An injury ravaged Nedlands have continued their undefeated streak to 11 matches in the Pindan Premier Grade as they outclassed second-bottom Rockingham 37-3 at the Foreshore on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts were missing nine of their first grade players, but still managed to run over six tries to secure a bonus point with Marlon Walker and Jake Stevens scoring a double each.
It was a tale of two very different halves as neither side could capitalise on their possession in the opening 40 minutes as an Izzy Lata try and Michael Botes penalty gave the hosts an 8-3 lead over Rockingham at the break.
The second half was a different story as Nedlands opened the flood gates to run over five tries, with four coming in the last 24 minutes.
Nedlands coach Tony Ball was delighted with his team’s efforts and praised the players on their eleventh straight victory.
“We are definitely happy to continue the winning streak considering we are missing nine of our first grade players due to injury,” he said.
“I had to call up three players from third grade to sit on the bench today; so to produce a performance like we did today, I am very happy.
“I thought the first half today was very tight and Rockingham took the game to us, so I was pleased we were able to withstand their attacking presence.
“I was extremely happy with our second half as we scored five outstanding tries and secured the bonus point,” Ball continued.
Ball said he was looking forward to getting several key players back from their clash against the second placed Associates.
“It doesn’t get any easier for us next weekend as we are playing the second best team in the competition against Associates,” he said.
“We are hopeful of getting a few of our injured players back on board as it is going to be a massive game, but I am confident we can make it 12 wins in a row.”
Rockingham coach Gus Martyn was disappointed with the big loss against Nedlands, but praised his team first half.
“It is obviously disappointing to lose by a big score; however, I feel we had a very good first half and really took the game to Nedlands,” he said.
“In the first 40 minutes I was pleased with the way we played for each other and our defensive pressure.
“Our second half performance was not acceptable and I am disappointed we missed tackles, passes and made just too many errors.
“Nedlands are a class team and if you give them the opportunity they will utilise the space you give them and they will punish you as happened today,” Martyn continued.
Martyn is hoping for a better performance from his Rockingham outfit in another huge clash against defending champions UWA.
“Next week is another big game against Uni, so it does not get any easier for us,” he said.
“In training we will be working on our attacking play and I am confident we will have a better performance than we did today.”
Nedlands started the game more positively than their opposition and took an early 3-0 lead when Botes converted a penalty from close range.
The hosts extended their lead on 15 minutes as a quick set of passes from Ryan McLoud and Jake Stevens sliced the Rockingham defence open as Izzy Lata downed the ball in the corner to score the opening try of the match. Botes missed the conversion from a tough angle to give Nedlands an 8-0 lead.
Six minutes of ill-discipline followed from the hosts to give Rockingham’s AJ Smith the opportunity to get the visitors back into the fixture, however, he saw his two penalty attempts fail to reach the posts.
Moment later though, Smith scored the visitors first and only points as his 30 yard drop goal sailed through the middle of the posts to cut Nedlands lead to five points.
Despite late chances for both sides to add points to the score board, desperate defensive play across the field foiled their efforts and Nedlands went into half time leading 8-3.
The opening two minutes were an indication of what Rockingham were to face in the second half as Nedlands scored their second try.
Ryan McLoud was again involved as his pass split the Rockingham defence to find Cameron Crowley, who jinxed his way past two last ditch tackles to score under the posts. Botes added the extras from five metres to give the hosts a 15-3 lead.
Nedlands were controlling the play and scored their third and fourth try within two minutes of one another, both from Marlon Walker.
Walker’s first came after he received the ball from the line-out before being pushed over the try line by his team-mates.
His second, two minutes later, came after running 25 metres and barrelling his way past four Rockingham tacklers before downing the ball over the try line. Botes missed both conversion attempts to give the hosts a 27-3 lead.
On 66 minutes ill-discipline cost Rockingham dearly as Nathan Roberts played a quick pass to Matt Paris who drew a Rockingham defender before playing in Jake Stevens to score Nedlands fifth try of the game. Botes, again missed the conversion as Nedlands extended their lead to 29 points.
Nedlands concluded their scoring on 79 minutes as Stevens scored his second try after receiving a quick pass to score the hosts sixth try. Mark Davies missed the tough attempt at adding the extras as the referee blew the whistle to give Nedlands a 37-3 victory over Rockingham.