Defending champions UWA’s late run to be part of the Pindan Premier Grade final series has continued with a scrappy 22-13 victory over fellow top four contenders Cottesloe in the Match of the Round on Saturday afternoon at McGillivray Oval.
The visitors went into the sheds at half-time with an 8-0 lead courtesy of a Nick Haining try and a Sam Heinneman penalty conversion, while the hosts failed to get any points on the scoreboard after missing four penalty attempts.
However, the second half told a different story as the hosts piled on 22 points to five, including three tries to Alan Gaughan, Richard Harwick and Luke Burton to secure a vital victory in the race for a top four position.
UWA’s coach Steve McFarland was thrilled with the victory despite an extremely disappointing first half in front of their home crowd.
“I’m obviously delighted to secure the victory today, but it is a big relief as we played particularly poorly in the first half,” he said.
“We missed four penalty attempts in the first half, which doesn’t help, but we also were poor with our handling skills.
“In the second half we looked after the ball a lot better, we were more patient in attack and we were rewarded with the points.”
McFarland believes the next three matches are great preparation for the finals series as the hosts try and secure their place in the top four for the chance to successfully defend their title in September.
“It was a scrappy game today, but these are games you have to win in order to be there come September,” he continued.
“The next three games are mini finals and we need to play well over the next three weeks to ensure we give ourselves the best possible chance to make the top four.”
The visitors coach, Ian Fowler, was understandably frustrated, but the loss was further compounded with a serious injury to captain Jarrod Butterworth.
“We are obviously disappointed to lose today against UWA, but I am more disappointed with our performance to be honest,” he said.
“It was a scrappy game and we gave away far too many penalties in the game, but I think the referee got those spot on so I cannot complain.
“We were poor in the first half, despite leading at half-time and we were even poorer in the second half, so it is bitterly disappointing.
“We lacked discipline and gave them far too many opportunities so it will be something we will be working on in training this week.”
Fowler echoed sentiments and believes the next three games are mini finals and only three victories will secure a position come finals.
“At the moment we are in the top four, so finals is definitely an option,” he continued.
“We need to win our next three matches and not rely on other results to secure our position come September.”
The only points of interest in the opening 15 minutes came through the boot of Nick Heinneman of Cottesloe as he gave the visitors a 3-0 lead after Luke Burton missed an attempt for the hosts.
Moments later the game burst to life when Nick Haining picked up the ball at the breakdown and skipped his way past three UWA players before downing the ball for the first try of the game. Heinneman missed the conversion attempt as the hosts extend their lead to eight points.
The hosts were starting to control the play and were given the opportunity to get their first points on the scoreboard through two penalties, but Burton, again missed both attempts.
Despite late pressure and another missed penalty attempt from the hosts they could not turn their pressure into points as Cottesloe went into half-time with an 8-0 lead.
The Students’ started the second half in blistering fashion and scored their points of the day courtesy of an Alan Gaughan try.
Gaughan received the ball after a quick pass at the breakdown and after barrelling his way past two Cott tacklers, he downed the ball. Gaughan added the extras himself to reduce Cottesloe’s lead to one point.
With neither team wanting to give each other an advantage at the breakdown, they were both punished for ill-discipline by the referee, however, Heinneman and Gaughan both missed their attempts for Cottesloe and UWA respectively.
UWA were again starting to control the contest and were rewarded for their dominance as they scored two tries in 10 minutes.
Their second try of the game came after a succession of passes found Richard Hardwick who dived and downed the ball in the corner to give the hosts the lead for the first time for the day.
Minutes later the Students’ extended their lead and all but secured victory as a quick pass at the breakdown found Burton, who powered past two Cottesloe players and touched the ball down next to the right hand post. Gaughan could only convert the second attempt as UWA had a 19-8 lead with seven minutes to play.
The home crowd were starting to get behind the Students’ and their faith was rewarded further as Gaughan converted another penalty to extend the hosts lead to 14 points.
Cottesloe scored a late consolation try courtesy of Ross Haylett-Petty, but it was UWA who secured the vital points and continued their late run for a position in the top four.