LAST SATURDAY, May 27, saw a home-game clash between The Gentlemen of Murwillumbah ‘Bananas’ and Kyogle Cockatoos.
Both teams were looking for redemption when they clashed in the early hours of Saturday afternoon, having both suffered heavy losses the week prior.
The Bananas moral was very much boosted by the return of veteran second rower Daniel Raye as their forwards matched the size of Kyogle early on in the encounter.
The Bananas scored first points just minutes in to the game with a try to prop Matthew Hughes, followed soon after by another try to center Morgan Buchanan.
The first half was a one-sided affair as the Bananas held Kyogle scoreless with their defence holding solid but discipline poor as they gave away several penalties for offside.
Winger Isaac Pollack scored the last try of the first half out wide with safe hands cleaning up a rather difficult pass.
The second half was a difficult and scrappy period as both teams gave more than their fair share of penalties away, and neither side were able to capitalise on their advantage where there were points to be had.
Bananas however managed to keep the pressure on the Kyogle Cockatoos as scrum-half Matthew Folkers took on the line himself early in the second half to score out wide in front of the club house.
Winger Joshua Harman converted the try and shortly after cross the line to collect the Bananas last try of the game, running 50 meters after a magnificent pop pass by Fullback, and player of the match, Will Warren.
The Kyogle Cockatoos managed to fight their way out of a tight situation moving the ball around the park, drawing in the bananas defence to score out wide in the dying minutes of the game. Bananas took the win 27-5.
Best on field for the Gentlemen of Murwillumbah ‘ Bananas’ were, Front rower Timothy Berry who was a wrecking ball in attack close to the line.
Fullback Will Warren took command of the backs and ran the Kyogle forwards around the park time and time again, and Front rower Matthew Hughes who also caused much havoc up front. The Gentlemen have several weeks of away games starting this week when they travel away to Yamba to play a revitalised and much stronger Yamba Buccaneers, who have recently beaten last year’s premiers Iluka.
The Bananas are ready for a very close game far from home, and look to overcome Yamba for a second time this season.