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Minor premiers Nedlands recovered form with perfect timing to down an error-ridden Cottesloe 29-11 in today’s major semi-final at Lark Hill, earning a place in the grand final of the RugbyWA Premier Grade, sponsored by KWIK Transport and Crane Hire.
Cottesloe started and finished the game strongly but in between their reshaped back line laboured for continuity with a string of basic errors under pressure from Neddies confrontational midfield defence.
Nedlands led 12-8 at half time, two late tries pegging back Cott's earlier dominance.
Nedlands made the first advance but Cott quickly turned the tables and rucked up to Neddies' line from a scrum, Cloete kicking a sitter penalty after nine minutes for hands in the ruck.
The Seagulls were right back on attack with a long kick through by wing Nathan Hunt. Nedlands spilled loose ruck ball and the Seagulls pounced, the ball shooting out to blindside flanker Josh Gugich lurking on the wing for a simple try out wide after 13 minutes. Cloete's conversion narrowly missed but Cott were on top early at 8-0.
Nedlands made inroads with heavy forward charges but flyhalf Mike Denton missed a wide penalty after 17 minutes, then from a penalty lineout minutes later the ball was lost forward in front of the posts.
First Cottesloe and then Nedlands had good opportunities as the game moved from one end of the field to the other, but when Cottesloe knocked on in midfield Nedlands had their turn at snaffling the loose ball, sending it along the back line for a try to prop Joe Ritchie in the corner. The sideline conversion missed but it was anyone's game at 8-5 after 34 minutes.
Neddies were quickly back on attack and when Cottesloe were caught out of position with numbers to one side, quick passing down the touchline sent Neddies wing Alvin Lau racing in to score closer to the posts. Denton converted and suddenly Nedlands had the advantage 12-8 with minutes to half time.
Cottesloe had a last chance with a prime attacking lineout from a penalty but were penalised in a subsequent ruck and the score stood as the teams went into the break.
Nedlands roared into the second spell, launching waves of attack in Cottesloe's half but staunch defence and attacking errors held the Royal Blues out for ten frenetic minutes.
Cott's relief was temporary, a penalty putting the minor premiers back on attack. They ran the Seagulls ragged with multiple phases and then just as he lined up another backline foray, halfback Nathan Roberts switched direction and dived at the line, burrowing over for a try near the posts. Denton added the extras and Neddies looked well on their way to the grand final at 19-8 after 23 minutes.
The Seagulls stuck to their guns and worked hard to get back in Neddies' 22, Cloete knocking over a penalty for offside after 25 minutes. But it was all for nothing as Neddies raced back onto attack. Inside centre Tukia Muli potted a handy drop goal when repeated phases went nowhere and the minor premiers went out to a commanding 22-11 lead.
Cottesloe made errors as they rushed to catch up with time running out, repeated midfield fumbles ruining their continuity and giving Nedlands ever more possession and territory.
But Cott bounced back to control the last five minutes, hammering Neddies’ line with lineouts, scrum and rucks but couldn't finish. Instead a foolish midfield chip kick handed Denton an intercept, fullback Jake Stevens finishing off with a try beside the posts.
Denton converted, the full time whistle blew and the minor premiers had earned a ticket to the grand final 29-11, while the Seagulls lived to fight another day in the preliminary final next week at Hartfield. Their opponents will be the winner of tomorrow’s minor semi-final at Lark Hill between Associates and Palmyra.
Nedlands also won the second grade major-semi-final, 27-8 over Associates.
Nedlands first grade coach Tony Ball acknowledged that his side had not been in impressive form throughout the majority of the second half of the season however had found their best when it counted.
“We’ve had key injuries during the second round and it affected the balance of the team,” Ball said.
“You lose your leaders and that’s a big factor. We just had a bit of a lull, it’s been a long season, but they’re ready to go again.”
Nedlands started the game slowly but Ball wasn’t concerned.
“No, not at all. We’re the slowest starters in the comp,” Ball said.
A strong forward showing and rugged defence were key factors in the win, and a big part of Ball’s game plan.
“In any final you have to get your forward dominance early, and it worked well for us,” Ball said.
“Cott have a tough forward pack but we got the edge today, we got the result”.
Ball conceded Cottesloe’s error rate had helped his cause.
“But we put a lot of pressure on them too,” he said.
“We worked really hard on our defence, that was our main goal for the week, and it worked.”
The win takes Neddies into the grand final and Ball admitted to some relief.
“It’s nice to be there, it’s been three years since we’ve been in one,” Ball said.
Ball nominated powerhouse lock James Cullimore as his outstanding performer in the game.
“He’s been out injured and he made a big difference today,” Ball said.
KWIK Premier Grade: Major Semi Final: Nedlands 29 bt Cottesloe 11.
Reserve Grade: Major Semi Final: Nedlands 27 bt Associates 8.
Under 20's: Major Semi Final: Associates 23 bt UWA 18.
Under 20's Div 2: Preliminary Final: Perth Bayswater 21 bt Palmyra 0.
Under 18's: Cottesloe 29 bt Associates 12.
3rd Grade Gold: Major Semi Final: Joondalup 10 bt Curtin Uni 6.
3rd Grade Black: Major Semi Final: Nedlands 18 bt Wests Subiaco 15.
4th Grade Gold: Major Semi Final: Curtin Uni 24 Southern Lions 7
4th Grade Black: Major Semi Final: UWA 26 bt Nedlands 10
4th Grade Blue: Major Semi Final: Associates 12 bt Midland 6. Minor Semi Final: Cottesloe 54 bt Nedlands 0.
Women’s: Preliminary Final: Cottesloe 12 bt Kalamunda 5.
by Rick Boyd | RugbyWA
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