Fleet sails past East Coast

Fleet sails past East Coast
23/09/2007 8:39:16 PM
Adam Lucius

In-form Sydney Fleet fullback Gavin Debartolo has collected a try and five goals to help sink a 14-man East Coast outfit 40-7 in round seven of the Mazda ARC at North Sydney Oval.

The Aces trailed 7-28 when flyhalf Ben Lucas was sent from the field following a spear tackle on Fleet half-back Nathan Sievert. But even with a full quota of players, the Aces were struggling to contain the Debartolo-led hosts.

The shaven-headed custodian collected 15 points and provided a calming influence at the back as the Fleet made it two wins in a row. His contribution went a long way to ensuring the Fleet picked up the bonus point victory they needed to keep them in the semi-final picture.

The win shifted the Sydney side into fourth spot with one round remaining.
Both teams failed to respect possession in the early stages, with frequent turnovers marring the spectacle.

But once the passes started to stick, East Coast looked the more dangerous and was the first to score when Curtis Franks and Jade Ingham combined to send skipper Ben Mowen over after 18 minutes.

Dual international Andrew Walker landed the conversion but the lead was to be brief. Fleet winger Alfred Mafi struck back almost immediately with a converted try to lock it up at 7-all.

The home side was in again seven minutes later, Debartolo getting on the outside of his man and sending winger Junior Puroku over.

Debartolo slotted the extras from wide out and Sydney led for the first time 14-7. Debartolo was in the thick of the action again just before the break, serving up a lovely ball for centre Tom Azar to race away and dive over. The conversion took Fleet out to a 21-7 half-time lead.

The Debartolo Show continued two minutes after the break when he streaked away for a 30m try and then landed the goal from the sideline for a 28-7 advantage.

Morgan Turinui crossed for a try in the 59th and unselfishly offloaded for Arthur Little to complete the scoring in the 78th minute.

Sydney 40
Tries: Mafi, Puroku, Azar, Debartolo, Turinui, Little
Conversions: Debartolo 5

East Coast 7
Try: Mowen
Conversion: Walker