2007 Challenge Cup

[Burgs]

2007 Challenge Cup Kicked off Saturday 03/03/07

Round 2, Saturday the 10th March

Head on down to Perry Lakes to see the next generation of Force players battling it out for the Challenge Cup.

Round 2:
10th March
EAST v CENTRAL @ 3.30PM
SOUTH v NORTH @ 5.15PM

2007 Challenge Cup

The RugbyWA Challenge Cup will be conducted over three consecutive weekends, commencing on 3 March 2007, with all matches being hosted at Rugby Park and played in a double header format. There have been four teams selected comprising of players and management made up from the ten HBS 1st Grade clubs, Emirates Western Force players, Firepower Academy players and other invited players.

At the end of the three round competition a squad will be selected for the RugbyWA Perth gold side which will tour Japan in July. The Program is headed up by Academy Head Coach Geoff Townsend. The Perth Gold will be coached by Rockingham and Kolbe College coach Willi Van Dyke who also has coached the state under 19 side in 2004 & 2005.

Full Draw: http://www.rugbywa.com.au/verve/_res...e_Cup_Draw.pdf

[Burgs]

Anyone in attendance to give a report?

[qld supporter]

Are there any game reports ?

[Burgs]

I'll keep an eye out for you QS but was hoping someone from our 1,000 odd Members may have been there

[Burgs]

Thanks to Rick here's some feedback finally.
Still be good to hear from any by-standers though!

Challenge Cup - Round 1 Wrap

Sunday, 4 March 2007 11:03am
Rick Boyd, c/o RugbyWA

East defeated North 24-5 and South defeated Central 31-29 in the opening round of RugbyWA’s Challenge Cup 2007.

The pre-season competition combines the best of Perth's clubs into four regional teams, from which the state team, Perth Gold, will be selected by coach Willie Van Dyke.

Easts, comprised mainly of Perth-Bayswater, Kalamunda and Wanneroo players, dominated the play in the opening game but the scoreboard was even, with a 0-0 half time score. Norths, fielding players from Associates and Western Force lock Tom Hocking, scored first in the second half but Easts took the match with four unanswered tries.

The reverse unfolded in the second game as Central, comprised of Nedlands and Wests Subiaco players, dominated territory and possession but the score see-sawed back and forth as Souths, with players from Palmyra, Rockingham and Cottesloe, made better use of limited opportunities. Central led 15-12 at half time but Souths controlled the third quarter and scored two late tries in an exciting climax to seize the game 31-29.

Easts opened strongly in the first match, dominating the opening ten minutes and displaying the slick moves and continuity of a team well into its season, and not the first pre-season trial. Perth-Bayswater half back Curtis McLean and Western Force flyhalf Scott Daruda combined well to set up smooth attacking options.

With no penalty kicks taken, it was an all-running affair. North evened up the game with good periods of attacking rugby and the teams went into the quarter time break without score.

Norths lifted in the second spell and almost scored when wing Rory McCarthy raced down the touchline but was caught short. Norths lost a lock to the sin bin and Easts rebounded, inside centre Dudley Cortland coming within centimetres of scoring but he was bundled into the corner flag.

Norths opened the second half with more determination and after several good phases sent the ball wide where reserve wing Nick Halberg scored in the corner. The conversion failed but Norths led 5-0, neither team accruing much reward for a lot of work.

Norths continued to dominate with flyhalf Sam Parker cutting through on several occasions. But following a penalty, Easts tapped and ran, finding Western Force apprentice blindside flanker Michael Dan on the sideline to lope 20 metres for the try in the corner. Daruda converted from near the sideline to claim the lead 7-5.

Easts continued to pressure and minutes later wing Vaalepu combined with ARKs centre Anton Wickens for an elusive try in the corner but the ball went forward in the act of scoring and the score remained unchanged.

But immediately after Dan charged up the opposite touch line and Daruda scored in the corner, the failed conversion leading to three quarter time with Easts ahead 12-5.

Easts went further ahead in the final quarter after a lineout ten metres out, two quick forward charges giving McLean space to dart in on the blind. Daruda slotted another pinpoint conversion from the touch line and Easts took control at 19-5.

Easts piled on the points with another try in the corner to Wickens after a scything run. Number eight Jock Stanley took over the kicking duties but the sideline attempt fell short and Easts took the winning 24-5 score into full time 5 minutes later.

The second match of the double header opened at a fast and furious pace, with Central dominating territory. Central opened the scoring with a classic play, a wide cut out pass putting fullback Joe Symes in near the corner for an unmarked try after ten minutes.

Just before quarter time Central was hard on attack despite losing number eight Will Brock to the sin bin, when Souths intercepted, giant fullback Ratu Sulaniyaui running 70 metres and passing infield before Central wing Harry Cogin caught him, but the ball eventually went forward. Souths regained possession in the next movement and number eight Andrew Turner plunged over to even the scores at 5-5.

Central stayed on top into the second quarter and ten minutes in scored their second try to wing Justin Webster on the blind from a scrum. Souths' reply was immediate, swarming downfield and passing wide for Sulaniyaui to surge over beside the posts. Flyhalf James Stannard converted to take Souths ahead for the first time 12-10.

But Central continued to dominate territory and camped in Souths' 22, hammering their line with attacking phases. Despite dogged defence from Souths the pressure eventually told and lock Kiti Fuluna charged over for a try to reclaim the lead 15-12 going into half time.

Souths continued the see-saw game when five minutes into the second half Stannard spotted a gap and skated through stunned defence to run in a brilliant solo try from 45 metres out. He converted the sitter and Souths were back in front 19-15.

Souths turned the tables on Central into the third quarter, pinning them in their 22 and hammering their line but the Central defence stood firm. Souths lost prop Chris Indich for disputing a refereeing decision and Central launched several promising raids but the quarter concluded without score.

In the final quarter, Central gained more territory and had marginally the best of muddled play, gaining a try to number eight Will Brock. Inside centre Mike Denton converted from the sideline, retaking the lead 22-19. But the lead was short-lived as Central conceded loose ball in the middle of the field a minute later and Sulaniyaui kicked ahead, winning the race to in goal for the try. Stannard converted the sitter and Souths were back in front 25-22.

Central had the best of the final ten minutes and almost scored but were driven out in the corner. Central threw the ball around desperately but Souths pounced and slipped downfield with magic passing skills for another Stannard try in the corner.

Central had one last desperate sortie and rumbled over for a try to reserve prop Matt Davies, converted by Denton, but it wasn’t going to be enough and Souths survived to fulltime with a 31-29 lead.

Next Round:

10th March
EAST v CENTRAL - 3.30PM
SOUTH v NORTH - 5.15PM

[fulvio sammut]

Good stuff Rick, and thanks.
Any idea why Norths drew players from Associates only? I would have thought they would be linked with Cottesloe as those clubs are almost side by side in location.And, it is a bit silly calling the teams by compass points, given Soaks are pretty well south, not north.

Is there any comment on new exceptional signings? I believe Perth have recriuted very well, courtesy probably of their outstanding coach Taylor, and I know Palmyra have a few useful new recriuts.
I understand Wests have had a windfall of good, cheaply come by recriuts from the east due to their close association with the Hilgendorf uncle and nephew.
I haven't heard much about the others, although I hear Rockingham have been raiding nearby clubs and Kalamunda have lost a few to Perth.
Associates haven't done too well raiding Palmyra, (how do they get other clubs players particulars?) and Cottesloe are keeping things close to their chest.
I noticed a well built Fijian playing in the sevens for Nedlands and they had a few other handy players I hadn't seen before.

Wanneroo should do well through their South African connections, though I noted they didn't show them off in the sevens. Still, they looked useful.
But the biggest mystery is what is happening at University. No one seems to know. Probably nothing, and mores the pity for a strong competition.

Here's hoping for a grand 2007 season with plenty of upsets and an upending of the "natural order".

[Burgs]

Don't forget to head on down to Perry Lakes to support these future Force fellas running about like loons while you nurse a humungo hangover from post Subiaco victory celebrations
Bring your own burger of therapeutic grease

[JamesBrown]

Is there any comment on new exceptional signings?
I noticed a well built Fijian playing in the sevens for Nedlands and they had a few other handy players I hadn't seen before.



Here's hoping for a grand 2007 season with plenty of upsets and an upending of the "natural order".

Neddies have got afew new players atm if they play is another thing . One of the players William Blair should be good to watch this saturday he comes accross from Lecester. There is also another bloke Zane from Noosa who played Prems over there and Tyson Takiari who is troy's brother who will join us in the second row. All three of the lads could be playing this saturday so it should be a good indicator if they can play or not. Two japanese players are playing in the match aswell. one flyhalf n a flanker.

[RugbyFan]

FS, the Fijian fella for Nedlands has been around for years.

[fulvio sammut]

I must be blind then RugbyFan.

Tell you what though, it's shaping up to be a cracker of a season for at least a half dozen clubs.

[brokendown gunfighter]

I must be blind then RugbyFan.

Tell you what though, it's shaping up to be a cracker of a season for at least a half dozen clubs.

Colour blind perhaps Fulvio?

[fulvio sammut]

It depends on the shade of blue...

[JamesBrown]

theres only 2 blues !!! Neddies and the Force paly are more white and the tahs are like Bright Turquoise Cott are Denim