Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 OT FINAL Monarchs 7 7 0 10 0 24 Pirates 3 3 0 7 0 13
Game Statistics: Monarchs Pirates First Downs 13 14 Third Down Conversions 4 5 Third Downs 14 15 Third Down Percentage 28.6% 33.3% Fourth Down Conversions 1 0 Fourth Downs 1 2 Fourth Down Percentage 100.0% 0.0% Two Pt Conversions Made 0 0 Two Pt Conversions Attempted 0 0 Two Pt Conversion Percentage 0.0% 0.0% Offense Redzone Num 3 1 Offense Redzone TDs 2 0 Offense Redzone FGs 1 1 Offense Redzone Percentage 100.0% 100.0% Rushing Attempts 35 18 Rushing Yards 137 76 Rushing Average 3.9 4.2 Rushing TDs 0 0 Passing Yards 155 248 Passing Completions 14 23 Passing Attempts 28 42 Completion Percentage 50.0% 54.8% Passing Average 5.5 5.9 Passing TDs 3 1 Offensive Pass Interceptions 1 1 TOTAL OFFENSE 292 324 Defensive Pass Interceptions 1 1 Punt Return Yards 5 15 Kick Return Yards 56 103 Punts 7 5 Punt Avg 44.4 50.2 Fumbles 2 2 Fumbles Lost 0 1 Penalties 4 6 Penalty Yds 35 45 Turnovers 1 2 TIME OF POSSESSION 33:31 26:29
Match Report;
Courageous Monarchs overcome injury and Auckland to win 24-13 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Auckland,NZ- An injury toll the likes that has never been seen before in the National Super league could not stop a resurgent Melbourne Monarchs from winning on the road against the Auckland Pirates 24-13.
The Monarchs lost no less than 6 players during the game including Quarterback Hayden Napoletano who suffered a neck injury after being sacked. You cannot put down how good that was in words said Coach Steve Ella after the game. These boys have been through hell and back this season and today was another demonstration that nothing will get in their way.
Auckland looked like being worth opponents today. They opened up with a handy drive that challenged Melbourne with edge runs and aggressive passing. But the Monarchs were stout when in mattered in the red Zone and gave up only a field goal. The reply was swift and enough to be the difference in the game. Brad Pill is enjoying a resurgence in his career at the Monarchs. His speed in the slot is proving a handful and he scored twice on the next two possessions to shell shock the home side and give Melbourne a 14-3 lead. "This is the best team I have been involved with an that includes the Championship Sydney team" said Pill. "You can't focus on any individual because someone else will step up and burn you". Whilst Pill was getting attention, Tyrone Redman was busting open a solid rushing performance. He needed to be at his best as the roll Melbourne were on started to faulty when Napoletano left the game. Matt Ryan is the normal starter but an elbow sprain saw him left out of the starting side. But Coach Ella called his number over Matty Poching for his experience and he was able to steer the ship around just enough to get them home.
Redman was on the end of an 11 yard swing pass from Ryan to increase the lead to 21-6 and that was always going to be difficult for Auckland to overcome. The Pirates best chance to get back in the game came late in the third when Ryan struggling to get the ball down the field threw up a pick to Kareen Jackson. But Ryan showed why Melbourne are so good and he raced back to not only tackle Jackson but strip him off the ball and regain possession. A bad play turned brilliant.
Austin Collie excited the home fnas once again with an 84 yard reception that kept the contest interesting but Melbourne shut the game down with a long final drive that ended with Scott Lawrence kicking a field goal with just 35 seconds left.