Kalamunda Club Report, Round 2

It was a perfect day for rugby when the injury ravaged LJ Hooker Kalamunda Bulls hosted Nedlands at Hartfield Park on Saturday. A good home crowd turned out in anticipation of a Bulls win; however they were ultimately disappointed when Nedlands were too strong running out winners 53-0.

The Bulls went into the game with seven of their Premier side unavailable due to injury and this was reflected in the disjointed early stages. Strong Bull’s attacking was foiled with the Nedlands defense rearranging itself well to counter the Kalamunda thrusts.

Nedlands kicking game time and time again turned around the Kalamunda team and put Nedlands onto attack. Nedlands forwards provided a solid platform from which their backs had a plethora of opportunities in the midfield. Only great cover defense by the loose forwards of Kalamunda prevented them running amok but still they scored when bringing extra men into the line to stretch the defense.

Kalamunda lost their lock on half time, resulting in a rearrangement of the scrum that lost its power for the rest of the match. At half time Nedlands led 24-0.

Starting the second half Kalamunda had lifted again, but again their inability to control possession provided Nedlands with plenty of ball to attack at will. Centres Conan Tutara and Darren King had their hands full as wave after wave of Nedlands players battered the mid field. The end result was like trying to plug a dam with your thumb and the flow was too great for the Kalamunda defenders.

A very tired team and frustrated supporters had little to be happy about when the referee blew the whistle for fulltime with Nedlands winning 53-0.

Standing tall for the Kalamunda team was Jardine Puki, best on ground, who tackled everything standing but the grass, Ingram brothers Callum and Finnbar who never surrendered and Brent Walker who shone early in attack and defense.

Other results on the day saw the Reserve Grade and Colts both go down to Nedlands, 39-8 and 22-0 respectively and 3rd Grade beat Bunbury 22 – 10.