Shamrocks 2nd Grade 27 – Home Team 5

Woonoona Shamrocks 2nd Grade delivered an outstanding away performance, securing a comprehensive 27-5 victory behind a spectacular four-try haul from Ben Ridgway and solid contributions across the park.

Ben Ridgway had a great day with his teammates, crossing for four tries and adding one conversion to contribute 22 points to his team’s victory. His performance demonstrated the clinical finishing and game awareness that has made him such a valuable asset to the 2nd Grade squad this season.

The match began with the home team managing to cross first through Ofa Mahe, but Latrell Kore’s missed conversion would prove costly as it left the door open for Shamrocks to build momentum. The visitors responded immediately through Ridgway’s first try, which he converted himself to give Shamrocks a 7-5 lead they would never relinquish.

Ben’s second try extended the advantage before halftime, showcasing his ability to find gaps in the defensive line. His third and fourth tries in the second half put the result beyond doubt, with each score demonstrating different aspects of his game – from powerful close-range finishes to pace on the outside.

Oliver Alexander capped off the scoring with a well-taken try that highlighted the team’s depth and ability to spread the scoring load. His effort came after excellent build-up play from the forwards and demonstrated the clinical edge that separated Shamrocks from their opponents on the day.

The match featured numerous tactical substitutions from both sides, with Shamrocks managing their squad rotation effectively. Harry Linden made way for Hagen Degarnham in a tactical switch that added fresh energy to the backline, while the forward exchanges saw quality players making valuable contributions off the bench.

The home team’s discipline let them down at crucial moments, with Otoota Fotu receiving a yellow card for foul play that disrupted their rhythm and allowed Shamrocks to capitalize on the numerical advantage. Playing with 14 men for a significant period made their task even more challenging against a Shamrocks side that was already in control.

Shamrocks’ forward pack provided the platform for victory, with strong set-piece work and ball retention allowing the backs to exploit the space created. The team’s ability to maintain possession and build pressure phases was evident throughout the match.

This away victory represents another step forward for Shamrocks 2nd Grade, who continue to build confidence and cohesion as the season progresses. The player’s individual performances, combined with the team’s overall structure and discipline, suggests this squad has the potential to achieve great things this year.

The coaching staff will be particularly pleased with the way the team maintained their intensity for the full 80 minutes and the clinical nature of their finishing when opportunities arose. The bravery and willingness to take on much bigger opponents continues to be a feature of this team’s performance, and this tackling determination has kept this team in contention when the line-ups would suggest otherwise.