Nedlands are back with a vengeance after downing a lethargic Wanneroo team 21-17 at Sir Charles Court Reserve in the only Saturday game this weekend for the RugbyWA club competition, sponsored by KWIK Transport and Crane Hire.

Wanneroo started reasonably well in an untidy first half and scored two tries to lead 14-3, another big Roo-dogs win seeming imminent despite a handful of injuries. But as they have done several times in recent weeks after establishing healthy leads, Wanneroo lowered their guard and allowed an eager, combative Neddies team to steal the initiative and lead 16-14 at half time.

In a scrappy, disjointed second half Neddies made the most of serial Wanneroo errors and offences to extend their lead. The Roo-dogs finally recovered their urgency late in the half and had the game within reach for the final five minutes but Neddies closed them out for a prize victory in an otherwise disappointing season.

Wanneroo placed Nedlands under pressure in the opening minutes and from a scrum six minutes in, the Roo-dog forwards battered Neddies' line. They popped the ball out to big inside centre Palei Masila who cut back inside to score under the bar, and fullback Troy Doughty converted the sitter.

Nedlands fought back and fed off Wanneroo errors, wing Juan Pretorius kicking an easy penalty for offside after 20 minutes, but from the kick-off Wanneroo swarmed downfield. Centre Koiatu Koiatu slipped through the Nedlands defence with deceptive ease, handing out to wing Lawrence van der Linde for the try closer to the posts. Doughty converted and the visitors went ahead 14-3.

Neddies stayed in the game with hyperactive play in the loose, centre Zane Houia breaking out with a penetrative run. The Wanneroo defence held up and Neddies settled for a Pretorius penalty kick to trail 14-6. But two minutes later Neddies rushed downfield and kicked through, fullback Barry Mansfield winning the race to the ball to touch down in goal behind the posts. Pretorius converted from in front and the teams were suddenly neck and neck at 14-13.

Wanneroo had the better of the scrums and the lineouts, though Neddies threw everything into both, but the visitors’ error rate and lack of discipline continued to cost them as they struggled to get out of second gear. Then a penalty for offside in front of the posts after 36 minutes gave Pretorius the easiest of goals and the home side hit the front for a deserved 16-14 lead at half time.

Wanneroo coach Elwee Prinsloo must have had some inspirational words at half time as the visitors swarmed onto attack as the second spell opened but were caught short of the line. The Roo-dogs maintained the attack through multiple phases but Neddies turned over and kicked clear.

A mixed second half unfolded with continuing mistakes from Wanneroo and occasional surges of enterprise from Nedlands. Neddies lifted for 10 minutes of concerted attack midway through the half but their attacking moves never completely clicked and they failed to score. Pretorius also missed a moderate penalty chance after 24 minutes.

However, two minutes later a penalty lineout took Neddies up to Wannerooo's line and a tap penalty sent the ball blind where wing Alvin Lau shot over in the corner on an overlap. The conversion missed but Neddies grabbed a 21-14 lead with ten minutes to play.

Wanneroo finally found some urgency and pressured Neddies in their 22, Doughty slotting a sitter penalty with five minutes on the clock when Neddies intercepted from offside. The score set up a cliffhanger finish but Neddies held possession as the clock wound down and closed out the game for a notable win.

In the Friday night games, battered premiers Kalamunda narrowly defeated Rockingham 19-13 at Lark Hill, a confident Associates team dumped University 52-23 at Allen Park, Cottesloe ended Palmyra's dream season with a last gasp 17-15 win at Thompkins Park, and Perth Bayswater downed Wests-Subiaco 48-12 at Pat O'Hara Reserve.

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