles five eighth and right hand centre targeting Jackson Manuel on the left wing who was more than up to the job and kept them out stopping a couple of tries under the high ball.

When the Roosters had the ball they soon got into stride and with all eyes on new recruit Liam Foran.

Once he had his timing, he started directing his support around the park and troubling the Berkeley defence; pushing them onto their back foot as well as putting a couple of pearlers in from the boot.

The game was cut short due to lightning in the second quarter with the Roosters starting to look dangerous picking up the momentum.

Shortly after the players left the field the weather deteriorated further with hail pounding down, the game was called with Woy Woy ahead 6-0.

Media release, 23 Feb 2017

Tim McParlane, Woy Woy Rugby League Football Club