Challenge Cup - Round 1 Wrap
Sunday, 4 March 2007 11:03am
Rick Boyd
East defeated North 24-5 and South defeated Central 31-29 in the opening round of RugbyWA’s Challenge Cup 2007.
The pre-season competition combines the best of Perth's clubs into four regional teams, from which the state team, Perth Gold, will be selected by coach Willie Van Dyke.
Easts, comprised mainly of Perth-Bayswater, Kalamunda and Wanneroo players, dominated the play in the opening game but the scoreboard was even, with a 0-0 half time score. Norths, fielding players from Associates and Western Force lock Tom Hocking, scored first in the second half but Easts took the match with four unanswered tries.
The reverse unfolded in the second game as Central, comprised of Nedlands and Wests Subiaco players, dominated territory and possession but the score see-sawed back and forth as Souths, with players from Palmyra, Rockingham and Cottesloe, made better use of limited opportunities. Central led 15-12 at half time but Souths controlled the third quarter and scored two late tries in an exciting climax to seize the game 31-29.
Easts opened strongly in the first match, dominating the opening ten minutes and displaying the slick moves and continuity of a team well into its season, and not the first pre-season trial. Perth-Bayswater half back Curtis McLean and Western Force flyhalf Scott Daruda combined well to set up smooth attacking options.
With no penalty kicks taken, it was an all-running affair. North evened up the game with good periods of attacking rugby and the teams went into the quarter time break without score.
Norths lifted in the second spell and almost scored when wing Rory McCarthy raced down the touchline but was caught short. Norths lost a lock to the sin bin and Easts rebounded, inside centre Dudley Cortland coming within centimetres of scoring but he was bundled into the corner flag.
Norths opened the second half with more determination and after several good phases sent the ball wide where reserve wing Nick Halberg scored in the corner. The conversion failed but Norths led 5-0, neither team accruing much reward for a lot of work.
Norths continued to dominate with flyhalf Sam Parker cutting through on several occasions. But following a penalty, Easts tapped and ran, finding Western Force apprentice blindside flanker Michael Dan on the sideline to lope 20 metres for the try in the corner. Daruda converted from near the sideline to claim the lead 7-5.
Easts continued to pressure and minutes later wing Vaalepu combined with ARKs centre Anton Wickens for an elusive try in the corner but the ball went forward in the act of scoring and the score remained unchanged.
But immediately after Dan charged up the opposite touch line and Daruda scored in the corner, the failed conversion leading to three quarter time with Easts ahead 12-5.
Easts went further ahead in the final quarter after a lineout ten metres out, two quick forward charges giving McLean space to dart in on the blind. Daruda slotted another pinpoint conversion from the touch line and Easts took control at 19-5.
Easts piled on the points with another try in the corner to Wickens after a scything run. Number eight Jock Stanley took over the kicking duties but the sideline attempt fell short and Easts took the winning 24-5 score into full time 5 minutes later.
The second match of the double header opened at a fast and furious pace, with Central dominating territory. Central opened the scoring with a classic play, a wide cut out pass putting fullback Joe Symes in near the corner for an unmarked try after ten minutes.
Just before quarter time Central was hard on attack despite losing number eight Will Brock to the sin bin, when Souths intercepted, giant fullback Ratu Sulaniyaui running 70 metres and passing infield before Central wing Harry Cogin caught him, but the ball eventually went forward. Souths regained possession in the next movement and number eight Andrew Turner plunged over to even the scores at 5-5.
Central stayed on top into the second quarter and ten minutes in scored their second try to wing Justin Webster on the blind from a scrum. Souths' reply was immediate, swarming downfield and passing wide for Sulaniyaui to surge over beside the posts. Flyhalf James Stannard converted to take Souths ahead for the first time 12-10.
But Central continued to dominate territory and camped in Souths' 22, hammering their line with attacking phases. Despite dogged defence from Souths the pressure eventually told and lock Kiti Fuluna charged over for a try to reclaim the lead 15-12 going into half time.
Souths continued the see-saw game when five minutes into the second half Stannard spotted a gap and skated through stunned defence to run in a brilliant solo try from 45 metres out. He converted the sitter and Souths were back in front 19-15.
Souths turned the tables on Central into the third quarter, pinning them in their 22 and hammering their line but the Central defence stood firm. Souths lost prop Chris Indich for disputing a refereeing decision and Central launched several promising raids but the quarter concluded without score.
In the final quarter, Central gained more territory and had marginally the best of muddled play, gaining a try to number eight Will Brock. Inside centre Mike Denton converted from the sideline, retaking the lead 22-19. But the lead was short-lived as Central conceded loose ball in the middle of the field a minute later and Sulaniyaui kicked ahead, winning the race to in goal for the try. Stannard converted the sitter and Souths were back in front 25-22.
Central had the best of the final ten minutes and almost scored but were driven out in the corner. Central threw the ball around desperately but Souths pounced and slipped downfield with magic passing skills for another Stannard try in the corner.
Central had one last desperate sortie and rumbled over for a try to reserve prop Matt Davies, converted by Denton, but it wasn’t going to be enough and Souths survived to fulltime with a 31-29 lead.
