Rockingham Sound Their Trumpet.

[fulvio sammut]

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....

[theforceguy]

uncontested how embarrassing

Pally does not have a lot of debt either if they weren't able to field enough props

[fulvio sammut]

We'll be contesting the wooden spoon with Perth, the way it's going, Forceguy!

[fulvio sammut]

And how did the other scratchies today turn out?

[fulvio sammut]

The title to this post, as well as acknowledging Rocky's success, also refers to the obnoxious old fart amongst their supporters who constantly sings like an out of tune foghorn, and blows on a cut down vuvuvuvu whatever.

[chertubler]

only sings when they score a try must be why you got sick of it

[fulvio sammut]

C'est vous, mon cher?

[bunter]

Non, mon ami qui est Sir Geoff

[The Oracle]

Forget the trial match results.

Congratulations all the same to Rocky if Fulvio's report can be taken as gospel and he isn't feining injury as he has been known to. Perhaps someone else at the game can verify things.

The big picture issue is what will Rugby Wa's position be if as the jungle drums are sounding, that Rockingham enter just a 1st, 2nd and 4th grade team in the competition ie no 3rds, no Under 20's and no Under 18's?

Rockingham in this scenario would not meet the published criteria required to be a Premier Grade Club, for the second year on the trot. There are no obvious contenders for their spot from the "District" clubs particularly after seeing the results of the pre-season cup.

Despite early form, Rocky must be precariously shallow in player numbers to sustain a full campaign.

When Kala won the 1st grade premiership a few years ago they did not field a 3rd grade allowing them to field fresh benches in 1st and 2nd grade each week - a great strategy but surprised that loophole has not been closed since.

Any comments Bunter?

A supplementary question: Where has Rocky got all this money from suddenly to buy in all these players?

[fulvio sammut]

I think Rockingham's response will be "If you forgive me for not answering your question, I'll forgive you for asking it".

What business is it of yours where they got the money from?

Go ask Soaks or Nedlands or even Pally the same question and see what response you'll get!

And by the way, there are no longer any competition rules that need to be obeyed.

Clubs can play ineligible players, do without Colts, drop grades, rope in wallabies for the final series, and generally suit themselves in whatever they do.

RugbyWA have opened Pandora's box, and they don't even realise it.

Be prepared for a whole lot of cheating taking place this season, and it won't be restricted to just the usual suspects.

[GIGS20]

That praise was for Para 2 & 4

I do think though that something needs to be done about the rampant theft of players from (clubs like) Rocky, you surely don't think they lost three complete teams just because the ground isn't up to standard.....hang on a minute, they're playing in the best location they have ever!....maybe they're serving the wrong oranges at halftime?....or possibly all those players have run off to Paly because the bar prices are so much better now that they've stopped serving alcohol.

Look I'm not close to the club now, there might be internal strife I'm unaware of, but no other club in the district is close to a premier team and Rocky has been faithfully fulfilling a role for years, isn't it about time RugbyWA stepped up and gave them some support?

[bunter]

Well I guess Rocky is like every other sports club and do have internal differences of opinion within.

Assistance from RugbyWA is not something the Club are going to hold our breath waiting for. We're used to fending for ourselves and have never tried poaching players from other Clubs to bolster or ranks.

Having said that, as Fulvio has noted, it's a different proposition this year so all Clubs be on guard as Rockingham are looking for tight five players, and will no longer sit back playing the nice guys.

As far as "where did all the money come from," surely you jest.
Rocky have suffered successive years of alleged sponsors not coughing up and causing financial strain in the Club.

Even this year, there have been issues with tying down sponsors, and I can assure you that there are no big sugar daddy's lined up this season.

It seems that word of mouth from players has helped to encourage new players to the Club, and I guess they are also attracted to the clean Kwinana Industrial Strip air.

Certainly it is a big problem that Rocky cannot field more grades in the Competition and a heap of work needs to be done in that area.

I do not believe that there is a case for RugbyWA to throw Rocky out of the Competition as that act would only show up the shortfalls in the administration of the Local Comp and the change in direction of RugbyWA since the inception of the Force.
Also, as Fulvio has accurately pointed out, adherence to the Competition Rules went down the gurgler last season.

Interesting season coming up, and I guess Rocky will have to hold out for that one big Lotto win and who knows, we may even be able to afford to buy Sharpie back from Cottesloe.

Love ya's all xxxxxxxoooooo

[palitu]

having a 4th grade is good, it keeps the old blokes around to play a little bit more relaxed rugby, and still be able to support the boys ,whether it is semi opposed training, cooking the sausage sizzle at the game, or setting up the field.

Let them have their 1's, 2's and 4ths and quit the bitching about them. damn, this joint can be worse than the view....

hopefully rocky can get back into the groove and fulfill the requirements.

[GIGS20]

Always nice to get the word from the inside wrt Rocky Bunter......God knows a lot of stuff gets thrown around this place, and Rocky's sometimes a little short of accurate defense.

[Hansie]

Typical Pally - hiding their light under a Bushell.

With a growing population down the Southern Corridor, State of the Art facilities, CSC Rugby Schools all to themselves, Rocky should be strong.

They even have a far better Foreshore than Cott.....

I still reckon Pally are the team to beat in 2011.