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Nedlands returned to contention with a hard-fought 25-17 win over a valiant Kalamunda at Hartfield today, the bonus point win sending them into the top four of the WA club rugby competition, sponsored by KWIK Crane and Transport Hire.
Kalamunda dominated much of first half play but not the scoring, the Royal Blues leading 15-7 at the break. The Bulls made good on their enterprise early in the second spell and led 17-15 briefly, but faded in the later stages as Neddies came back to wrap up the game with two late tries.
After ten minutes of spirited and even play, Nedlands opened the scoring when lock Tyson Takiari found a gaping hole from a tap kick and strode through to score midway between the posts and the sideline. Centre Mike Denton's conversion attempt was woeful but the Royal Blues led 5-0.
However Denton's second kick, a more difficult penalty goal after 15 minutes, was flawless as the visitors built an early 8-0 lead.
But Kalamunda went onto attack and from a crooked Nedlands lineout throw, gained a premium opportunity in the opposition 22. The ball went wide, the wing passed back into fullback Deon Berryman and he shot through on the angle to score beside the posts. Flanker Kyle Skiba had no trouble with the conversion and a close first half was reflected in the 8-7 score after 25 minutes.
Kalamunda dominated territory for the rest of the half, demolishing Neddies' scrum while the visitors helped out with a string of ruck offences. But Neddies regrouped and after a series of rucks on Kalamunda's line, halfback Nathan Roberts nipped in beside the posts for a try. Denton did the honours and Nedlands took a 15-7 lead into the break, a little against the run of play.
The second spell opened with five minutes of to and fro on the half way line but then Kalamunda went onto attack, Skiba kicking a handy penalty goal in the 22 for obstruction after seven minutes.
The Bulls stayed on attack, pummelling Neddies’ line from a penalty lineout until they gained a free kick, and massive hooker Jarrod Hireme barrelled over beside the posts. Skiba converted the sitter and the Bulls took a one point, 17-15 lead after 14 minutes.
The lead was short-lived as Neddies working back downfield, and from a free kick the ball went blind where wing Warren Black dived into the corner for the try after 20 minutes to retake the lead 20-17.
Nedlands received a stern warning after their third high tackle but Skiba missed the angled 35 metre penalty after 27 minutes, and the Royal Blues took control of territory as the half wound down, pinning the Bulls in their 22. Personnel changes in both packs reversed the scrum dominance as Neddies pushed the Bulls off the ball.
Kalamunda had one last chance when Berryman broke free and set up a series of attacking phases in Neddies' 22 but the visitors turned over possession and raced downfield where reserve wing Cody Cole scored in the corner. The sideline conversion missed but the game ended a minute later with Nedlands safely ahead 25-17 to win their sixth game on the trot.
At Allen Park, third-placed Cottesloe defeated Associates 30-10 to dump Soaks from the top four while at Tompkins Park in arguably the boilover of the season, seventh-placed Rockingham upset competition leaders Palmyra 22-21 on their home ground.
At Pat O'Hara Reserve, Perth-Bayswater were competitive early and trailed by two points going into the second half, but then Wanneroo hit top gear to run out clear winners 30-17, while at Rosalie Park the young Wests-Subiaco team finally had reason to celebrate for their first win of the season, over University 16-11.
http://rugbywa.com.au/news/article,56050.html
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