The Milton Platypi mens team made it three in row on Saturday, downing a dogged Braidwood Redbacks 12-0.
All twelve points were scored in the first 7 minutes with the local team showing they can start well and defend a lead. Coach Peter Smith was forced into a late reshuffle with Ryan Marchello a late scratching at inside centre.
Ryan Gough moved in one to inside centre and Mitchell Rixon showed his versatility by playing at outside centre as well as fullback and winger throughout the game.
A switched on and fired up Platypi looked the goods at the warm up and they burst out of the gates from the opening whistle.
The biggest crowd of the season were warmed up by the ladies team, downing Batemans Bay 22-10.
A strong sou'wester started the game but shifted to a more steady sou'easterly as the game progressed.
From the kick off Adam Hardy went long and from the clearance the Platypi had an attacking line out on the 22 metre line.
Matt Beauchamp's line out throwing has been a standout this season and he once again hit Liam MacNamee at full extension.
Liam lobbed the ball back down to a looping Matt B who dummied as the Redback loose forwards scurried forward to shut down the Milton fly half but in doing so opened a nice space into which Matt galloped at full pace.
He gave a good short ball to a straightening Adam Hardy who shrugged off two defenders and linked superbly with a flying Mitch Rixon to score in the left corner in front of a parochial home crowd. Mitchell Gough converted to be up 7-0 in a blink of an eye.
From the ensuing kick off the Platypi forwards rucked, mauled and pick and drived their way out of trouble.
Yoshi Yamamoto winds up in about 5 metres and heaven help any tackler with a suspect technique they usually end up with the trainer standing over them squirting water onto their face.
His impact, especially from kick returns, in getting over the advantage line, puts the Platypi on the offensive front foot.
From the ensuing scrum set piece Hardy let loose Mitch Rixon with a nice cut out pass.
Rixon made good metres before the clean out arrived.
Liam MacNamee sniped the blindside, drew two then flicked a perfect ball out the back hand for Mitch Maddison resting his shoulder on the right wing to wrestle over in the corner.
With the conversion unsuccesful the Platypi were 12-0 up after only 7 minutes.
The game then turned into the traditional South Coast arm wrestle with both packs trying to get the upper hand.
The front row of Danny Beauchamp, Nigel Milford and Darren Latham showed up the more experienced Redbacks pack on more than one occasion.
After four years we finally have a scrum which can mix it with the best and it is no coincidence that the wins have followed.
With the Hulbert twins locking in and a back three of M Beauchamp, Paul MacNamee and Yoshi Yamomoto the pack has both grunt and speed to the breakdown.
With reliable first phase ball our halfback has been able to clear and Adam Hardy has been able to start calling plays with more confidence and accuracy.
The Milton defensive line stayed solid and for the next 60 minutes both teams played to their strengths.
The Redback's five eighth got sick of being shirt fronted by A Hardy and kicked accurately and judiciously finding space almost every time.
Mitch Gough was run ragged and copped a head knock before half time.
Milton relied more and more on their defence as their kick and chase game deteriorated.
There are two facts to consider here our defence has and will win matches, but it saps our energy and blunts our attack.
Good examples were when Liam MacNamee broke free from the ruck base only to find little support in open space or when a few overlaps were spoiled by poor last pass execution when a try seemed inevitable.
Solutions are not simple but will involve better conditioning as well as an attacking and defensive kicking game.
It will be the last piece in the puzzle skill set and will turn this team into one to be feared come finals time.
Peter Ryan, from the Batemans Bay Boars, said on ABC local radio on Monday, "The Milton Club has turned it around this year and has now won three in a row with a good victory over Braidwood who had beaten Narooma 53-0 just last week."
Comments from the spectators at last Saturday's match were that both visiting teams Bay womens and Braidwood mens looked like they had both turned up expecting an easy victory. Sorry to disappoint.
Hit of the match goes to Darren Latham with yet another barn storming effort on the talented Braidwood fullback.
The Redback custodian recovered sufficiently to almost score mid way through the second
half only to be thwarted by a wobbly M Gough as his foot slipped into touch.
Reece Marchello played with good controlled aggression making several try saving tackles and creating space in attack.
Despite minimal time in possession the Platypi continued their best in competition defensive effort keeping a team that scored 8 tries last week against Narooma scoreless.
The Redbacks were sent back up the Kings Highway with their shiny red abdomens firmly between their legs.
Ted's Meaty Man of the Match award went to Liam MacNamee for another standout performance [this time at halfback], Nigel Milford got two for a fearless and almost perfect hookers game and Yoshi Yamomoto took 1 point for another dominant Kefu like performance. Thanks for Teds Butchery's support of a meaty gift voucher for the player's man of the match at all home games.
The Platypi sharpen their little spurs and shine their leathery beaks before taking the road south to Narooma to take on the Whales this Saturday the 23 of May. If you feel like a road trip games starts at 3pm with a convivial evening at the pub planned for afterwards.
In other results: Bermagui Cobargo upset competition leaders Batemans Bay 20-19 and Broulee beat Narooma 26 to 12.
The ladder has Batemans Bay in the lead then Bombala, Milton, Bermagui/Cobargo then Narooma and Braidwood and then Broulee taking up the spoon.
Interested readers can access scores and table results at: www.sczone.rugbynet.com.au/defaul t.asp?id=145126
Interested players are asked to turn up at training at Frogs Holla on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at 6.30pm. Free pizza Thursday happens every time we have more than 15 players training.
One of our sponsors Dominos delivers hot pizzas at the pub after training. The committee courtesy of our major sponsor BMD Constructions has waived all registration, zone and
insurance fees for the 2009 season.
The crowds and hype are building.
Come down and be a part of the Milton Rugby rebirth.
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