BLACK DAY FOR BULLS' PREMIERSHIP DEFENCE

[RugbyWA]

Perth-Bayswater knocked another hole in Kalamunda’s premiership defence with a bonus point 34-10 win at Hartfield in Sunday’s match of the round in the WA club rugby competitions, sponsored by KWIK Transport and Crane Hire.

The win was built on a near flawless first half of power rugby where Perth-Bayswater totally dominated territory and possession to score three tries and set up a commanding 24-0 lead.

The Bulls bounced back in the second half and gave the Perth-Bayswater defence an energetic workout with spirited attacking rugby, but it was never going to be enough to claw back the margin.

From the kickoff Kalamunda conceded a penalty but after Perth-Bayswater halfback Toby Hohapata steered the kick wide, flyhalf Sam Moon kicked through from the drop out. The Bulls defence was wrong-footed by the ball and Perth-Bayswater wing Nathan Hunt chased hard to score a try in the corner after three minutes.

Then just three minutes later, Moon kicked high from a free kick beyond the 22 and the Kalamunda defence was again flummoxed playing into the sun and Perth-Bayswater blindside flanker Jarrel Te Kahu claimed the bouncing ball for a try closer to the posts. Hohapata converted and Perth-Bayswater raced to a 12-0 lead.

Perth-Bayswater dominated possession and territory with driving forward play and clever positional kicking, and from a scrum after 16 minutes the Perth-Bayswater backs rewarded their forwards with a sublime set move. Moon launched a long out pass that shot fullback Gareth Cossey into the line and delivered a diving pass to wing PJ Pittman for a flying try in the corner. The conversion missed but the visitors led 17-0 with near total control of play.

Perth-Bayswater kept the pressure on as the half progressed, although Kalamunda broke out briefly once or twice. Just before half time a promising Bulls attack cut loose but it was called back for diving over the preceding ruck and again Moon kicked long. Again the Kalamunda defence was found wanting taking the high kick and Hunt cleaned up the loose ball to race clear for the try. Hohapata converted from a handy position and Perth-Bayswater took a stunning 24-0 lead into the break.

Kalamunda gained more territory and possession in the first six minutes of the second spell than they had in the entire first and hammered the visitor's line, but Perth's defence held firm, kicking clear when the Bulls knocked on.

Kalamunda kept working and increasingly dominated possession, finally gaining a try after 16 minutes when openside flanker Ryan Black stole Perth-Bayswater maul ball and raced 25 metres down the blindside to score in the corner.

Perth-Bayswater was forced into a defensive role, making errors and conceding free kicks, as Kalamunda ran repeated phases of attack but struggled to put enough phases together to break through.

With 15 minutes to play Kalamunda conceded a penalty lineout close to their line and the black forwards drove through, prop Joel Laugeson claiming the try to restore the margin at 29-5.

Kalamunda dominated the closing stages as Perth-Bayswater tired, but the visitors had a late chance with a free kick in Kalamunda's 22. However the ball was knocked on and Kalamunda wing Conrad Gillingham snatched it and sprinted 70 metres to score at the other end with minutes to play. Replacement fullback Dion Berryman bounced the conversion attempt off the posts but the Bulls had added a little respectability to the score at 29-12.

The Bulls pressured the visitors with time running out but Perth-Bayswater has the last word with a long kick through, replacement wing Mark Gaskin and lock Brent Murphy combining cleverly for a try in the corner in the last move of the game.

In the boilover of the round, Palmyra heralded a new dawn with an upset 22-14 win over Nedlands at the Foreshore, while Wanneroo increased a debilitated Rockingham’s woes with a 55-13 hiding at Lark Hill.

Associates continued their strong form with an impressive 41-7 defeat of Wests-Subiaco at Allen Park and Cottesloe also made the most of the new season with a useful 34-15 win over University at Harvey Field.

http://rugbywa.com.au/news/article,55541.html

[fulvio sammut]

Yep, thoroughly undeserved win by Palmyra.

The ref was thoroughly biased in their favour, the wind was blowing a gale in whatever direction they were kicking, and the linesmen failed to tell the ref of all the foul play Pally were involved in.

Nedlands had by far the best players, were fairer in all aspects of play, and their supporters were all better class.

The fact that the union allowed Palmyra to win was an absolute traversty.

[RooDog]

Awesome news fulv....but let me tell you Rocky are in trouble in a big way. Forfieting 2nd grade after the coin toss...But there 3rd grade of near on 25 had a good win i believe...then their 1st grade.... I would lovee to know where all there players have gone...saw at least 6 players from last year in the stands...injured? i dunno?

and as for Ecky.... well....yeah... enough said...

But seriously well done on the win!!!

plus also good to see Uni's Moonlighting/Recruitment has done wonders...HAHAHAHAHA

[blueandblack]

...
and as for Ecky.... well....yeah... enough said...
...

except for "what happened?" (for those of me who dont know)?

[jargan83]

except for "what happened?" (for those of me who dont know)?

get down and watch some club Rugby then, the beer is cheap

[paul]

Not sure where Ric got this from: "Despite an extensive injury list from the Nedlands game..." Dogs played Kala in the last round.
But yes there were a few missing because of injury and work. Perhaps that was why the game was pretty scrappy and loose up front.
Good to see Junior and ChrisO out there. I guess we're lucky because our Force players actually do enjoy coming to play for Wanneroo and being part of the club. They were there when we were down the bottom of the table and they've stuck with us.
You'll see them (including Hodgo) at the club when they are not available to play supporting the guys.
Pretty ordinary effort from Rocky, pulling the pin on 2nd Grade on the coin toss. Happened to the Dogs a few years back when Joondalup pulled out of 1st Grade (District Comp) at half-time in 2nd Grade!!

[bunter]

You're right Paul, it was a bloody ordinary effort from Rockingham on the day.
The Club is extremely embarassed at not being able to show Wanneroo, or the competition, the respect deserved.

Despite a number of players not being available for 1sts, there was no reason to expect about 9 of the 2nds to just plain not show on the day after a good turnout at training Thursday night.

Maybe, just maybe, if there is not a fairly quick attitude and commitment adjustment by some players, the Club may re-access their "grow your own" policy, and you may well see a sudden influx of imports very shortly, to put the club in line with their competition.

[brokendown gunfighter]

seems like some of the rocky players may have been out harvesting some of their growing their own

[bunter]

What??? You know about that stuff???

[fulvio sammut]

He da man, Bunt.

[Bo Selecta!]

Kala will get better as the season goes on, They have lost a considerable amount of experience from last season. Which includes both first grade hookers and halfback through retirement, all of which shared the captaincy throughout last year. Both 1st grade locks, one is slowly getting back to rugby and the other is now playing in France. And also 3 loose fowards to work, retirement and Rugby League in Sydney.
But the I hear the third grade has recruited well in the form of former All Black Norman Berryman

Pally the team to watchout for this season