NORTHERN Hotel Byron Bay Rams came away from the Rec Grounds with mixed results on Sunday, with the top-of-the-table Reserves claiming a crushing victory and the Prems suffering a frustrating defeat.
The Rams Reserves put on another big-scoring display of fast and fluid football, completely overwhelming the Lismore Workers second string and going into the break with a thumping 9-0 lead.
The Workers boys rallied valiantly in the second half and held the very relaxed Rams at bay until the final moments when young Ram, Ronan Karup, took a very comfortable first goal.
Will Ennis added yet another hat-trick to his personal tally and new recruit Damien Casiro came off the bench to add another three.
Individual goals to Tomas Muniz, Benny Ahern and Ronan Karup filled out 10-0 the score sheet.
Despite the absence of key players Shaun Packham, Herick Shuenemann and Aaron Walker, the Rams Premier team went into their match firm favourites.
Byron’s total dominance of the reserves seemed to have rattled the Workers Prems and the Rams controlled the early play.
But a woeful defensive lapse early in the first half quickly changed the balance of play.
A series of awkward errors saw possession change hands several times in front of the Byron goal before Workers found the net.
The Redmen celebrated the goal like Iceland and defended their unexpected lead with heroic resolve.
A very solid red line kept play locked up in the midfield for much of the match, with the best efforts of Tyson Kaye and the Byron attack thwarted by rock solid Workers defence.
Not content with simply holding the line, Workers launched some dangerous counter attacks that forced some outstanding saves from 17-year-old Rams’ keeper, Griffin Bambach.
Epic midfield performances from Quinn McDonald, Lachie Dewar, James Tomlinson and George Martin created plenty of opportunities for Byron.
It was to no avail with the stoic Workers defence repeatedly shutting them down and the Redmen held on to take a tough 1-0 win and three valuable points.
The win secures a top five spot for Workers while the Rams share second spot with Rovers, four points behind Goonellabah.
This week, Rams are at home again on Sunday, hosting Casino at the Rec Grounds.
Reserves kick off at 12.30 and the Prems at 2.30.
Source article: