THE Leeton Phantoms are now vying for a coveted spot in the grand finals this weekend after being defeated by the Albury Steamers on Saturday, 48-17.
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The game was hosted by the Steamers and started well for the Phantoms. At half-time the Leeton team was a mere two points behind Albury.
Co-coach Liam Ward said it was ill-discipline that cost the Phantoms the game.
“We didn’t retain possession,” he said. “A lot of passes went to ground and when this happens Albury picks up the ball and just runs with it.
“We started to hemorrhage and when you hemorrhage against a team like that (Albury), you hemorrhage badly.
“It's hard to keep going when you know the game is lost.
“But it’s not world domination, it’s football.
“Still, we are one of the only teams to defeat Albury this season.”
The Phantoms pride themselves on defence and let themselves down in this aspect of the game against Albury, according to Ward.
Three of Leeton’s players were sin-binned leaving the Leeton team to take on the Steamers with 12 men on the field.
Marika Vunibaka and Dan Patu both received an ominous yellow card and second-rower Joe Kafoa-Pene received his third yellow card.
Kafoa-Pene will now be unable to play this weekend meaning the first-grade team will need to be re-structured in order to replace the second-rower and line-out jumper.
Ward said this will have a flow on effect to second grade and two players will need to be taken out of reserves to fill the now vacant spots in first-grade.
“When you loose these three blokes it de-powers the whole scrum,” Ward said.
“Now it’s time to get people’s minds back on the game.”
Tries for the Phantoms were scored by Tino Simeti, James Moore and Brandon Emerson. Stuart Dyer made one conversion.
Ward said that hooker Timothy Rolls was outstanding for the team.
This Saturday No. 1 Oval will become a fortress for the Phantoms as they take on rivals, the Wagga Waratahs.
“We have never lost a game here (in Leeton),” Ward said. “All efforts will go into winning this Saturday.
“We have a lot to play for this weekend with two grades playing. It’s the business end of the season, so we will start at 100 miles per-hour and do that for the duration of the game.”
Results:
2nd Grade: Phantoms 22 d Tumut 19.
Tries scored by Tim Clark, Luke Talakuli and Peter Volau. Two conversions by Brendan Corney. One penalty goal by John Hill.