Soaks' Dream a Possible Reality After Inspired Victory
Associates threw away the script with a massive 48-17 bonus point demolition of Wanneroo at Allen Park today, keeping alive their chances of making the finals of the 2009 WA club competition, sponsored by KWIK Crane and Transport Hire.
The Roo-dogs dominated territory early but for most of the match the home side were on fire, screwing the Roo-dogs’ scrum, running in tries from all parts of the pitch and forcing the visitors into playing error-prone catch-up rugby. Soaks fullback Zack Holmes made a huge personal 18 point contribution with a flawless kicking display while tireless blindside flanker Alex Rovira grabbed two tries.
Associates turned the form guide upside-down to run away with a 27-3 half time lead. The expected second-half resurgence from Wanneroo never came, although a couple of late consolation tries reduced the embarrassment factor slightly.
The win leaves Associates five points behind Wanneroo on the competition table, and needing another bonus point win over Perth-Bayswater next week, combined with Palmyra defeating Wanneroo at Kingsway without any bonus points.
At Allen Park, it looked like business as usual early, the visitors moving quickly to control territory and possession, flyhalf Troy Doughty missing a long range penalty seven minutes in. But Soaks kicked downfield after 18 minutes and attacked wide, the ball going back inside for a try to halfback Byron Le Noury closer to the posts. Holmes converted and the home side went ahead 7-0 against the run of play.
Soaks were in again five minutes later, keeping play in Wanneroo's half for the forwards to drive over in the corner, Rovira claiming the try. Holmes converted from the sideline and Soaks jumped to a 14-0 lead.
Holmes added a difficult penalty on the half hour and an identical penalty for offside five minutes later, Soaks going ahead 20-0 with smarter, more creative rugby than the increasingly rushed, error-prone visitors.
Wanneroo finally gained urgency and wrestled the ball into Soaks' 22, lock John Wenman driving over the line on advantage only to lose control of the ball. Referee Warren Lynch brought play back for the penalty and Doughty landed a simple goal with four minutes until half time.
The Roo-dogs stayed on attack but lost momentum when they were penalised for not rolling away, then lost wing Mark Ormsby to the sin bin for disputing referee Lynch's decision. Then it was Soaks turn to throw points away, inside centre Tukia Muli cutting through Wanneroo's defence untouched only to trip and spill the ball forward.
But the effort wasn't wasted as Soaks turned over a defensive Roo-Dogs ruck and shot the ball wide, costing Wanneroo a penalty for offside. Soaks hooker Bernie Kubainski took a quick tap that caught Wanneroo off guard and he drove over for a try beside the posts. Holmes did the honours and the half time whistle blew, Soaks taking an astonishing 27-3 lead into the break.
The second half opened with more non-stop action, Soaks attacking Wanneroo's line only for the Roo-Dogs to turn over and race up the field. Hard on defence, Soaks gained the ball after Wanneroo were penalised for holding on and raced back downfield, the ball coming back in for a try close to the posts by flyhalf Karl Harding. Holmes' conversion took their lead to 34-3 and gained the bonus point after nine minutes.
An angry Wanneroo team forced play downfield from the restart and assaulted Soaks' line with heavy forward charges until halfback Thomas Servien nipped over from the base of the ruck for a simple touchdown behind the posts. Reserve flyhalf Paul Gibson converted for a touch of respectability at 34-10.
Wanneroo fought hard as the second half progressed and again controlled territory but struggled for continuity and made errors in the face of determined Soaks defence.
Nothing was going right for the Roo-dogs as they lost the ball and Soaks counter-attacked from their own half with a huge overlap, reserve halfback Charlie Norcross running wide then coming back in to score a runaway try beside the posts. Holmes converted the sitter as the jubilant home team made it look easy at 41-10 with ten minutes to play.
There was no stopping Soaks as they powered home, Rovira smashing over for a try in the corner with six minutes to play and Holmes slotting the sideline conversion to wrap up a perfect day with the boot.
But the Roo-dogs didn't give up and kept fighting for opportunities, reserve back Ollie Viney scoring a try near full time and reserve halfback Tyler Berry converting to trail 48-17.
In other games, the results followed the form guide as Kalamunda monstered Wests-Subiaco 91-19 at Hartfield, Palmyra downed Perth-Bayswater 37-12 at Tompkins Park, and Cottesloe defeated Rockingham 24-7 at Lark Hill -- although University nearly pulled off a major upset when they failed narrowly against Nedlands, 14-15 at Sir Charles Court Reserve.
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