Maccabi wins opener
MACCABI rugby club’s first grade team got their 2017 Jeffrey Cup season off to the best possible start at their home ground, Lyne Park, last Saturday, thrashing Lane Cove 48-0.
MACCABI rugby club’s first grade team got their 2017 Jeffrey Cup season off to the best possible start at their home ground, Lyne Park, last Saturday, thrashing Lane Cove 48-0.
The flowing, attacking running rugby displayed by the men in blue pleased coach Mike Penistone, but he was more delighted with his team’s strong defence which kept Lane Cove scoreless.
“Defence is all about attitude and enthusiasm, and for the boys to be so far in front towards the end but still determined to keep Lane Cove tryless at full-time – I was very happy with that,” Penistone told The AJN.
“It’s one thing for the players to have developed their fitness and skills during the pre-season, and another to translate that onto the field in a match situation – and I think the boys can take a lot of confidence from doing that today.”
Maccabi scored seven tries and dominated possession and field position from very early on in the game, and Lane Cove had no answers.
Pablo Ferreira opened the scoring after exploiting space down the left side, before George Davis added a second on the back of a strong scrum.
More Maccabi tries followed after the break.
They were also very strong in the scrums department, but will need to improve on their line- outs.
Penistone heaped particular praise on forwards George Davis and Josh Horwitz, for running strongly all game.
The only downside for Maccabi’s top team happened in the first five minutes, when flanker Issi Port – making his first grade debut – suffered a nasty head injury.
Port was unconscious for several minutes and when he came to, he was taken to hospital by ambulance.
“Issi had concussion, so he’ll be out of action for a few matches I’d say – you can’t mess around with head injuries,” Penistone said.
Maccabi’s tries were scored by Pablo Ferreira, George Davis, Simon Molnar, Aaron Stern, Jamie Schey, Sam Horwitz and Ben Ray.
Evan Kassel kicked five out of seven conversions and one penalty goal.
Maccabi 2nds had a solid first round hit-out in the Noice Cup against Lane Cove, going down 24-15.
SHANE DESIATNIK
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