A strong second half helped Rockingham to a close, untidy 29-21 win over a developing Wests-Subiaco team at Rosalie Park in today's club rugby competition match of the round, sponsored by KWIK Transport and Crane Hire.

Rockingham dominated the later stages but were denied two tries close in before clinching the game with a sweeping movement in the final minutes.

Wests led 21-14 at half time and looked to have the measure of an ill-disciplined Rockingham team, with halfback Graham Cooper slotting three gift penalty goals but failed to maintain the momentum after the break.

Wests created the early pressure and Cooper kicked a penalty goal after four minutes but Rocky returned the pressure from the kick off, only to blow a certain try with a huge overlap after 12 minutes.

Wests had their turn as a messy, mistake-ridden half unfolded and Cooper kicked his second goal after 20 minutes when Rocky were offside in defence of their 22.

This time Wests kept the pressure on and when Rocky captain AJ Smith questioned the referee's penalty call for coming in the side of a ruck, Wests gained an extra 10 metres for an unmissable penalty kick to Cooper from in front.

Wests took a 9-0 lead after 22 minutes, but Rocky answered in the best possible fashion, sweeping downfield for centre Jeremy Claydon to cut through close to the posts for a try after 25 minutes. Fullback Dudley Cortland converted the sitter and Rocky were right back in it at 9-7 after 25 minutes.

Rocky kept coming using the width of the field with speed and energy but conceded a free kick from holding on in the ruck and Wests went wide, centre Heremaia Te Aute breaking out down the sideline for a runaway try from near half way. Cooper converted from out wide and Wests regained the initiative, then hammered it home minutes later with a try from a thumping charge by lock Jason Frost after a free kick close to Rocky's line. The wide conversion missed but Wests took charge 21-7 after 35 minutes.

But Rocky weren't done with and just before half time, multiple phases of attack on Wests' line yielded a charging try to bulky flanker Luaki, converted from out wide by Cortland, and Rocky went into the break trailing 21-14 but still very much in the game.

An inconclusive tussle consumed the opening 15 minutes of the second spell without much effective rugby from either team. Rockingham had marginally more territory and the better of the loose but Wests did better in the scrums and lineouts.

Then a free kick was tapped by Rocky after 17 minutes inside the 22 and weighty reserve prop Geoff Minson thundered over the line from short range. Cortland converted the difficult goal kick and it was all square at 21-21.

Rocky increased their control of territory and inched ahead after 22 minutes when Cortland landed a booming 40 metre penalty goal for offside.

Claydon plunged over the line on the blind from a series of rucks after 27 minutes but knocked on in goal as Rockingham worked desperately to sew up the match. Rocky increased their grip on the game in the closing stages, keepings Wests down in their half with swarming pressure. With time running out Rocky mauled up to the line and lock Glyn Edwards drove over but was ruled held up. But a couple of movements later the ball went wide and flyhalf Smith scored in the corner to wrap up the game 29-21.

For Rockingham, it was a step closer to working their way back up the ladder after last season’s creditable fifth place, but significantly more polish is needed before the team can expect to match that performance in 2009. Edwards, wing James Dougal and number eight Liam Bradley pointed the way with outstanding performances.

For a Wests-Subiaco team that is a work in progress, there were promising signs in the first half and several players of the future on offer, such as exciting teenage centre Heremaia Te Aute. His instincts and dazzling footwork will make him a real handful as he progresses.

In other games, Wanneroo maintained their record with a 46-28 win over an enterprising University team at McGillivray Oval, and Cottesloe gave a good account of themselves before going down 30-10 to Perth Bayswater at Harvey Field.

The other fancied teams didn’t fare so well, Nedlands suffering further ignominy at Sir Charles Court Reserve in their 75th anniversary year with their fifth straight loss to Associates 36-27, and at Hartfield, premiers Kalamunda crashed to a third straight defeat, at the hands of the season’s early bolters, Palmyra.

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