0
It's early in the season to be talking about the competition's dream contest, but with Cottesloe and Nedlands sitting on top of the table and playing a class of rugby more normally seen in the finals, raised expectations are not unreasonable when the two teams meet on Saturday at Harvey Field in the RugbyWA club competition, sponsored by KWIK Crane and Transport Hire.
The teams are neck and neck on 19 competition points each, Cottesloe having a slight percentage advantage accrued from more points scored for; while Nedlands has the benefit of fewer points scored against.
More importantly, both teams are playing fluid and polished games that seem to be continuing seamlessly from their performances in the 2009 finals – Cottesloe as premiers and Neddies as the best performed team of the second round.
Wanneroo, 2009 finalists and probable contenders again this season, were the measuring stick for both sides in the opening two games of the season.
Cottesloe blew the Roo-dogs off the pitch with an opening half of slick, smooth rugby to lead 17-0 at the break in game one at Harvey Field. Wanneroo came back with an aggressive second half but it wasn't enough to stop the Seagulls taking an impressive 28-21 win.
A week later Nedlands looked even better, sizzling past the Roo-dogs 41-7 at Kingsway. Neddies led 23-0 at half time but completely dominated the second spell, their pocket battleship flankers running the massive Wanneroo pack ragged all over the park.
Perth rugby fans have every right to expect an intriguing, electrifying battle when the competition's leading sides meet this Saturday on the Seagull's home turf.
Cottesloe's trademark in 2009 was its powerful forward pack that regularly dominated the set piece. Flyhalf Dave Cloete was the weapon of choice in the back line, expertly combining deadly kicking accuracy with slippery running in close. This year Cott have added quick and skilled young wing Nathan Hunt to a lineup running with impressive cohesion.
Nedlands have more losses than gains in players this season, and had key players missing with injury when they sliced and diced Wanneroo. It can only be a worry to other teams in the competition that Neddies should be so good in such a state, and worse, improve in the games ahead.
Nedlands converted flyhalf Mike Denton slotted eight goals from nine attempts against Wanneroo and new centre James Dougall was electrifying in the midfield.
Cottesloe might be counting on winning first phase possession but containing Neddies' livewire loosies might prove to be the difference between winning and losing. Both teams have skill and speed out wide, and neither team should count on an advantage in goal kicking so discipline will be vital in a season where the referees have been particularly severe on transgressions.
It's early days, as both Ian Fowler of Cottesloe and the Nedlands brains trust of Tom Fearn, Tony Ball, Dave McKnight and Steve McCulloch will be aware, and not too much should be read into this result. The return fixture in mid-July will be much more important, providing both teams maintain their momentum. But it's rare that two teams should be playing to such a high standard at this stage of the year, and that should make for a fascinating contest. Also, no one should completely discount the importance of the psychological advantage of drawing first blood in this top of the table clash.
In other games, Wanneroo will still be trying to instil some continuity into their season when they meet Rockingham at Lark Hill, Perth Bayswater will be desperate for their first win of the season against University at Pat O'Hara Reserve, Palmyra face a vital test when they meet unbeaten Kalamunda in the weekend's other heavyweight contest at Tompkins Park, and Associates will be wary of a young Wests-Subiaco team on a high at Allen Park.
-Rick Boyd
http://rugbywa.com.au/news/article,58223.html
Reply With Quote
