2007 Round 1, Bulls v University
Kalamunda Districts Rugby Union Club kicked off the 2007 season in style, winning in all grades against University in the first round of the RugbyWA Home Building Society Competition.
Earlier in the day the Kalamunda Colts edged out University in a thriller 13-12, before Kalamunda’s mighty Fourth Grade showed some good early season form with a well earned 24-15 victory over the students. Kalamunda Second Grade set the scene for a whitewash when it battered University with physical and confrontational rugby finishing 15-5 ahead on the ledger at the end. The Kalamunda Premier side completed the clean sweep when it handed out a lesson in skilful running rugby to the scholars. The Premiers picked up a vital bonus point in their 31-10 demolition of the students to currently sit at the top of the competition table.
The Kalamunda Bulls blitzed the Greens in the first half with a mesmerizing exhibition of attacking rugby. The Bulls used early possession to maximum advantage, stringing several early raids on the University goal line. Kalamunda converted the good field position with some robust forward play, and Merv Kiel dotted down for the bulls first.
From the restart Kalamunda surged back into the University half. Dynamic halfback Charles Henry found himself at the end of a sweeping backline movement and busted through an inept Greens defence to put Kalamunda ahead 12-0. Further tries to powerhouse lock Anthony Kacimaiwai and dazzling outside centre Dave Kara secured the bonus point early in the piece for the rampaging bulls. The effervescent Dion Berryman kicked 3 from 4 conversion attempts and Kalamunda turned around 26-3 up at the break.
The second half was a more dour affair. University succumbed to the Bulls pack and opted for uncontested scrums, effectively muzzling a dominant red and black eight. University scored a seven pointer early in the second half to narrow the margin to 26-10.
Kalamunda, reasserted its dominance in all phases of play but neither side scored for a lengthy period. The drought ended when Kalamunda captain, Matt Peachy, capped off yet another sterling performance crossing for Kalamunda’s only points of the second half and sealing victory for the Bulls.
The win places Kalamunda at the top of the Home Building Society Competition table just ahead of Perth Bayswater, Palmyra, Rockingham & Wests on the strength of a single bonus point. Kalamunda squares off with pre-season competition favourites Palmyra in a crucial tie at Hartfield Park this Saturday.
