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Rockingham got off to an encouraging start to their season with a five try to two belting of an underdone Palmyra in both club's' season opener scratch match today,
Fielding a team which included only two of their last season players, Rocky were sharper, faster and more disciplined in their backs, though their forwards lacked the power of the Palmyra pack.
It was hard to pick a best player out of Rocky's backline which were collectively a class act, but Rocky's new fullback is in a class of his own, and their halfback is a very effective general, turning any possession into territorial gain for his outside backs.
Palmyra, although competitive, lacked the overall flair and enthusiasm of the Rockingham outfit, and failed to turn a mountain of possession in the first twenty minutes into points, even though they had a stiff breeze behind them. Rocky did not make the same mistake and used the second half gale expertly to their advantage.
It was strange to see the Palmyra pack, so dominant for most of the game, finally have to call for uncontested scrums in the last ten minutes due to injuries to both props.
Joe Savage, Palmyra's star signing this year, returned to NZ last week.
Nathan Hunt, Cottesloe's grand final winger, who had signed on and trained at Palmyra last week, claiming lack of opportunity at Cottesloe, was enticed back to Cott for God knows what inducement.
I predict that Rockingham's "Wellington B" combination will be a big force in the competition, barring injuries and defections. The only down side I see for Rocky is a lack of overall depth, with the club only being able to field a first and second grade.
By the way, the Rockingham supporters are singularly unimpressed with Sharpie, claiming that all it took for Cottesloe to secure his allegiance was a weekend boat trip. They obviously don't pay him much at the Force if that's the case....