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Early season surprise packet Perth Bayswater host Wanneroo at Pat O’Hara Reserve on Saturday in a game set to highlight the increasing level of parity in the KWIK Premier Grade competition.
Victory in their first two games of the season mean that Perth have already doubled their wins tally from last year and the club’s impressive start, coupled with a semi-final appearance in the pre-season Bankwest Cup, has the other Premier Grade clubs on alert.
“Lots of sides underestimate Perth Bayswater,” said Wanneroo coach Elwee Prinsloo.
“But they’re vastly improved on last year and will definitely cause a few upsets.”
Wanneroo won both matches between these sides last season thumping Baysie 52 – 24 at Kingsway and comfortably winning the corresponding fixture 31 – 19.
However, this is not 2010 and Perth Bayswater coach Rex George is confident that a busy offseason has set a platform and they will continue to build on a strong start.
“We struggled last year,” said George.
“After November we sat down and did a lot of planning. We took on tough preseason games and the team went away on a three day training camp.
“We identified fitness as a problem area for us and made that our main focus in the offseason and preseason.
“Last year we had a few close games but weren’t able to stay in the contest for 80 minutes. This year we’ve been able to stay in the contest and keep the pressure up and come away with two good wins.
“We also recruited key positions and I think the experience that those new players have brought has been invaluable.”
George pointed to New Zealanders Taki Cunningham (flyhalf) and Liaone Mulikihaamea (prop) as two new faces that have had an immediate impact.
“Taki and Liaone come from New Zealand competitions which are pretty full on and so they know what it takes to be successful,” said George.
“Liaone for example has five years of senior experience in Auckland. Last year we had players in our leadership group with only four or five Premier Grade games under their belts so to have those positions filled by blokes with years of experience now has made a massive difference.”
Perth’s mantra for the year is improvement and George believes that there is still a lot to come.
“We’re still building,” he said.
“We break down our own weaknesses and the opposition’s strengths and focus on little improvements each week.”
Wanneroo got off to a bad start losing their opener to Kalamunda but Coach Elwee Prinsloo took some heart from his sides’ strong second half performance against Associates that saw them fight back from a deficit to share the points in the second round.
“It took character to come back from 20 – 6 down against a strong side like Associates,” said Prinsloo.
“It shows a change in character from the last couple of seasons which is definitely encouraging.
“We’ve had some 50/50 calls go against us but that’s how rugby goes. I think the results are coming, the boys have been playing well at times and we just need to put together a full 80 minutes of football.
“We’re carrying a few injuries but that’s no excuse, the boys stepping up this week are more than capable and hopefully we can spoil Baysies’ good start.”
KWIK Premier Grade – Week 3
Saturday, 16 April 2011
Nedlands v Associates at The Foreshore, 15:30
UWA v Kalamunda at McGillivray Oval, 15:30
Perth Bayswater v Wanneroo at Pat O'Hara, 15:30
Wests Subiaco v Cottesloe at Rosalie, 15:30
Rockingham v Palmyra at Lark Hill, 15:30
http://www.rugbywa.com.au/NewsEvents...2/Default.aspx
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Originally Posted by Reds81
Was the wait worth it - Ya betta baby 