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By RugbyWA Media
Contributors: Josh Zimmerman
A near faultless first half exhibition of wet weather rugby saw Associates take the points over Wests Subiaco 34 – 20 at a sodden Allen Park and climb to third on the KWIK Premier Grade ladder.
The home side scored four tries in thirty minutes to put Wests on the back foot and although the rain stayed away for much of the game a ten minute torrential downpour just before kick-off ensured an expansive style of play was never on the cards.
This was bad news for visitors whose potent attacking backline has been outstanding for the majority of the 2011 campaign but the side has struggled previous in the wet.
“We were in trouble early when Associates got off to such a strong start,” said Wests Subiaco Coach Steven Montgomery.
“You can't let a Premiership grade side like Soaks score 24 unanswered points in such a short space of time and expect to get much out of the game.
“Full credit to them though, they played exceptionally well in the conditions and deserved the result today.”
Wests Subiaco flyhalf Teava Terangi opened the scoring and gave the visitors their only lead of the game in the tenth minute slotting a penalty from 35m out to the right after an Associates player entered a ruck from the side.
Two minutes later Terangi had a chance to extend his side's lead when Soaks again infringed at the ruck but his 45m attempt was caught in the wind and drifted wide.
From there Associates put on a wet weather rugby clinic, kicking for territory and keeping the ball close to run in four tries and secure a bonus point before half time.
Outside centre Aamon Matuato started the deluge, breaking straight through Wests' defensive line after a lineout and running 60 metres to score in the corner.
The gusty conditions made goal kicking hard and Soaks' flyhalf Matt Dreyer failed to convert up against the touchline.
Five minutes later, and after a number of attacking phases inside Wests' 22, the ball was spread wide to prop Mike D'Adamo who powered over in the corner for the home side's second try. Dreyer was again off target.
A couple of minutes later Associates were in for a score, this time to Emirates Western Force prop Paul Alo Emile who drove over from another attacking lineout. Dreyer finally found his range to convert.
Alo Emile scored his second just before half time, again forcing his way over from close range after yet another well taken lineout. Dreyer added the extras and Associates ended the half ahead 24 – 3.
Wests appeared to have been taking notes during the break and began to employ the same game plan that Associates used to such great effect in the first stanza.
The visitors began to even up the territory statistic and in the 50th minute Pierre Roberts quickly took a penalty five metres away from the try line and managed to stretch over for his side's first try.
Terangi slotted the conversion and five minutes later Wests scored again after a beautiful cut out pass from scrumhalf Michael Marshall allowed fullback Chance Bunce to cross untouched.
Terangi missed the conversion but the home side's lead was cut to nine.
Associates regained their composure and once again began to dominate the proceedings with a penalty and converted try to Dreyer.
Wests managed to score a late consolation try and pushed hard for a fourth but some brave defence from Associates in the dying minutes meant the visitors went home empty handed.
“Very happy get a bonus point and a win, it's all very important at this time of the year,” said Associates Coach Ryan Parkin.
“Wests were very close to getting two bonus points for finishing within seven and scoring four tries so I'm glad we were able to keep them out there at the end.
“The guys did really well in the first half for about thirty minutes and the four tries we scored during that period was the difference in the end.
“We're happy to live another day in the competition and we're looking forward to Perth Bayswater next weekend.”
With two rounds to go Nedlands has top spot sown up following their 26-12 victory against Kalamunda. The Royal Blues now have an unassailable 11 point lead on the ladder and look well placed to defend their KWIK Premier Grade championship.
UWA too are assured of finals action after dispatching Rockingham 20-15. Uni have 55 points, 11 more than Associates and Cottesloe who are third and fourth respectively.
The students have won five in a row and will come up against a red hot Cott side next week who have notched six victories on the trot.
The Seagulls 9 point win (14-5) over a dogged Wanneroo wasn’t pretty but they got the job done and maintained their march towards the playoffs.
In the tightest race to the finals in recent memory, five teams are in the race for the two open spots in the top four.
Associates, Cott and Wests are all on 44 points with just percentage separating them while Palmyra put the brakes on a three game slide with a bonus point win against Perth Bayswater and climbed to 40 points for the season.
Palmyra ran all over the top of Baysie in the 54-19 result which helped boost their very healthy percentage (130%) which could be significant in the final mix with both Wests Subiaco and Cottesloe unable to match that figure, although they both have a four point buffer over Paly.
Wanneroo are mathematically still in finals contention but six points behind they need to secure bonus point victories in the final two rounds to be a realistic chance of figuring in post-season action.
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