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Fifth-placed Kalamunda are poised to break back into the top four if they can account for premiers Cottesloe at Harvey Field in Saturday’s RugbyWA club competition match of the round, sponsored by KWIK Transport and Crane Hire.
Kalamunda are just two points adrift of fourth-placed Palmyra, although they looked anything but finalist material a few weeks ago, struggling to beat eighth-placed University and then losing a vital game against sixth-placed Wanneroo at Kingsway 20-10.
The loss had Bulls coach Paul King tearing out what little remains of his hair.
“We couldn’t have bought a try,” King said.
“It's about the second or third week in a row where we just dropped everything. We're creating opportunities but the ball gets turned over or we just drop it cold.”
That all changed with last week’s emphatic 37-17 win over Palmyra at Hartfield.
“We made a few changes, and it seemed to fall into place for us,” King said.
“The boys were hurting as much as I was after the Wanneroo game, and they responded. They really took it to heart.
“We gave a couple of guys a chance and they grabbed it with both hands.
“Our forwards went well and set a good platform and we capitalised on that.
“The boys eliminated most of the errors and that was a major factor.
It’s not a hard game, rugby. Cut out the mistakes and you’ve got a pretty good chance.”
All that stands in Kalamunda’s path to the finals now is reigning premiers Cottesloe, who are having problems of their own.
The Seagulls lost to Soaks in round seven, drew with Palmyra in round nine and squeaked home by one point 18-17 against University two weeks ago. The Seagulls' defence has leaked worryingly large scores against some of the competition's lower sides and that could be a problem against a talented attacking side like Kalamunda.
Cottesloe did account for second-placed Nedlands last week 26-19 at Sir Charles Court Reserve, but Neddies have been below standard for some weeks also and the result may lull the Seagulls into a false sense of security against a fired-up Bulls team.
King hopes to field a full strength team despite a bout of flu decimating the ranks at Tuesday night training.
“Cottesloe this week, they’re a different kettle of fish,” King said.
“They are top of the table and they deserve to be there.”
When Kalamunda and Cottesloe met in round six at Hartfield, the Seagulls won by a close 16-12.
“Last time we played them we scored two tries to one and their kicker, Dave Cloete, was the difference on the day,” King said.
“We’ve been working hard the last few weeks not to give away penalties in kicking range.”
By Rick Boyd | RugbyWA
Looking foward to this battle , Anyone know anything about kalamundas new young 5/ 8fullback my friends at paly reckon hes the goods and could even be force material looking foward to him facing off with davey clote too see how good he really is.
A few close ones in the premier comp this week...
Rockingham 19 v Wests Subiaco 39
UWA 25 v Nedlands 26
Palmyra 39 v Perth Bayswater 38
Associates 24 v Wanneroo 3
Cottesloe 15 v Kalamunda 15
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
nedlands were down 25-3 shortly after halftime,to snatch victory 26-25
Uni missed a penalty on full time
Yeah watched the game , wonderd how you hill billys got a player like that to go to your club a perfect replacement for dion berryman i guess , if you guys make the finals you blokes will be bloody hard to stop , that is if you got a goal kicker somewhere in club