What a great weekend Rams Youth teams had in Bathurst on 1st & 2nd March.  Conditions were not ideal but the teams had fun and played great football.

Our 13s did well to get to the semi finals & our 15s and 17s took out the the title.

Well done to our girls - you represented us well and you should all be proud.

 

Coaches Reports

Under 13s team

Dominating every half of football bar one over five games, Rams Under 13s enjoyed a great weekend in Bathurst.

Our starting game against Southern Branch was a tight affair with not many chances. We had a flowing possessional game despite the heavy rain. Our best chance was in the last minute when Crystal went one on one with the keeper 3 metres from the goal. Unfortunately the ball stopped dead in a huge puddle of water before reaching the goal line.  Final score:  0-0.

In the second game was played against WMariners.  Rams had more chances than our opposition and again dominated, but unfortunately we gave away a silly free kick 25 metres out from our goal. The Mariners’ striker capitalised on the opportunity by smacking the ball into the top corner, giving Erika no chance to save it.  Final score:  0-1. 

The third game saw Rams playing Bankstown City Lions.  Rams started on fire, scoring 3 goals in the first 10 minutes and totally dominating the game.  Congratulations to Alex, who in her second year at Rams, scored her first goal.  Although playing a strong second half, we did concede one goal but we were happy with a great full time result of 4-1.

The fourth game was played against Western Slopes.  Rams found it a little harder early in the game to get into a flowing style due to the heavy field, with much scrambling in the middle of the field.  It wasn’t long though before we realized that using width would open up plenty of scoring opportunities, of which we took full advantage.    Final score: 5-0.

In the semi-final against Sutherland , our first half wasn’t’ the best of the weekend.  Sutherland played better to the heavy conditions and were more hungry than the Rams, and this was reflected in the half time score of 0-2. The second half saw a complete role change where we dominated, putting plenty of pressure on Sutherland’s defence, with Annalise winning a penalty and placing the ball in the top corner. That made the last ten minutes exciting, but we just couldn’t get the equalizer. Final score: 1-2.

This was my second trip to Bathurst with Rams and it is the best way to start a season, especially for the players’ bonding, and for coaches to be able to analyse their players in different positions over a very short period of time.

Thank you to the Committee and Richie for the great weekend.

Sam Alessi ,Coach.

 

Under 15s team 

Last weekend saw the Macarthur Rams continue with their pre-season preparation  by competing in the annual Proctor Cup held in Bathurst. This tournament was seen as a valuable experience for the Rams girls both on and off the park. The girls came away tournament winners defeating Albury 5-1 in the final. The tournament gave us the opportunity to try different players in a variety of positions, we adapted well and this for me is what has and will continue to make us successful as we move forward throughout the season.The girls displayed great character in coming from behind on two occasions in the tournament to take  wins also.

A  fun weekend had by all with  coach's player of the tournament being awarded to  Emma Jackson.

Leah Blayney, Coach

 

Under 17s Team

Rams 17s Thrive on the Challenge of the Proctor Cup

 

With the preseason rapidly coming to a close the Rams 17s girls made their regular trip to Bathurst for the annual Proctor Cup. In the past this trip has been a genuine opportunity to hone combination play, technique and match fitness, this year was to prove no different.

Six games over two days is always a difficult challenge. Throw in a full day of torrential rain, sodden pitches and most determined rivals keen to claim the scalp of the Premier League Rams and the challenge multiplies. To their very great credit the Rams girls were able to resist the challenge of their opposition, and the weather, to emerge 2014 Proctor Cup Champions, one step up from their runners up placing of 2013.

Across the six games the Rams were undefeated scoring eleven goals and not conceding any. Arguably, much more was gained beyond the pleasing results, gains that further prepare the girls for the difficult season ahead. Teamwork, good quality play, strength of character and match fitness were but a few areas that benefitted from the toils of the weekend.

A big thank you goes out to the parents for their persistence in terrible weather, to Technical Director Richie Harrison for his consistently enthusiastic positive feedback and to our trainer Danielle who worked overtime to keep the kids on the park. Well done all!

Rob Hutchinson, Coach