PENALTY problems continue to plague Manning Ratz Lower North Coast Rugby Union premiership push.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The Ratz and Wauchope Thunder share the competition lead, with the Ratz fresh from a sterling 24-21 win over Wallamba last weekend. However, coach Jake Maurirere was again concerned at the penalty count that went against his side by a hefty 25-4. The Ratz were also handed three yellow cards.
Maurirere again reiterated that the majority of penalties aren't because of ill-discipline. It's more a lack of rugby knowledge.
"They're mainly for infringements around the ruck area,'' Maurirere said.
"We've been working on trying to correct that at training.''
Maurirere is concerned that penalties could be costly in big games, particularly if an opposition goal kicker has a good day with the boot.
The Ratz will be at home to Old Bar Clams tomorrow and will be aiming to maintain their stranglehold on the Charlie Crook Cup - a trophy played for by the two clubs.
Maurirere will be looking to rotate a few players.
"We had 28 there last week and we can only go into a game with 25, so three had to miss out,'' he explained.
The Ratz will be without Jake Hazard as he sits out a week of suspension after receiving his third yellow card for the season. Front rower Paul De Szell will be given a week's rest while Clint Walker is unavailable.
End of first round
THE weekend's round of Lower North Coast Rugby Union games mark the end of the first round.
Manning Ratz host Old Bar Clams while Wauchope Thunder meets Barbarian Hogs at Wauchope. Gloucester Cockies and Wallamba Bulls clash at Gloucester.
Four sides will contest the semi-finals to start on Saturday September 19. The final will be played on September 26 and the grand final on Saturday October 3.
