Pirates hang on to win see-saw battle

 Pirates
Nov 132014
 

It was too close for comfort, but after a see-saw battle the West Sydney Pirates put away the Sutherland Seahawks 34-30 to grab the vital premiership points.

The win means the Pirates are in third place on the ladder of the NSW Gridiron division one competition.

It was their ninth win of 2014 and with the business end of the season looming it came at a vital time.

This was always going to be a hard game for the Pirates. Not just the fact the team was light on numbers but also because the Sutherland Seahawks 2014 model has been one of the best in recent times.

Coming into this game, Pirates were 8-1 and Seahawks 6-3. Pirates started with the ball first but didn’t do anything with the opportunity.

Then Seahawks turned with a short field due to a bad Pirate punt. They didn’t do much more and Pirates took over on their own 22 yard line after a penalty on first down.

Again the Pirates’ offence didn’t get a first down and was forced to punt.

Some good defence followed as both teams traded punts. Then the scoring started with an 82 yard touchdown catch by Jason Ram and it was 6-0 to the Pirates.

The Seahawks answer back with a drive and touchdown of their own and a 2 point conversion to take the lead 8-6. And the see-saw battle had commenced.

Pirates had a solid 83 yard drive that resulted in a Todd Russell touchdown catch. The scoreline now read 12-8 in favour of the Pirates, but the Seahawks answered right back with a touchdown and a 2 point conversion to take the lead at 12-16.

Pirates again mustered a long drive that ended in Jason Ram’s second touchdown of the game with Raneen Shamoon getting the 2 points and putting the Pirates back in the lead, 20-16.

Seahawks started driving again but perhaps a key play of the game was a Chris Snagg interception deep in the Pirates’ own half to snuff out that chance for the Seahawks.

New addition to the Pirate family

 Club
Sep 222014
 

Congratulations to former player and committee member, Aaron Goth and his wife Lauren, on the birth of their first child today.

The baby boy, named Jordan Andrew Goth, was born at 4.17pm this afternoon and weighed in at 3.59kgs. Mother and baby are both fine and resting.

Our congratulations and best wishes go to the entire Goth family.

West Sydney Gridrion Presentation Luncheon 2014

 Club, Pirates
Aug 182014
 
PresentationLunch

The West Sydney Gridiron Club held their annual Presentation Luncheon yesterday with awards presented for the 2013 Pirates and 2014 Trojans teams.

 

 

 

 

Award winners were –

2013 Pirates’ Rookie of the Year – Peter Hoang
2014 Trojans’ Rookie of the Year – Jason Ielua

2013 Pirates’ Most Improved Player – Justice Kantanka
2014 Trojans’ Most improved Player – Jaidyn Williams

2013 Pirates’ Lineman of the Year – Shannon Lynch
2014 Trojans’ Lineman of the Year – Mark Ielua

2013 Pirates’ Players’ Player – Ash Best
2014 Trojans’ Players’ Player – Myles Jones

2013 Pirates’ Pirates – Greg Evers
2014 Trojans’ Trojans – Sherree McDonough

2013 Pirates’ MVP Offense – Marlou Tacugue
2014 Trojans’ MVP Offense – Kris Gacuma

2013 Pirates’ MVP Defense – Shannon Lynch
2014 Trojans’ MVP Defense – Jarrad Clarke

2013 Pirates’ Overall MVP – Marlou Tacugue
2014 Trojans’ Overall MVP – Jarrad Clarke

We congratulate the winners on their outstanding achievements.

Additionally, on the same day the Pirates’ 2014 Team Captains were announced. They are…

On Offense –
Quarterback – David Ward
Receiver – Greg Evers
Running Back – Marlou Tacugue

On Defense –
Lineman – Shannon Lynch
Defensive Back – Chris Snagg
Defensive Back – Glenn Beardmore

We congratulate these players on their selection and we look forward to a great 2014 season!

Congratulations – a baby girl!

 Club
Jun 272014
 

Congratulations to Pirate player, Greg Evers and his wife Jess, on the birth of their fourth child today.

The baby girl, named Quilla Dawn, is the couple’s third daughter and she was born at 4.28pm this afternoon and weighed in at 5.24kgs. Mother and baby are both fine and resting.

Our congratulations and best wishes go to the entire Evers family.

2014 Colt’s Season – Championship

 Trojans
Jun 162014
 

The Trojans went down emphatically to the Sutherland Seahawks in the 2014 Colt’s Championship game by a score of 48-0. The Trojans were out played in all facets of the game. Perhaps it was the big game nerves for the young squad or it just wasn’t their night, either way it will be a great experience for the team.

The 2014 season was a successful one despite losing the big game. The team had a big turnover of senior players from the successful 2013 season and therefore had a large number of rookies to get up to speed. The season reflects this with a slow start but a strong finish to the 2014 season. New coaches were brought on-board with great success and new roles were taken on by current coaches. If the Trojans can keep the majority of the players from 2014 with a smaller sum of graduating players, 2015 should be another successful season.

The West Sydney Gridiron club would like to thank the coaching staff for 2014, David Ward, Antonio Piscioneri, Jean-Pierre Le Cordier, Hany Georgy, Sean Smith and Marlou Tacugue. The club had great help behind the scenes from parents and family and would like to thank Ron McDonough, Joseph Vitagliano, Peter Goddard, Sherree McDonough and Cassie McDonough.

2014 Colt’s Season – Playoffs

 Trojans
Jun 022014
 

The Sydney University Cubs knocked the West Sydney Trojans out of the playoffs 12 months ago. Since then, a lot of veteran players moved on from the Trojans and a new group of young rookies came on board. As a result the 2014 season started slow for the Trojans as the new players learnt a new sport. During the season, the Cubs and Trojans played twice and the Cubs won both times. The Trojans improved as the season went on and started to hit their best late in the season. Now, the stage was set for a playoff rematch at 5 Sports with a perfect night for football and two teams fighting for a chance to have a shot at the Seahawks for the GNSW Colts State Championship.

The Cubs won the toss and deferred, so Trojans had first chance with the ball. Trojans quickly got into the redzone but the Cubs held them to a 4th and goal from the 1. Jason Ielua was not to be denied and banged it in against some tough defence. Extra point good, 7-0.

The Cubs were putting together a nice drive deep into Trojans’ territory but a tipped pass was snatched out of the air by Adam Goddard and returned just shy of mid-field. Trojans take over. Jason Ielua was able to score from 22 yards out with a key block by Mario Romero. Extra point blocked 13-0.

Trojans defence has been a strong backbone for the team all year and they proved this again preventing the Cubs from getting a first down. Trojans take over at the Cubs 40 after a bad Cubs’ punt and Jason Ielua didn’t waste time, taking a simple run up the middle all the way for the score. Two point no good, 19-0.

The Cubs got another drive going down to a 1st and goal. But the Trojans defence put the clamps on and held for 4 downs with some great plays from Jarrad Clarke, Jamie Goddard and Chris Cochbain. Trojans take over at their own 2 yard line. Two plays later and they are at mid-field with plays by Michael Head and then Jarrad Clarke. Next, the two combined together for a long pass to put another touchdown on the board for the Trojans. Two point attempt no good taking the score to 25-0. The half ended on the two play. The challenge now for the Trojans is to maintain focus on the game and to play for the win in the second half rather than celebrate too early.

Cubs started with the ball. A potentially big pass play for the Cubs was broken up by a brilliant play by Jamie Goddard but Jamie could only stop so much and the next play the Cubs complete a big pass play up their sideline to the Trojans 19 yard line. Some good swarming defence from the Trojans slowed down the drive but the Cubs still managed to score to get their first points. Nathan Reeves breaks up the two point play. 25-6.

Trojans were not to be out done and came back with a drive of their own on a short field due to a short kick attempt by the Cubs that went out of bounds. Jarrad Clarke hauled in a long pass up the sideline to take the score to 31-6. On the ensuing drive, the Cubs tested Jamie Goddard again on a long pass and this time he did more than break the play up but instead grabbed himself an interception. The Cubs forced the Trojans to punt for the first time. They needed this to have any chance to get back in this game. The Cubs did what they needed to, and got the ball in the endzone off a convincing drive. Score now 31-14.

The Trojans needed to get a drive going to put a halt to this potential comeback. And the Trojans’s offence did, this time striking from mid-field by a Jason Ielua scamper. Score now 37-14 which was the final score.

This win puts the Trojans in the playoffs for the first time since 2005 where they faced none other than the Sutherland Seahawks. That season the Trojans were undefeated for the season but lost to the Seahawks by 1 point in the championship game. I am sure there are many fans out there that hope that the underdog wins again this time. The Trojans have their work cut out for them though to beat the Seahawks who have been a cut above the rest for the season. Game will be at 5 Sports with a 6pm kickoff on the 7th of June.

2014 Colt’s Season – Week 12

 Trojans
May 282014
 

The Seahawks and Trojans have had a long history of playing high stake games including 2 championship bouts split evenly. This would not be one of them as the result of this game would not change the final standings. But there was still plenty of rivalry with a battle of pride and bragging rights.

The night was perfect football weather at 5 Sports. The Seahawks started with the ball and didn’t take long, 3 plays in fact, to get into the endzone. The Trojan’s defence was missing some star players and it showed on this first drive. Seahawks got the two points making the score 8-0 quickly.

The Trojans’ offence took the field and had one bad play after another with many missed blocks, bad decisions and bad execution. Turnover on downs was the result after a badly handled punt snap. Another 3 play drive for the Seahawks see them make the score 14-0. Lack of understanding and effort on the next kick return would see Kris Gacuma trapped deep in Trojans’ territory.

The ensuing Trojans’ drive was an impressive one, getting down to the Seahawks’ 1 yard line where Stephen Meaney cashed in the touchdown behind some good blocking. Extra point was wide right, taking the score to 14-6 in favour of the Seahawks.

On the next Seahawks possession, Siale Langi received a pitch from the Seahawks quarterback and gladly accepted it. The Trojans gave the ball right back by way of an interception that was returned for a touchdown. Score now 22-6. This is how the half ended.

Trojans started the second half with the ball. An impressive, quick drive saw Michael Head crash in from 2 yards out. Michael converted his own touchdown to make the score 22-14. The Seahawks got a good drive going to answer back but it was thwarted by a Jaidyn Williams’ interception.

But like the last takeaway, the ball was given back to the Seahawks on the ensuing drive. The Trojans thought they were so good they could play with only 8 players….for 2 consecutive plays. The results were a touchdown and a two point conversion for the Seahawks. Score now 30-14.

A solid next drive by the Trojans, which included a play by Kris Gacuma where he broke 56 tackles, was what the Trojans needed. The result was a 3 yard touchdown run by Jason Ielua. With the two points good, we have a score of 30-22. A short and impressive Seahawks drive made the score 38-22.

A big kick return by Adam Goddard setup the Trojans offence in Seahawks territory and 2 plays later Jamie Goddard scores on a catch over the middle. Two point conversion good and that rounded out the scoring, Seahawks 38, Trojans 30.

A great second half effort by the Trojans after lackadaisical first half which put them in a bad position. The second half shows what the Trojans can achieve if they choose to focus and work hard. They will need to bring more of that going into the play-offs next week against the Sydney University Cubs. The Trojans lost both games against the Cubs during the regular season and so have their work cut out for them in an effort to advance to the championship game.

2014 Colt’s Season – Week 11

 Trojans
May 202014
 
North Western Predators

Winter is setting in and this night was no exception out at cold Craik Park.

The Trojans had their collective backs against the wall in their fight to stay alive for the playoffs. Their fight shone through as the Trojans quickly got on the board after recovering a Panthers’ fumble on the opening kick-off, scoring on their first offensive snap by way of a Jarrad Clarke run. Extra point good, 7-0 Trojans. The Panthers decided to challenge Jarrad Clarke on their next offensive drive with a long pass and they lost. Jarrad returned the interception 27 yards deep into Panthers territory. Unfortunately the Trojans couldn’t do anything with the possession.

The Panthers got a drive going but the relentless play from linebackers Nathan Reeves and Chris Cochbain put an end to that and got the ball back on a turnover on downs inside Trojans territory. Three plays later and Jarrad Clarke takes a slant 62 yards to pay dirt and with the extra point good, the score was now 14-0.

Trojans’ defence made quick work of the Panthers’ next drive and the Trojans’ offence capitalised on it with a thorough drive capped by an Adam Goddard touchdown run who was aided by excellent blocking by Myles Jones, Ben Vitagliano and Mario Romero. Extra point good so score now 21-0.

After a Chris Cochbain blocked punt, the Trojans didn’t have much field to cover for another score. Three plays later and Nathan Reeves cashed in behind some more great blocking to take the score to 27-0 and ending the half.

The test was now for the Trojans to keep up their intensity for the entire game. On this night, they were up to the challenge as Adam Goddard took the opening kick-off of the second half all the way back for a touchdown. Two point play was good and the score was quickly, 35-0.

Once again, the Trojans’ defence made short work of the Panthers’ offence and got the ball back inside Panthers’ territory on a turnover on downs. On the first play of the next drive, Kris Gacuma scores on a 35 yard reception down the middle. He converts his own touchdown to make the score 42-0.

The Panthers put together an impressive, long drive to earn their first touchdown of the game by way of a run by their quarterback. Making the score now 42-6.

A Michael Head interception saw the Panthers with the ball on the Trojans 2 yard line. One play later and the Panthers get their second touchdown, again on a run by their quarterback. Score is now 42-14.

Credit to the Panthers for attempting an onside kick but it backfired as it went straight to Kris Gacuma who promptly took it back to the Panthers’ 17 yard line. This time the Trojans used their passing game to move the ball with key catches from Jaidyn Williams and Nathan Cornwell. A brilliant heads up play by Michael Head (pardon the pun) resulted in another touchdown for Kris Gacuma. This rounded out the scoring at Trojans 49, Panthers 14.

For the third week in a row, the Trojans showed great fight and focus. They will need all they can find for next weeks clash with the unscathed Sutherland Seahawks.

2014 Colt’s Season – Week 10

 Trojans
May 122014
 

It looks like the constant rain the 2014 season has been hit with is behind us but now winter is coming and Craik Park is perhaps the coldest field we all play on.

The Shark/Grizzlies got off to a good start with their opening drive taking them the length of the field for the score. Trojans answered right back with a long touchdown kick return by Kris Gacuma but a penalty brought the play back. Kris Gacuma got into the endzone again on the 3rd play from scrimmage and this time it counted. Two point play no good, so scores 6-6.

A fumble on the ensuing kick return by Shark/Grizzlies gave the ball back to the Trojans who then scored on the next play by way of the air on a Michael Head to Jarrad Clarke touchdown. Two point no good, so score now 12-6.

Trojans force a punt which resulted in the next offensive play from scrimmage being a Kris Gacuma touchdown run. Two points good. Score now 20-6. An impressive drive from Shark/Grizzlies followed but it was stopped by the Trojans’ defence in their redzone on a 4th down stop. There the score remained for the half.

To start the second half, Kris Gacuma took the kick off all the way up and across the width of the field for a long adventurous touchdown run that saw lots of blocking by all of his team mates on the field to get him in the endzone. Two points good. Score 28-6. Defence made short work of of the next drive and recovered a fumble only a few plays into the drive.

Kris Gacuma was making a habit of scoring on this night and got in the endzone again. This time a 71 yard touchdown one hand reception that he took right up the zipper for the score. Two point was good making the score now 36-6.

Some confusion over the final score, but we can confirm it was 46-12.

For two games in a row the Trojans’ enthusiasm, focus and positive energy on the sideline has been the highest seen all season. A turn around that is great to see and is very needed as the Trojans have more must win games ahead that will need all the focus and enthusiasm they can muster.

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