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Wests Scarborough 1st Grade juggernaut has played finals rugby each and every year since its inception and continues this remarkable feat yet again this season and unbelievably it's still rolling on and as an added little circle jerk for the masses Wests actually hold the record for the current longest unbroken finals record.
Gunny, what happened? Did she read your post?
just refreshing the memory bank,Frank
Ah, the doubt. Always the doubt.
We always wear the same heads, Westie. Of industry, commerce, trade, the arts, the professions.
They're great aphrodisiacs.
WESTERN FORCE MEDIA RELEASE
Sunday, 29 March 2015
BROTHERS VICTORIOUS IN TOP GRADE DEBUT
Pindan Premier Grade – Round 1
Joondalup Brothers 22 defeated Kalamunda 17 at HBF Arena, Joondalup
Wests Scarborough 26 defeated Nedlands 19 at The Foreshore, Nedlands
Associates 22 defeated UWA 5 at McGillivray Oval, Mt Claremont
Cottesloe 55 defeated Perth Bayswater 12 at Harvey Field, Cottesloe
Palmyra 53 defeated Wanneroo 17 at Kingsway Reserve, Landsdale
By Sam Jones
Joondalup Brothers kicked off their Pindan Premier Grade career with a thrilling 22-17 victory over Kalamunda at HBF Arena yesterday.
Joondalup’s inaugural top-level triumph also saw them become the first club to hold the RugbyWA Cup, which they will next defend against Palmyra on Saturday, 18 April.
Kalamunda’s decision to turn down several early opportunities at goal had little effect as they headed into the break with a 17-7 lead, however, it was Joondalup that had the better running of the second half, scoring 15 unanswered points to claim the memorable victory.
Inside centre James Wepener bagged a hat-trick for the home side, running in tries either side of the break as his side impressed in front of an ever-boisterous home crowd in the northern suburbs.
Joondalup Brothers coach Dean Carlisle said he was pleased at how his side responded in the second half.
“I’m absolutely stoked for the guys,” he said. “We’ve worked really hard through the pre-season and have had a long time together, so today’s the icing on the cake for the boys.
“We talked about a few things at half-time as we didn’t have control of the tempo of the game and as soon as we managed to do that, we did well.
“He’s [Wepener] the kind of kid who, some of the stuff that he does, you just can’t coach. He’s a great ball carrier and runner. He’s one to watch in the team for sure.”
Kalamunda coach Josh Heke said it was a tough loss, particularly since his side had the upper hand for large periods of the match.
“We just didn’t carry on our hunger,” he said. “I think we dominated quite a lot through the match, but with the wind, it was a game of two halves.”
“We had plenty of opportunities in the first half, probably missing two or three tries, which we needed to capitalise on.”
“We’ve got three games at home after Easter and will be back at full strength, so we’ll pick it up and go from there.”
A strong wind played a large role in the game, and Kalamunda took early advantage with all early play taking place deep into Joondalup territory.
However, they turned down several kickable penalties in search for a five-pointer and their inability to find the chalk was soon punished, as Joondalup’s pack, who were under pressure the entire game, won a tighthead in Kalamunda’s half, with Wepener crossing for the Brothers’ first Pindan Premier Grade try. Johann Louw converted and the Brothers led by 7-0.
Kalamunda’s dominance was nearly rewarded as their large forward pack mauled from 20 metres out to go over the line, only for referee Kyle Burnett to rule that the ball was in fact lost forward.
However, in little over 10 minutes, the away side ran in three unanswered tries – to hooker Benjamin Rumble, centre Tama Makamaka and scrum-half Ryan Black, to see the Bulls take a 10-point lead into the break.
Kalamunda continued to pressure the Brothers’ defence early in the second half, but the new kids on the block were up to the task, and used the strong wind over their shoulders to propel themselves into numerous ideal attacking opportunities.
Scrumhalf Johann Louw closed the gap to only a converted try – 17-10 – with a penalty kick in the 52nd minute, and a second Wepener try from a set-piece move off the back of a scrum followed 10 minutes later. Louw was unable to convert from the corner with Kalamunda holding a narrow two-point lead with under 20 minutes to play.
Both home fan favourite Ryan ‘Shrek’ Williams and Bulls tighthead prop Beau King traded big tackles in the second half, adding further intensity to a gripping contest.
A third try would soon come for the Brothers’ inside centre, as Kalamunda were put under pressure from a kick and chase, resulting in Wepener dotting down in front of the clubhouse. This time, Louw converted setting up the game for an exciting climax.
As the clock ticked down, the home side’s confidence continued to ride high, but Kalamunda was unable to trouble the Joondalup line in the final minutes, who ran out five-point victors.
In yesterday’s other results, last year’s minor premiers Nedlands were defeated 26-19 at home by Wests Scarborough; reigning premiers UWA went down 22-5 to Associates at McGillivray Oval; Cottesloe proved too strong for Perth Bayswater with a 55-12 bonus-point victory; and Palmyra got their season off to a convincing start with a 53-17 away victory over Wanneroo in Lansdale.
Joondalup Brothers 22 (James Wepener 3 tries; Johann Louw 2 conversions, penalty goal) defeated Kalamunda 17 (Benjamin Rumble, Tama Makamaka, Ryan Black tries; Preston Elama conversion)
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Told on the weekend, that a player bought over to play for one prem club who has trained for two weeks, registered and named to play for that club ended up playing for another club on the weekend, must have been after the rap the captain gave him in the captain interviews when they decided to swoop? The coach found out via text message on Thursday night.
Same said club, had other potential players swooped on by this club after phone calls from player / players not go to that club (with a few other overtones in the calls) but come to us.
On a side note too some of the goings on, also heard two clubs that have had U19s one of which has been a continual finalist will not be fielding teams this year?
Wonder what the crack are thinking now, with the community engagement and building the local game story they have been peddling?
oh well just another day in WA club Rugby.
Heard the same story. Should be an enquiry into how this was allowed to happen.
Wests Scarborough 1st Grade juggernaut has played finals rugby each and every year since its inception and continues this remarkable feat yet again this season and unbelievably it's still rolling on and as an added little circle jerk for the masses Wests actually hold the record for the current longest unbroken finals record.
Mr. Loofah, am I correct in assuming English isn't your first language?
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!