Story Peter Griffin
Bangalow Rebels fell for the oldest trick in sport, going down 15–10 to Casino at Beef Stadium on Saturday. Casino had lost their season opener 107–0 to Wollongbar while the Rebels scrambled to a come-from-behind 32–27 win over the students.
Look at the form guide! What could possibly go wrong?
Casino made a dozen fresh changes to their lineup while injury- and armchair-racked Bangalow used no fewer than five First Grade run-on players in the club’s punishing reserve grade 25–12 loss to Casino.
With match day preparation out the window and a spreading contagion of misplaced confidence, the Rebels were immediately on the back foot in the main game.
Bangalow’s reshuffled backline combination was at sea defensively, having not played or trained together. Casino’s pace and superior energy were too much despite the efforts of Ryan Duffy and Harley Williams.
The Bulls made territory on either sideline at will and were first to the break down against the Rebels’ not particularly fleet-of-foot back row.
Bangalow have little or no tactical kicking game and, despite the honest toil of their forwards, the Rebels could not breach the impenetrable wall of beef.
Only once in the first 40 minutes did Bangalow make their way into the attacking quarter, only to lose their advantage by giving away a penalty with the ball.
Trailing 15–0 at the break, a major reshuffle introduced injured Matt Morgan at 10 while lively fullback Frank Lilomaiava moved to the centres.
The game was changed and the Rebels completely dominated the second stanza. With enough second-half territory and possession to win a month of games, the Rebels scored only two unconverted tries through Tim Mundy and Brad Hill, and were ultimately frustrated by Casino’s superb rearguard.
The Rebels’ momentum was stifled by the sin-binning of Otty Fifita on the hour and a free kick and penalty count that, by the end, read 27–6 to Casino. The Rebels’ backline did look electric at times but could not deliver the decisive play.
At times more adventure was required but mostly it was a case of using the complicated option when the simple option might have won the day.
Morgan’s second-half appearance was a bright spot on a dim afternoon, illuminated only by the performances of captain Tim Mundy, evergreen Neil Moran and the outstanding lock duo Isaac Hill and Jock Craigie.
Young David Wiseman was clearly the best player in second grade and quite possibly the best player in any grade over the weekend.
All teams enjoy a bye next week for the Country Championships.
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