TRANSFORMED PERTH WIN ON SOAKED ALLEN PARK
Fifth-placed Perth-Bayswater bounced back from last week's dismal defeat to grind third-placed Associates down 22-16 at Allen Park on Saturday in the WA club rugby competition sponsored by KWIK Crane and Transport Hire.
Another last gasp jailbreak was on the cards for Soaks when they scored in the final five minutes and gained repeated opportunities to attack, but despite a number of poor options under pressure the visitors defended grimly in atrocious weather and hung on to win.
Perth led 10-3 at half time after an uncharacteristically strong start, atoning for their awful performance last week against Palmyra by holding their passes and making their tackles.
Several players returning from injury and a couple of positional changes paid dividends for the men in black, big halfback Mark Hill outstanding in the muddy conditions. By contrast, Soaks suffered from the loss of enterprising flyhalf Matt Dreyer and elusive fullback Zack Holmes.
Perth did well in the scrums early although Soaks came back at them later but the home team created a number of telling turnovers that disrupted the visitors' possession.
Soaks started strongly and pinned Perth in their 22 but after Perth flanker Cameron Stonely broke up the midfield, Soaks were penalised for obstruction and flyhalf Toby Hohapata slotted the 25 metre penalty goal after 7 minutes.
Perth stayed on attack with swarming loose play and a big break by number 8 Jarrel Te Kahu led to the forwards rushing Soaks’ line, Te Kahu finishing off the move himself for a try after 12 minutes. Hohapata converted from a handy angle and the visitors claimed an early 10-0 lead.
Perth lost lock Jock Stanley to the sin bin after the restart but returned to hammer Soaks' line, inside centre Nick Holley almost scoring in the corner but was he unable to control the fingertip pass.
Soaks had their turn on the offensive and attacked in Perth's 22 but the visitors' scrum turned over possession and Soaks helped with errors and penalties, returning Perth to the other end of the field.
Perth lost blindside flanker Jackson Achilles to the sin bin on the half hour as referee Warren Lynch came down hard on breakdown offences, and Soaks went onto attack. The home side launched repeated attacks inside Perth's 22 with the help of opposition offences, but had to settle for a drop goal from in front by inside centre Tukia Muli a minute before the break.
Perth opened the second spell strongly and five minutes in, centre Nathan McCort chip kicked over the defence, regathered and passed out to Holley for a try beside the posts. Hohapata converted and the visitors went further ahead 17-3.
Soaks slowly worked back downfield with both sides suffering handling problems in the occasional heavy rain, although a sudden downpour did not prevent prop Damien Elton kicking a 30 metre penalty goal after 13 minutes when a Perth player picked up loose ball from an offside position. Elton added a second from a wider angle three minutes later when Perth came in the side of a ruck and Soaks inched back within striking distance at 17-9.
Hohapata failed to respond after 22 minutes with a moderate goal attempt after a late tackle but Perth stayed on attack when Soaks knocked on, and with 13 minutes to play wing Nathan Hunt shot down the blind side of a ruck and scored in the corner. The sideline conversion missed but Perth went ahead 22-9.
Soaks had slightly the better of territory in the closing stages but in a scrappy, slow game with the slippery ball hard to control, neither side made much headway until Soaks reserve back Byron Le Neury took a quick tap penalty 15 metres out and slipped through lethargic defence to score near the posts. Elton raised the flags with his conversion and at 22-16 another cliffhanger finish was on in the final five minutes.
But with time running out Perth kicked for position and despite several errors held on for a tough, gritty win.
At Tompkins Park, competition leaders Palmyra continued to dominate with a 32-24 win over second-placed Wanneroo.
Paly led 24-3 at half time but the injury-struck Roo-dogs lifted in the second spell to outscore the home side 21-8, but the damage had been done.
At Hartfield, resurgent reigning premiers Kalamunda leapt back into contention with a massive 41-5 hiding of fourth-placed Cottesloe. At Lark Hill, Rockingham edged University 22-21 and at Sir Charles Court Reserve, Nedlands continued Wests-Subiaco's miserable season with a huge 79-5 flogging.
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