Onkas keep fighting in tough battle
The A grade were put to the test against last year’s undefeated minor premiers and fought to the final whistle in a game that could have gone either way.
The boys started with the physicality that they have been training. With a great take by Ryan Evans from the kick-off, Onkas crashed the ball forward eventually drawing a couple of penalties that pushed Old Collegians back deep into their half. A rare mistake at the line-out by Onkas gave Colls the chance to push forward and despite some great defensive lines from Onkas, Old Colls finally managed to break through for the first points of the game just after the 6-minute mark.
Onkas 0 – Old Colls 7
Onkas hit back hard at the kick-off, forcing Old Colls to lose the ball over the side-line. After another great lineout, Onkas crashed the ball forward, breaking the defensive line before drawing a penalty right in front of goal. Dusty Loffler slotted the penalty.
Onkas 3 – Old Colls 7
Some great pressure by the Onkas forwards drew a penalty a few hits after the kick-off but the ball was turned over from a knock on in the lineout. Onkas defended strongly with some big tackles, eventually drawing a penalty for Old Colls holding on.
The game seesawed back and forth for the next 10 minutes, with Onkas defence holding strong and drawing multiple turnovers and penalties from the Colls attackers. Onkas played territory, kicking the ball long and forcing Old Colls backwards. An Old Colls penalty gave the visitors a chance to advance and the Onkas defence held until a number of Old Colls phases drew Onkas in and Old Colls managed to break the line on the far side wing in the 21st minute.
Onkas 3 – Old Colls14
For the next ten minutes, Old Colls continued to pepper the Onkas defensive line, but Onkas held and eventually a dead-ball kick by Old Colls led to an Onkas scrum. A long kick was knocked on by the Colls defender, and a strong Onkas scrum put the Red Devils back into attack. The rest of the half was back-and-forth with the defence for both sides holding out.
HALF TIME: Onkas 3 - Old Colls 14
Onkas started the second half, hard chasing down the Old Colls kick receiver and crashing into the defensive line with some big hits. Just before the second minute of the half ticked over, an Onkas maul crashed over the line with Jack Robins scoring the try and Dusty Loffler converting.
Onkas 10 – Old Colls 14
A fight broke out from the kick-off after Ryan Evans was taken out in the air by the Old Colls defender, leading to a yellow card for the Collegians player. The penalty put Onkas back on the offensive and a defensive penalty by Colls allowed Dusty Loffler to slot another 3 points from the 40m line.
Onkas 13 – Old Colls 14
Onkas continued hit hard against a shocked Old Colls team using a series of penalties to push deep into attack. A missed catch from Colls and a kick through looked promising for Onkas but trickled over the line before it could be recovered, and a break by Troy Wilkins was called back from an earlier offside. Despite some strong defence, Old Collegians broke through the Onkas line stretching their lead.
Onkas 13 - Old Colls -21
Old Collegians attacked hard on the restart, but Onkas held them, eventually drawing a penalty and pushing back. But a Collegian runner managed to break a few tackles and scored.
Onkas 13- Old Colls 28
With 10 minutes remaining, the Onka boys kept up the pressure attacking from within the 5m line, drawing multiple penalties and looking to score on the far wing, before the referee called that the ball had gone dead. Old Collegians managed a quick turn-around, breaking down the field for a try.
Onkas 13 – Old Colls 35
Onkas finished strong, never dropping their heads. With three minutes to go, Dusty put a kick deep into attack and Collegians returned it to just outside the 22. Some strong drives from the line out and big hits from the backs pushed Onkas forward, drawing a penalty 5m out. The ball was kicked out and the Onkas lineout led to a good set of hit ups, with Kaedan O’Neill crashing over for the points.
Onkas 20 – Old Colls 35.
Onkas never looked out of the game and their physicality and defensive line work showed some real positives for the start of the season.
Best Player: Marios Theodosi
Onka Women get big win over Old Collegians
With good squad numbers and some great ball work, the Onkas women came away with a 74-14 win, with tries to Ashley John (3), Caitlin Purton (2), Jade Pilkington (2), Danielle Paenga (1), Caity Williams (1), Leah Chothia (1), Grace Fitzsimmons (1) and Cheyenne Chilton (1) and conversions to Ashley John (7).
Best Player: Caity Williams. Voucher: Danielle Paenga
Onkas Reserves have a rough day
The depleted Reserves fought hard but ultimately went down 57-5 with a try to Dylan Mostyn.
Best Player: Taylor Marangavis
Onka Third Grade defeat Old Collegians
Onkas Third Grade started the season well with a solid 24-14 win over Old Collegians. Tries to Ben White (2), Noel Taylor and Nicholas O’Brien and conversions to Noel Taylor (2).
Best Player: Ben White. Voucher: Tom Puplett