Rams
The Yass Rams suffered a comprehensive 33-point loss at the hands of RMC at the weekend. Playing away, it was a disappointing turnaround from the team that beat Cooma by a similar margin just seven days prior and it left coaches and supporters scratching their heads and wondering where things went so wrong.
The previously winless RMC tore the Yass defence open in the early stages of the game, scoring three unanswered tries in the opening 20 minutes to leave the visitors dazed, confused and 17 points behind on the scoreboard.
Joe Logue attempted to stop the rot when he scored the Rams opening try of the day. However, it was a temporary reprieve for the Rams as RMC once again left Yass defenders clutching at air as they scored a further three tries to have the game all but wrapped up by half-time.
With a clear message from the coaching staff still ringing in their ears, the Rams started the second half well. Scott Fathing nabbed a try but the result was already a foregone conclusion.
Captain Jordan Wind gave the Rams their third try later in the second half and gave his side a glimmer of hope of salvaging a bonus point from the wreckage for scoring four or more tries. It was not to be as Yass seemed unable to mount any real pressure on RMC.
The home team had the last say, twisting the knife with a final converted try to send the Rams home with plenty to think about at 50 – 17.
While it was a dismal display overall, some players still managed to impress. Prop Wes Leseberg, who was both players’ player and the ‘chicks pick’, Ben Patrick and Jordan Wind played well.
With a competition bye scheduled for this weekend the Rams have an extra week to hit the tackle bags and do some soul searching before travelling to Hall to take on the Bushrangers.
Yass Hoggets
The Yass Rams second grade side sent a strong message to its rivals at the weekend with a three point win over the undefeated competition leaders RMC at Duntroon.
The Hoggets are starting to look like a real threat and built on the momentum of its home ground victory over Cooma the previous week to show the side can win on the road.
Centre Matt Giles opened the scoring with a try in the opening minute to put RMC on the back foot from the start. Luke Donnelly slotted the conversion and Yass held an early 7–0 lead.
RMC responded with a try but the kick went wide and the Hoggets still led. Nathan Smith was the next to cross the RMC line and the Hoggets went to the break with a seven point lead.
The soldiers came out strong in the second and levelled the match at 12-12 with a converted try. Yass responded and, after absorbing pressure, Brent Mackay turned on the pace to cap off a Hoggets raid on the RMC line with a superb try making the score 19-12 after a successful kick. Not long before full time RMC’s fullback strolled the defensive line and it looked as if fatigue would get the better of Yass.
But, with just minutes remaining Yass dug deep and worked the ball back into RMC’s half. Luke Donnelly then lined up for a field goal and sent the ball between the posts to seal a 22-19 win.
Luke Donnelly was players’ player while the ‘chicks pick’ was Josh Paton.
It was strong performance from the Hoggets and the side now has a timed competition bye before the players head to Hall on May 19 for a match against the Hall Bushrangers.
