RUGBY – MACCABI STILL IN TOP 4 AFTER LOSS

AFTER two impressive wins to start off their 2024 Jeffrey Cup Subbies Rugby division 5 campaign, Maccabi Rugby Club travelled to Georges River last Saturday, and had a 20-24 loss. The Maccabi men started the game well offensively and defensively, and were particularly strong in scrums and dominant in lineouts. It was 14-all at half-time, and Maccabi went into the lead early in the second half with two successful penalty goal attempts, but conceded two late tries to lose by four points. Maccabi’s two tries were scored by Daniel Soroka and Greg Diamond, while fly half Chad Bobrow kicked two conversions, and two penalty goals. Reflecting on the match, Maccabi forward Josh “Diesel” Naiman said positives from the close loss included solid defence for most of the 80 minutes and effective execution of set pieces. “We were unlucky to not come away with the win,” he said. “We’d trained hard throughout the week, and I felt we dominated them physically out on the pitch, so it’s a shame we couldn’t get the extra competition points.” The Blues are now in fourth place on the 11-team Jeffrey Cup ladder after three rounds. Maccabi host Burraneer this Saturday from 3.15pm at their new home ground of Burrows Park, Clovelly, which offers spectators both a great view of the rugby action and the sea. Maccabi lock Aaron Stern winning a line-out. SOURCE: AJN