8th July, 2006
Roos back on track against the Mosquitoes
by Adam Bennett

Still missing a number of key players, the IX Europe Reading Kangaroos were fired up to get their season back on track against a determined Manchester side. After a disappointing last couple of weeks, both on and off the pitch, the boys put in a great performance of controlling footy to get the season back on track.

The Manchester side, despite being new to the league, have been putting in some good results against established teams and would never be a pushover, and registered the first two goals of the game, taking advantage of some slack tackling to slot through from range, using the wind to their advantage. This thankfully served as a wakeup call to the Reading lads and the team swiftly responded, playing short balls quickly up the pitch and switching the score back round to take a 3 goal lead into quarter-time.

The Roos centre was once again proving to be a heavy influence on the game, as Brent, Zac and Ian were once again coming up with the lion's share of the ball and making good use of it, hitting some great leads and grabs up top from Ben and Andy Whits. Playing a new formation, Sam and Tim held wide positions well, offering good support, and opening up the space in the middle of the narrow pitch, to allow the forwards more space to make the play. Joao also had a few runs in the forward line, slotting his usual two behinds.

The back line held strong throughout pretty much the whole game, with only really one piece of sloppy marking allowing a free run and goal for one of the Manchester lads. Tristan's experience really showed through, putting him in the right position time and again, and some great supporting runs out of the back gave him his first goal of the season half way through the third quarter, as the Mosquitoes were drawn over the right by some tight Roos passing.

Mike, Paul and Ads all had strong games, but again had long periods of marking, followed by short spells of action as the Roos centre and front men held the ball up well and hit goals from all positions. Oli and Sam were performing well in the Ruck, winning the majority of the ball, but Sam was unlucky enough to sustain a dislocated shoulder in the third quarter, ending his afternoon, after a promising return to action. The Roos will be hoping this isn't serious and that he'll be back before long. Ross swapped in and out of the centre and back line, crumbing well and providing some good ball forward.

The fourth quarter provided some interesting times. Brent managed to screw a shot wide, unmarked, dead centre of goal about 6 yards wide, which will be remembered for many a long season, before managing to pick up his obligatory once a game injury, getting a split on one brow off a loose elbow in a mark. Ads and Paul continued to concern their team-mates, with frequent charges out of the backline looking for passes, which (wisely!) very rarely went to them. We were just trying to make the forwards run, honest. Madness once again made a foray into the front line and, with the timekeeper desperately trying to make the final hooter work, managed to slot a goal in the dying seconds before flying off Tom Cruise style in ecstatic celebration.

The Squad
Ben, Brent, Ian, Tim, Andy Whits, Zac, Joao, Tristan, Paul, Mike, Ads, Oli, Ross, Sam

Outstanding Performances
Brent, Sam, Andy, Tristan