Perth-Bayswater
Rugby Union Football Club
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Perth-Bayswater Rugby Union Football Club |
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| ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING |
| 12 November 2006 |
The Annual General Meeting of the Perth Bayswater Rugby Union Football Club will be held on Thursday, 23 November 2006 at the Clubrooms, Pat O’Hara Reserve (formerly Morley Reserve), Cnr Walter Road & Wellington Road, Morley. Time: 6:30 registration for 7:00 PM start
The ordinary business to be transacted at the annual general meeting shall be:
Formal apologies should be addressed to the Secretary before the meeting.
Minutes of the 2005 AGM (PDF 86 kB)
| PRE-SEASON STARTS NOW |
| 18 September 2006 |
By now everyone who attended the meeting held at the rugby club should have recieved an email from JT outlining the offer from Bayswater Waves. It's an unbeatable deal and for anyone serious about getting ready for next year, now is the time to start. If you require further details, please contact any of the coaches to get on the email list for updates.
| AWARDS NIGHT |
| 12 September 2006 |
Gloucester Park was once again graced with the presence of Perth-Bayswater Rugby Union Club's award night. Once again everyone outdid themselves and proved that we are a classy outfit both on and off the field. This year Jason Bastaja, the rugby poet of previous years, stepped up to the microphone as the MC.
After much back slapping, cheek kissing and many variations of the common handshake we were ushered to our seats to get the proceedings underway. The food was plentiful and delicious, and with the alcohol flowing freely it was time for the business end of the night to get underway...
The man of the night was surely Eugene Maxwell, being asked to make his way to the front of the room no fewer than four times. Eugene received the Player's Player, Best Forward, First Grade Best and Fairest and the Courage and Commitment Award. Eugene was also the winner of the JJ Guthrie Award.
Another major highlight of the night was the announcement that Perth-Bayswater has a major sponsor from next season in Members' Equity. With the formalities out of the way it was time to party. Entertainment was provided by none other that JT's wife Jacque.
Thanks to everyone involved in organising, and to those who attended for another fantastic night out!
| BAYSIE WOMAN TAKES OUT TOP AWARD |
| 9 September 2006 |
The Sue Roberts Medal is awarded to the fairest and best player each year in the women's competition.
In 2006, our own Puawai Hohepa (Honks) was named the Sue Roberts Medal winner. Honks, the flyhalf, was instrumental in the team winning the Minor Premiership undefeated and making the Grand Final.
| FIFTHS FADE IN FINALS |
| 26 August 2006 |
Fifth Grade got pipped at the post 13-12 in their semi-final against Curtin, ending this year's gallant attempt by the team to make the grand final. With a makeshift backline, due to injuries and holidays (yes, some players go on holiday during finals time), we were always going to struggle for cohesion in the backs. Things started off OK with the forwards providing a steady flow of ball and the defence holding up well against Curtin's young backline, who looked dangerous all day.
Perth scored first from a lose ball that was picked up and fed to a rampaging Handsome Danny Vella, who dived over to score. We were unlucky not to have scored two more times in the first half but were penalised for a double movement on one and a poor final pass on the second caused the ball to go to ground with the line open. Curtin managed a penalty right on half time to go to the break trailing 5-3.
The second half got underway with Perth knowing they needed to score first if they stood any chance of winning the game against a more youthful Curtin side, and George "Toots" Tutuvaha sparked the team into attack when he made a huge break downfield before offloading to the support. The ball was charged repeatedly at Curtin's line until the lads finally broke through with a try to Daniel "Curly" Curlew, who emerged with the ball from under a pile of bodies (poor kid having lumps like Cliff, Japie, Tom, Andy, Finky and Copper on top of him). This try was converted by Dwain "The Train" Barr for a 12-3 lead. We then started to struggle as injuries, age and vanity started to take their toll. First we lost Bert "Two Left Feet" Bothwell when he tripped over his own two feet. Then we lost Handsome Danny who could not play on due to a sore shoulder and a graze to his face which was affecting his good looks. As the team started to fade Curtin launched a late surge which resulted in two tries in the last ten minutes to snatch a one point win over an exhausted Perth side.
Curtin's website said it all -- "Perth tried everything to slow the game down and waste time in the last ten minutes but it seems that Father Time himself has finally caught up with a few of them". I don't know what they were getting at. I made a quick calculation and came up with an average age of only 41 years old for our forward pack and 56 years old for the three forward reserves who were on day release from the nursing home.
Finally on behalf of the team we would like to farewell Steve Fink, who at sixty years of age has decided to hang up his boots. It has been a pleasure and a privilege for us all to have played in the same team as "Finky" over the last decade or so. PS -- the team will retreat to "Camp Westaway" in October for an in-depth evaluation of the season by rugby guru Peter Westaway, who will, with the help of a lot of beer, convince the players that they are the greatest team ever and need to play on in 2007 as their wives, familes, girlfriends etc don't want them hanging around at home on Saturday afternoons getting under their feet.
| FIFTHS SCUTTLE ARKS |
| 19 August 2006 |
One down and two to go was the call from the victorious fifth grade after a 22–0 win over Arks in the first semi-final. Perth suffered a defeat to Arks a few weeks ago when they had to play undermanned so with a full strength forward pack available for this final it was payback time.
It was the forwards who paved the way for this win with a total domination of Arks pack right from the start. They shoved Arks off their ball from the first scrum, then proceeded to win a heap of Arks throws into the lineout. The rolling maul made heaps of ground while sapping up a lot of Arks energy. What little ball Arks got was moved quickly away from the forwards to their backs, but this was shut down by the Perth backline who were solid in defence all day.
The first points of the day came from a penalty goal to Shane “Public” Barr, who also converted tries by Darren “Copper” Horne and Handsome Danny Vella, while Bert "Two left Feet" Bothwell's went unconverted. It was fitting that all the tries were scored by the forwards as their performance in this match was one of the best that I have seen in the many seasons I have been associated with this team. Well done Andy and the rest of the pack. I look forward to a similar performance this weekend against Curtin and hopefully after that in the grand final against Neddies.
| FURTHER FINALIST FELLED |
| 12 August 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater easily put paid to Palmyra as only poor kicking from the home team saved second-placed Palmyra the indignity of a more than 20-point loss in their Home Building Society rugby union match at Pat O’Hara Reserve on Saturday. Two late tries to Palmyra put some respectability in the final score of 18-12 in a game in which Perth-Bayswater dominated both territory and possession. Ravaged by injury, Perth-Bayswater played with a reshuffled forward pack and backline yet the loose forwards Eugene Maxwell, Mike Murphy and regular hooker Ash Murphy slotted in to number eight quickly took charge of the breakdown, stealing much of Palmyra’s possession.
Perth-Bayswater’s first points came from the first of many ruck and maul infringements as Palmyra’s forward pack wilted under constant pressure. First five-eighth Matt Sefton’s kick was to be the only success Perth-Bayswater would have from the boot for the day. With regular goal-kicker Jock Stanley absent to Western Force Gold duties, Perth-Bayswater battled strong cross-winds as a succession of goal-kickers sprayed the ample penalty opportunities that Palmyra provided. Perth-Bayswater’s tight five revelled in their supremacy as all took turns in carrying the ball across the gain line with front rowers Beau Tume, Tua Patu and Dane Taingauhue bashing inroads into the Palmyra forward pack. Eventually number eight Ash Murphy made a strong break leaving three Palmyra tacklers in his wake before offloading to centre Shaun Tamehana who touched down in the corner. Soon after, with Perth-Bayswater back in attack, Sefton launched a probing kick onto the Palmyra tryline and as the Palmyra winger botched the simple task of touching the ball down for a 22-meter drop-out kick, Sefton followed through and claimed his first try for the season. Trailing 13-0 and rarely spending time in their opponents half, Palmyra looked, like the ancient Syrian city their club is named after, to be in ruins as simple mistakes crept in to their play and the penalty count rose.
The second half started much the same as the first had left off with Palmyra giving up penalties and Perth-Bayswater preferring to take them as even the misses left Palmyra defending a 22-meter drop-out. Palmyra found some heart in its defensive line as they stopped short several attacking runs at their tryline until halfback Curtis Maclean dummied from the back of a ruck and popped himself over the line for Perth-Bayswater’s third try. With the game three-quarters finished, Palmyra finally made some use of its possession with several probing runs in the outside backs revealing some defensive weaknesses in Perth-Bayswater’s cobbled-together backline. Two quick tries to the visitors later, Perth-Bayswater found its stride again and was unlucky not to score a fourth try of its own after center PJ Pittman took a pass a full speed but was cut down just short of the try line.
Coach John Taylor said he was rapt with his team’s performance to end a season of tremendous improvement for Perth-Bayswater in which they managed to beat many teams for the first time in several years and Nedlands was the only team they were unable to beat. Although the first and second grades’ seasons have finished, Perth-Bayswater’s other teams — the women, under 19s and fourth and fifth grade — will all compete in the finals. The women and under 19s won their minor premierships, the women without losing a game and conceding just 36 points. In other games against Palmyra on Saturday, the second grade lost 8-29, the fourth grade went down 3-10 and the under 19s won 50-7. The women celebrated a 36-0 win over Kalamunda.
| PERTH AMBUSHED BY WESTS |
| 5 August 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater blew a 16-0 lead to eventually lose to defending premier Wests-Subiaco 26-16 in today's Home Building Society match at Rosalie Park. Perth dominated the first half and locked Wests in their own territory but conceded two tries against the run of play just before half time. Wests turned the tables in the second spell but despite hogging territory and possession, could squeeze only a try and penalty past the dogged Perth-Bayswater defence.
Perth-Bayswater pinned the defending premier in their half in the opening five minutes, aided by a string of Wests' knock ons. Six minutes in Wests were penalised for not releasing and Perth lock Jock Stanley goaled from 35 metres. Perth went back on attack and almost scored from a turnover after 13 minutes but wing Wayne Salter was bundled into touch just short. Instead Stanley kicked a simple goal after Wests dived over the ruck. Stanley added a booming 40 metre goal when Wests were caught offside at a ruck after 20 minutes. From the kick off, Salter grabbed an intercept and sprinted 50 metres to score under the bar. Stanley converted the sitter and the boys in black leapt ahead 16-0. Wests broke out briefly to pressure Perth's line with a series of phases but again turned over. Perth flyhalf Matt Sefton kept Wests' guessing with tactical kicking and his loose forwards mauled strongly, but Wests flyhalf managed a penalty goal for offside after 30 minutes. Just before half time Wests came back on attack and gained a turnover close to Perth's line. The ball went wide to find Wests' prop impersonating a wing for a try in the corner. The conversion failed but Wests were straight back on attack, running the ball down the touch line and passing back in to the centre for a try close to the posts. It was converted and Wests trailed 16-15 going into the break.
Wests turned the territorial tables early in the second half, locking Perth in their half and threatening with penetrative attacking runs. They turned the pressure into points with a penalty goal for not releasing 14 minutes into the spell, and Wests took the lead for the first time at 18-16. Perth-Bayswater errors helped keep Wests on attack but Wests couldn't capitalise and the score remained close going into the final 20. Wests kept hammering away and with ten minutes to play their right wing scored on the blind after a 5 metre scrum. Wests missed the conversion but not the penalty 3 minutes later when Perth were caught offside in defence, Wests going ahead 26-16. Perth-Bayswater finished with a late flourish but couldn't add to the scoring.
Fifth Grade secured a spot in the finals with a 43–18 victory over Southern Lions at Murdoch University on Saturday. Struggling for numbers again this week the team was grateful to Gaz and Tom who filled in at short notice, allowing the team to take the field with fifteen players.
The Lions were hard on attack straight from the whistle and with the wind at their backs they kept Perth pinned in their own half for the first ten minutes. The pressure soon yielded a penalty which the Lions popped over for a 3-0 led. The kick-off allowed Perth to finally get out of their own half and some quick hands in the backs soon saw Dallas “The Star” Godlieb race in for the opening try and a lead of 7-3. This lead was short lived and the Lions stormed back in front with a big break from their number 8 being finished off by their backs for an 8-7 lead. Perth was playing very poor rugby up until this with much of our ball being turned over because of our own mistakes. Gaz was having none of this and took it upon himself to score a brilliant try to put the fifths back in front. This seemed to change the course of the game in Perth’s favor and soon the boys in black piled on the points to take the game out of the Lions' reach, even though they scored two late tries. Point scorers on the day were Gaz 2 tries, Tom, Dallas, Fridge and Public 1 try each, with Public adding five conversions and a penalty goal.
| PERTH TAME UNRULY ROO-DOGS |
| 29 July 2006 |
Poor finishing by Wanneroo saved Perth-Bayswater from embarrassment as the visitors blew several scoring chances in the second half of their Home Building Society match at Pat O'Hara Reserve on Saturday. Wanneroo scored two tries to Perth-Bayswater's one but the kicking of Perth second-rower Jonathon Stanley gave Perth the 16-10 win.
Perth-Bayswater started the game fiercely, taking Wanneroo apart in the forwards with a strong scrum and pick and drive play. Stanley registered the first points of the game after Wanneroo conceded a penalty directly in front of its goal. Soon after, Perth-Bayswater drove forward again, with loose forwards Mike Murphy and Cameron Stonely playing a strong hand in a series of rucks. Halfback Curtis MacLean ran the ball from the back of the ruck before offloading to Stanley who scored the try and conversion to put Perth 10-0 up. However, after weathering the initial storm, Wanneroo fought back, running the ball at Perth-Bayswater with every chance they got and they were rewarded with a try before half time.
In the second half, Wanneroo had the run of play, attacking strongly and looking constantly dangerous. Perth-Bayswater managed to kick two penalties to take six points from the half while Wanneroo had several try-scoring opportunities but was only able to capitalise once. First five-eighth Matt Sefton put in a solid second half performance and his tactical kicking frequently got Perth-Bayswater out of danger. The outstanding performer for Perth-Bayswater was flanker Cameron Stonely who has been promoted to first grade from under 19s.
Coach John Taylor felt his team hadn't played well but was grateful for the win. "Ugly wins are better than ugly losses," he said. He also bemoaned a lack of depth in the squad as many players were absent due to injury.
In other games, the second grade lost to Wanneroo 0-22, the under 19s lost to ARKs 32-15, and the women continued unbeaten with a 48-0 win over Wanneroo.
Fifth Grade took on top-of-the-ladder Curtin at Morley on Saturday. Having suffered a depletion of players due to injury, fifth grade was grateful to Chief and the other few lads from the fourth grade who stood by for us this week. Perth was straight into the action this week and was soon rewarded for the great start with a penalty goal to Shane "Public" Barr for a 3-0 lead. With the forward pack on fire this week the supply of ball just kept coming and Curtin had no answer to the likes of Clifton , Copper and Tom The Desert Madman" Lynch who kept driving the ball forward. It wasn't long before Darren "Copper" Horne crashed over for the first try of the match. This was followed by another six tries before the end of the game with the following players scorign tries: Chief (2), Fridge (2), Tom, Copper and Public, with Public adding one penalty and 4 conversions.
The try of the match was hard to pick but in the end you can't go past when Aaron " Ralph" Martin fielded the ball just outside his twenty two. Aaron headed of up field, beating nine or ten Curtin defenders before finally offloading on Curtin's 22 to "Madman" Lynch, who fed the ball quickly to Fridge, who beat the last five defenders that Aaron had missed to dot down next to the posts. Curtin managed a couple of tries late in the second half to gain a bit of self respect but the game was already lost.
| PERTH LOSE PENALTY FEST |
| 23 July 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater first grade lost 34-14 to Cottesloe on Saturday in a stop-start Building Society competition match at Morley Reserve, dominated by the constant whistling of referee Sean Popplewell. Perth lacked urgency and made too many errors, and were outscored three tries to one. But it was the lopsided penalty count that blew Cott's score out -- and it could have been worse, with the Seagulls fullback missing four easy kicks. Perth dominated territory early and opened strongly in the second spell, and handed out some impressive scrum damage to the Seagulls pack, but failed to stamp its authority on the game and conceded territory and possession for most of the match.
Perth-Bayswater pinned Cottesloe inside its half for ten minutes and was hard on attack 15 minutes in when Cottesloe intercepted a loose pass, running and kicking toward Perth's line. Perth conceded a penalty and the Seagulls fullback converted the sitter. Perth went back on the offensive and five minutes later won a penalty for offside, after being held up over the line, lock Jock Stanley converted and it was 3-3 after 20 minutes. But Perth was soon defending its line and after a poor drop out, Cott spun the ball wide and ran 20 metres down the far touch line to score. The Seagulls stayed on attack, helped by Perth errors, and dominated the later stages of the half, but the Cottesloe fullback missed four penalty kicks as tempers frayed during some heated exchanges.
The niggle continued as the second half opened and Perth went onto attack, two massive scrums leaving the Seagulls pack in disarray. The home side turned over possession in Cott's 22 but the Seagulls fumbled the clearing kick and Perth blindside flanker Eugene Maxwell scooped up the ball and scored near the posts. The conversion failed and the game was all square at 8-8. From the restart Cott rushed the Perth line and after two phases cut through weak defence on the blind to score. The fullback converted from a moderate angle and Cott led 15-8 after 12 minutes. Stanley replied with two penalty kicks but Cott continued to dominate territory and benefit from the referee's constant whistle, adding four penalty kicks. Then Cott's pack had its revenge with a tighthead in the last five minutes, but passed the ball forward with a two man overlap. A Perth defender tripped trying to field an up and under and Cottesloe regathered to score under the bar and convert for a runaway 34-14 score, and the match finished minutes later.
Coach John Taylor had no excuses after the game, and said that Cottesloe played the better rugby and deserved the win.
In other games, second grade defeated Cottesloe 15-12, fourths thrashed Cottesloe 55-5 and Under 19s had the bye.
Fifth Grade was defeated by a fired up Arks side 29–14 at John Dunn Oval on Saturday. Playing away from the rest of the club, an undermanned team was forced to start the game with only fourteen men. The last few weeks have seen a number of injuries take its toll on the mighty fifths with no fewer than six players being out of action, plus four further players being away which was the cause of Saturday's shortage of players. Fifth grade didn’t take the easy way out by forfeiting the match and took the field short until “Porky” Sefton arrived ten minutes after kick off.
Arks scored first to take the lead 7-0 but a brawl started and two Perth players and one Arks player got to spend ten minutes in the sin bin. Being one man down again didn’t stop the lads in black and soon a special piece of magic from “Chachi” on Arks' inside backs saw him scoop up a loose ball, which he dotted down next to the posts for Phil "The Legend of the Valleys” Oliver to convert for a 7-7 score. This was followed up soon after by another piece of individual brilliance when Dallas "The Star” Godlieb picked up another loose ball by Arks and then sprinted fifty metres to score under the posts, which was converted by “The Legend” for a 14-7 lead. Unfortunately we let Arks in for another soft try to go to half time at 14 all.
The second half saw Arks take their opportunities to score two more tries while an injury-plagued Perth side struggled to come to grips with the ref’s decisions against them, while not taking the few chances to score when they were offered. Finally we would like to take the opportunity to wish Guy and Paul, who sustained season-ending injuries last week against Mandurah, all the best and a speedy recovery.
| BLACK SHOW CLASS AT UNI |
| 14 July 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater used its forward strength to score three unanswered tries in the first half and set up a 28-11 win against University at McGillivray Oval in its Home Building Society rugby union match on Saturday. The bonus-point win lifts Perth-Bayswater to fifth place on the ladder.
Perth-Bayswater started the game strongly, playing to its strengths in the forwards and using the set pieces to give the backs, led by Nathan McCort at first five-eighth, ample front-foot ball. A penalty kicked by second-rower Jonathon Stanley gave Perth-Bayswater a three-point lead and the first try followed soon after. Perth-Bayswater’s forwards ran the ball close to the ruck and, in a series of phases, systematically drove the University defence back from outside their 22-metre line until Perth-Bayswater halfback Curtis MacLean took the ball over for a try, which Stanley converted. University began to win more ball and played to their own strength, with their backline running at every opportunity. They were rewarded with a penalty and were unlucky not to come away with a try soon after. Winning more possession from set pieces, centres Shaun Tamehana and PJ Pittman were both able to break through University’s defence before the ball was slipped to winger Wayne Slater who carried the ball over the tryline. Soon after, a run from Pittman set up a maul outside University’s 22-metre line. With University’s defences in disarray, Nathan McCort spread the ball to flanker Eugene Maxwell who took two defenders with him before popping the ball to Slater who had come off the left wing to join the movement, creating an overlap and putting winger Josh Walkers into space to score Perth-Bayswater’s third try. University rallied to score a penalty soon after but trailed 6-20 at half time.
University dominated possession during the early stages of the second half and Perth-Bayswater spent much of the first 20 minutes of the half defending or running the ball out of defence. The deadlock was eventually broken by a drop goal to Nathan McCort but University’s attack was finally rewarded with a try shortly after. Fullback Jules Dunn, and McCort made inroads into University’s defence before Pittman gave the ball to flanker Eugene Maxwell who ran through three University tackles to score Perth-Bayswater’s fourth try to give the men in black a bonus point and put the game beyond doubt.
In other games against University, the second grade lost 46-7 while the fourth grade won 31-14 and the under 19s won on forfeit. The fifth grade lost to Mandurah 31-7 while the women had another large win, beating Cottesloe 59-0.
| ROCKY DO POORLY AT MORLEY |
| 7 July 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater powered over Rockingham to score seven tries on their way to a 39-5 win in their Home Building Society rugby union match at Pat O'Hara Reserve on Saturday.
The men in black got straight down to business with the forward pack forcing Rockingham to back-pedal from the kick-off and within two minutes from the start of play, flanker Mike Murphy charged down a Rockingham kick and regathered the ball to score Perth-Bayswater's first try. Loose forwards Murphy, Eugene Maxwell and Kereopa Pirikahu took the ball up to the weaker Rockingham pack before first five-eighth Nathan McCort put centre Shaun Tamehana into space to score under the posts. The conversion by second rower Jonathon Stanley gave Perth a 12-0 lead. While the forward pack has been Perth-Bayswater's mainstay all season, the backline put in its best performance of the season, spreading the ball wide and frequently breaking through Rockingham's line. Perth-Bayswater took a 22-5 lead in to half-time.
The young side of the competition, Rockingham has fallen away since a strong start to the season but they refused to lie down after half-time, forcing Perth-Bayswater to spend the first 20 minutes of the half defending before they got back on top, pushing Rockingham back up the field before crossing their try line. Continued pressure gave the home team two tries in quick succession in the last 10 minutes to take the final score to 39-5. The bonus-point win puts seventh-placed Perth-Bayswater in a position to rise another two places with games against fifth-placed University and sixth-placed Cottesloe in the next weeks.
In other games, the second grade came from behind to steal the game from Rockingham 27-24, while the fourth grade also beat Rockingham 16-5. The women's team continued their unbeaten run, eclipsing University 62-0 and the fifth grade drew to Nedlands 10-10.
| HALF MEASURES FOR NEDDIES |
| 2 July 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater dominated for the first half of their Home Building Society competition match against Nedlands at Morley Reserve today, and led 8-7 at the break, but could not match the slick back line combinations of the new competition leaders in the second spell and fell away to lose 33-15.
Perth opened in an aggressive mood and locked Nedlands in their half early, gaining a tighthead with a massive scrum heave, lock Jock Stanley kicking a penalty after ten minutes. Nedlands rebounded to pressure Perth's line but poor hands cost them. Perth worked back down the field and humiliated Neddies with another crushing tighthead. When Neddies knocked on in defence, Perth ran four phases before cutting back on the blind and wing PJ Pittman scored in the corner to lead 8-0 after 25 minutes. Nedlands went back on attack and after Perth fumbled the ball in goal, Neddies ran a move from the scrum,their blindside wing cutting into the back line and wrong footing the Perth defence to score under the bar. Neddies converted the sitter and were one point adrift after 30 minutes.
Perth took the 8-7 lead into the break, but Nedlands lifted in the early stages of the second spell, running multiple phases at Perth's line and stretching their defence until their right wing slipped through on the angle to score untouched. Neddies converted, going ahead 14-8 after five minutes. They were right back into it from the restart, mixing smart kicking with smooth running combinations until their center scored on a two man overlap. They converted the moderate chance and Neddies leapt ahead 21-8 after 12 minutes. Nedlands dominated territory and possession as the half unfolded, wide-ranging, running attack forcing Perth into a defensive role. A classic width of the field sweep from wing to wing brought another try 20 minutes into the spell in the corner. It was converted and Neddies were in charge at 28-8. Perth competed strongly in the forwards but lacked the backline combinations to match Neddies. On attack Perth struggled out wide but seemed reluctant to play to their strengths with pick and drives from their aggressive loose forwards. Perth battled hard to keep Nedlands scoreless mid way through the spell but then their halfback grabbed the the ball from a ruck by the sideline, caught the Perth defence off guard, and shot down the line with centimetres to move to score by the corner flag. The conversion from the sideline missed but at 33-8 it was one way traffic. The traffic reversed slightly in the closing stages as Perth rediscovered their loose forward game, driving the ball up and scoring when halfback Curtis McLean raced a quick try in from a tap penalty 15 metres out. Stanley converted from a difficult angle and the full time whistle followed the conversion.
In other grades, seconds lost 28-13, fourths defeated Bunbury 36-15 and Under 19s downed Nedlands Gold 28-0.
Fifth Grade defeated Midland 21–5. It was a late start for fifths, who are not used to a 3.30pm kick off and this may have contributed to an ordinary first half display by this normally well oiled machine (I say well oiled as by this time of the day the lads are usually comprehensively lubricated at the club bar).
The first half was a case of close but not close enough as both teams had their share of scoring chances but due to a combination of good defence, dropped ball and in one case the ref being unsighted, the only points of the first half came from a converted try by “The Fridge”, who broke through three tackles down the blindside to score. This was converted by Shane “Public” Barr for a 7–0 half time score.
The second half was as hard fought as the first, with Midland scoring a try from a Perth handling error near the line to close the gap to 7–5. But it was time for Handsome Danny Vella to star in a second half double effort, with the highlight being a try from a lovely driving maul after a lineout near Midland’s line. Both tries were converted, one each to Public and Phil ”The Legend of the Valleys” Oliver. Top performances of note this week came from “Lionel” Richie Johnston who was in Midland's face all day and “Chachi” who tackled hard all over the field.
Andy ”Mechanical Hooker” Keane received the “Handbag” award this week for his near try scoring effort. The forwards drove from a lineout in Midland's 22 and marched down the field, controlling the ball all the way. When they reached the try line Andy peeled of the side and crashed over the line for what everyone thought was the try of the day. Only problem was that the only person in a hundred meter radius who did not see this was the bloke who matters the most, the ref. While Andy proceeded to press down the ball multiple times while everyone screamed at the ref to look on the other side of the collapsed maul the ref continued to say I can’t see the ball grounded and awarded a scrum five meters out. Some spectators swear they saw a tear in Andy’s eye. Who said that referees are blind? They’re deaf too.
| COMPETITION LEADERS SANDBAGGED |
| 19 June 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater outplayed competition leaders Associates to pull off a 28-22 upset win in their Home Building Society rugby union match at Pat O’Hara Reserve on Saturday. Perth-Bayswater dominated Associates for the first 60 minutes of the game and it was a late fight-back from the visitors that put some respectability in the scoreline. Perth-Bayswater’s forward pack showed its huge potential, dominating set pieces and driving Associate's defences backwards with strong runs around the rucks and mauls. While the forwards chiselled away, the backs were ably fed by halfback Curtis Maclean. Big inside centre Shaun Tamehana used his strength in the tackle to commit two or three defenders each time he ran the ball, giving the rest of his team freedom to find space.
The first points of the match came from sustained pressure from the men in black after Associates gave away a penalty in a ruck and second-rower Jonathon Stanley kicked successfully. However, Associates bounced back and began to look dangerous with the ball in hand. Perth's defences were stretched and Soaks found an overlap out wide to run in an easy try and it looked as if Associates were gearing up to repeat their recent large victories over Perth-Bayswater. The Perth forwards did not allow Associates many more opportunities as they continued to win the set pieces and find gaps around the rucks and mauls. First, second-rower Mike Murphy found a gap and took a long run along the left touchline, and then, two phases later, in a brilliant individual piece of rugby, his second-row partner Jonathon Stanley broke through two tacklers and out-paced another three to run in Perth-Bayswater's first try, which he also converted to give the home team a 10-5 lead. Unable to find holes in Perth's defences, Associates reverted to a kicking game but this only resulted in giving inside centre Yusuke Nakagaki and fullback Jules Dunn room to run. A further penalty gave Perth-Bayswater a 13-5 lead at half time and another shortly after put them 16-5 up.
Perth-Bayswater dominated possession and territory for the next 20 minutes, with front rowers Dane Taingauhue, Ashley Murphy and Tua Patu running rampant in the loose and controlling the scrums. Eventually inside centre Tamehana bustled through two Associates tacklers and put fullback Jules Dunn into space to run in Perth-Bayswater's second try and give the home team a 23-5 lead. Associates hit back with a try but not long after this, flanker Eugene Maxwell gained territory with a hard run and Tamehana cut his way through for a try of his own. Associates had a late wind and camped on Perth-Bayswater's try line for five minutes, while desperate defence kept them out. Centre Nakagi pounced on loose ball and looked to have run Perth-Bayswater out of danger as he took play back to the centre-line but Soaks regained possession and took advantage of Perth's disorganised defences to run in a try. When Associates scored again shortly after, taking the score to 28-22, and continued to attack, there were fears Perth-Bayswater might yet again fold at the end of a game but the men in black held firm until the final whistle to beat Soaks for the first time since July 2002 and just the second time since Perth last won the premiership in 1996.
Coach John Taylor was particularly pleased with his team's success in the set-pieces. "We executed well at set piece – kick offs, line outs and scrums, and through that we were able to dictate how to play to a large extent," he said. "We had them under pressure with many forwards running wider, which exposed them." He said he was particularly pleased that the players' mentality was continuing to improve and would lead to them beating more of the top sides.
In other games against Associates, the second grade was unlucky to lose 14-18, fourth grade dominated their game to win 31-12. The under 19s beat ARKs 20-15 and the women remain undefeated with a win over Cottesloe.
| PERTH TRAMPLED BY BULLS |
| 12 June 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater was outplayed by a more passionate Kalamunda to lose 17-9 in their Home Building society rugby union match at Hartfield Park on Saturday. Kalamunda scored three tries as Perth-Bayswater was unable to cross their opponents' tryline, fumbling the ball or taking wrong options at all of their attacking chances. As ever, Perth-Bayswater's forwards provided a solid first phase platform and held the upper hand at set-pieces. However, the men in black struggled to maintain possession through more than a few phases of play as Kalamunda pillaged the breakdown of play to win the ball. Kalamunda's first try came as a result of poor tackling from Perth-Bayswater. Kalamunda did not convert and Perth-Bayswater was able to stay in touch with a penalty kicked by halfback Toby Hohapata. Aggressive runs from forwards Mike Murphy and Eugene Maxwell gained valuable territory for Perth-Bayswater but the team looked unlikely to break through the home side's defences, while Kalamunda crossed for a second unconverted try. A second penalty for Perth-Bayswater left the score at 10-6 at half time.
Kalamunda's third try came from a 20m drive by their forwards which set them up to break through gaps in Perth-Bayswater's defences. A penalty near the end of the game allowed Perth-Bayswater to close the gap but not enough to gain a bonus point for losing by less than seven. Second-rower Jonathon Stanley grafted hard all day to be the best of the forwards, and Perth-Bayswater's Japanese guest player Yusuke Nakagi tackled tirelessly all day at fullback.
Coach John Taylor lamented his charges' shortcomings during the game. “They outplayed us from the first minute to the last. They thoroughly deserved the victory,” he said. “It was no fluke, our guys have to look in the mirror. They failed to execute the basic skills of tackling, catching, running and passing.”
In other games against Kalamunda, the second grade lost 14-0, fourth grade won 21-0 and the colts also won 19-3. The fifth grade had a big win over Associates, 44-0. Perth-Bayswater now faces the challenge of a home game next week against competition leaders Associates.
Fabulous Fifth Grade made the trip down to AllEn Park to take on Associates in the weekend. Playing away from the rest of the club who were being hosted by Kalamunda the fifth grade were going to struggle for numbers and the dreaded A.B.T.M. flu [ All Blacks Test Match Flu] was also doing its rounds again. In the end we were able to throw together a team with a make shift backline to produce a 44–0 win with eight tries being scored with two conversions to Shane “Public” Barr. Try scorers were Handsome Danny Vella 2, Ian “The Rock” Hardwick, Dallas “The Star” Godlieb, Guy Meade, Japie, Lionel “Richie” Johnston and Noel “The Flying Fridge” Spittal who chipped in with one each.
It was good to finally see the Barr brothers back on the field together for the first time this season with the return of Dwain “The Train” Barr but this was short lived when Dwain had to leave the field after only twenty minutes with a broken hand to add to an already injury-plagued season. To make the day even worse for the Barr brothers, ”Public” was presented “The Handbag Award” for his pitiful effort of only converting two of the eight tries.
| PALY PIP PERTH |
| 5 June 2006 |
In first grade, Palmyra squeaked home over Perth 15-14. More details will become available but the carrier pigeon is out with a corked thigh and that's all we have to hand so far.
In other grades, Palmyra won seconds 38-8, fourth grade 20-0 but Perth won colts 36-7.
Fifth Grade managed to hang on for a 24–19 victory over Joondalup at Iluka Reserve on Saturday. Perth scored all its points in the first half, in which it managed to dominate most of the procession. First to score was bustling centre Sean Stewart who beat his man before carrying a couple of defenders over the line with him for the opening try. Next came the try of the day with Aaron ”Ralph” Martin hitting at pace a perfectly timed pass from Shane “Public” Barr. Aaron sliced through the defence, beat the full back with a lovely little side step before dotting down next to the posts. Public added another conversion to go with the one for the first try and Perth was up 14-0. Perth was soon on attack again and it was Handsome Danny Vella's turn to score from a rehearsed move from the lineout, catching Joondalup by surprise and powering over for a try. Public finished off the first half scoring when he went over in the corner to grab Perth a bonus point fourth try and a 24-0 lead. Joondalup managed a late try when their big centre bumped of our fullback and scored to trail 24-5 at half time.
The second half saw a seesaw battle until the last ten minutes with Joondulup scoring two late converted tries and an exhausted Perth just managing to hold out for a win. Steve Fink on behalf of the Fifth Grade forwards has presented the backs with “The Handbag Award”. This handbag is presented to a back after each match, who in the forwards' minds did the softest thing or behaved like a girl during the game [you would win this a few times Rick if you still played]. (Cheek! Anyway, how would the forwards ever know? They'd still be back on half way resting their beer guts on each other -- Editor). This week's “Handbag Award” went to Aaron whose attempted tackle on Joondulup’s centre was like a fluffy bunny rabbit being run over by a Mack truck.
| PERTH UPSET PREMIER |
| 27 May 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater held firm to beat a determined Wests-Subiaco by a slender margin in a low-scoring encounter in their round eight Home Building Society rugby union match at Pat O’Hara Reserve on Saturday. The 13-10 win gives Perth-Bayswater its third victory in a row and is Wests first reversal since round three. The game ended with Wests-Subiaco launching wave after wave of assault on Perth-Bayswater’s try line but each attack was repelled as all 15 Perth players contributed to the club’s first win against Wests since April 2000. For Perth-Bayswater, it was a sign of a new resolve within the team which had made a habit of losing close games in the dying minutes in recent seasons. Each team scored just one try apiece as the two forward packs slugged it out in a battle of attrition, with little of the game played in either side’s defensive territory.
Perth-Bayswater had the upper hand in territory and possession early in the game as the hard-working tight five contested fiercely in the rucks and mauls. Props Tom Hughes and Tua Patu were ever-present in the mauls while loose forwards Eugene Maxwell, Mike Murphy and Kereopa Pirikahu were all dangerous with the ball in hand and tackled strongly. The men in black were eventually rewarded with a penalty which halfback Toby Hohapata kicked to put the home team three points up. However, Wests-Subiaco came back determinedly and they made use of the wind to kick deep and build an attacking platform from which they eventually scored a try. The conversion gave Wests-Subiaco a 3-7 lead which they took into half time.
Perth-Bayswater’s forwards started the second half as they did the first, with the forwards building a steady platform and second-rower Brent Murphy proving to be a safe pair of hands in the line outs as Wests-Subiaco tried to kick their way out of defence. First five-eighth Matt Sefton ably fed attacking runs by centres Yusuke Nakagi and PJ Pittman. Perth-Bayswater’s try eventually came from solid forward work which set up winger Willy Osborne to cross the line. Wests came back strongly again and won a penalty to level the scores at 10-10. A high tackle by Wests gave Perth-Bayswater a penalty to resume the lead but also deprived both teams of a player as, in the resulting skirmish, second-rower Jonathon Stanley was shown a red card and the Wests tackler was given yellow. Knowing that they would be playing the final minutes of the game one man short, Perth-Bayswater pushed hard to get more points while they still had parity but were unable to do so. When Wests-Subiaco’s errant player returned to the field, the visitors began to have the upper hand and camped in Perth-Bayswater’s territory, running at the try line time and again. Perth-Bayswater defended desperately and more than once managed to shut down Wests just as they appeared to have a try-scoring overlap until the referee’s whistle declared the game over.
Perth-Bayswater has another stern test next week when it takes on last season’s cellar dwellers but this year’s success story, third-placed Palmyra. In other games against Wests-Subiaco, the second grade lost 8-22, fourth grade won 31-5 and U19s lost 18-24, while the fifth grade beat Southern Lions 38-0.
Fabulous Fifths defeated Southern Lions 36–0 at Morley Reserve on Saturday. The Kiwi Kelvinator opened the scoring when he finished of a move down the side line crashing into the defence, before reaching out backwards over his head and placing the ball on the line for a try. (He learnt that trick from watching super 14 rugby on TV). Next to score was Phil "Legend of the Valleys” Oliver who produced one of his famous dancing runs to score right next to the posts. “Porky” Sefton was next to add his name to the score sheet when he scurried over for a real halfback try. The final try of the half went to Shane "Public” Barr when he sliced through the defense to score to go with his three conversions for the day.
The second half saw a much tighter game develop and due to Finky subbing off for Japie at half time we lost a lot of push in our scrum (The only thing Japie ever pushes is his luck especially when watching AB v Bok games in a bar full of Kiwis). We still managed two tries in the second half with the first one going to Handsome Danny Vella who was playing his first game sober this season (Danny could have scored a couple of more tries but the shaking hands due to the DT’s didn’t stop until half time). The try of the match must go to Shaun “Ponderous” Ormrod who was at hand to take the final pass from Chachi before sprinting twenty meters to the line (you must realize that to a prop, sprinting twenty meters is equivalent to a winger sprinting eighty meters for a try). Ponderous produced a memorable dive in for a try with his new golden lock of hair (I say lock as there is only one sort of blond hair thing on his head) bouncing in the breeze with his back arched as he flew over the line before crashing to earth with the roar of the crowd echoing in his ears.
| BLACK GOES FORWARD AT WANNEROO |
| 21 May 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater defeated Wanneroo 25-17 in a tight, no frills match at Kingsway on saturday, lifting Perth up a notch to seventh on the Home Building Society competition table. Perth-Bayswater's fierce forward pack dominated for much of the game but the backs failed to capitalise, and allowed Wanneroo's enterprising back line far too much latitude.
Perth-Bayswater made the early running and scored after five minutes when prop Tua Patu drove over from a ruck five metres out. Halfback Toby Hohapata converted from a wide angle. Hohapata added a penalty ten minutes later and a second after 22 minutes for a dangerous tackle. Perth-Bayswater dominated possession and territory with a powerful scrum and punishing forward charges, but looked vulnerable whenever the ball went wide. Wanneroo gained its first points after 27 minutes when a penalty for hands in the ruck gave them a simple kick from in front. Perth resumed the attack and wing Mark Gaskin almost scored after a big charge by prop Ash Murphy but was caught from behind just short. It was indicative of black's failure to capitalise from the platform established by the pack. A Perth ball lost in a ruck on the 22 proved costly when Wanneroo spun it wide, their elusive right wing shot down the sideline and passed back into the left winge for an 80 metre try under the bar. It was converted from in front and Perth went into the break ahead 13-10.
Perth-Bayswater was back in charge after the break and after ten minutes of hard forward grind and repeated pick and drives, number eight Kereopa Parikahu went over the line in a pile of bodies for the try and an 18-10 lead. Wanneroo struck back in two minutes, again breaking out down the sideline for the inside centre to score beside the posts. Wanneroo converted the sitter to come close at 18-17. From another Perth knock on, Wanneroo almost scored on the counter attack minutes later, then stayed on attack, aided by Perth-Bayswater errors and penalties, culminating in Patu being sin binned after 25 minutes. A man down, Perth lifted in the final stages and pressured Wanneroo's line, going over to touch down with five minutes to play, but the movement was called back for a forward pass. Perth had its revenge a minute later when the forwards stole ball after a Wanneroo penalty lineout, and staged another set of pick and drives for lock Jock Stanley to claim the five pointer as another pile of black jumpers drove over the line. Hohapata converted from the sideline for a safety margin at 25-17. Perth-Bayswater controlled the closing minutes to grind out an untidy win. For Perth, Hohapata constantly harried his powerful forward pack, and brothers hooker Ash and flanker Mike Murphy were in everything.
In other games, second grade won 12-3, fourths had a bye, fifth grade scarped home 11-10 over Curtin Uni, Under 19s won 20-0 over Associates Green and Women also defeated Wanneroo.
Filthy Fifths finally got a game this week when they met top of the ladder Curtin at Edinburgh Oval. With the weather a balmy 24 degrees and a Perth side starved of match fitness it was always going to be a struggle to win against a team of fit young students. Luckily Perth had an abundance of fresh reserves which in the end would prove the difference between just being exhausted and death.
Playing into the wind the lads put a lot of pressure on the Curtin forwards and soon dominated them in the scrums and the lineout, taking a lot of ball on Curtin's throw. Bert "two left feet” Bothwell, Japie, Cliff and Handsome Danny Vella were on fire in the lineout while Andy, Tom and Copper were rock solid up front, with the ever reliable Chachi first to the breakdown. In the end all this pressure produced a penalty which Shane "Public" Barr popped over for a 3–0 lead. This was soon extended to 8–0 when Public sliced through a gap in Curtin's backline, before offloading to Dallas “the star” Godlieb to score.
The second half was a struggle with two Perth players spending time in the sin bin. We still managed to pick up another penalty goal via Public to go to an 11-3 lead. Curtin managed to score a converted try five minutes from full time to make things interesting but with players like “The Fonz” and Aaron “Ralph” Martin defending like machines, Perth held out for an 11–10 win.
| SEAGULLS SHOT DOWN IN FLAMES |
| 13 May 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater went to Cottesloe’s home, kicked in their back door and pillaged their kitchen to pull off the upset of the round, a 26-14 victory over one of the competition’s favoured sides in their round six Home Building Society rugby union match at Harvey Park on Saturday.
Perth-Bayswater’s forwards grafted all day to keep Cottesloe on the back foot in the rucks and mauls while solid defence shut Cottesloe out of the second half. With wholesale changes to the team after a poor showing against University the week before, the men in black signalled their intentions early in the game with many phases of pick and drive play. A bustling run from number eight Kereopa Pirikahu put the forwards deep into Cottesloe territory and set up prop Tua Patu to cross over for a try. Halfback Toby Hohapata kicked the conversion to give Perth-Bayswater an early 7-0 lead. Stunned by the early setback, Cottesloe played with greater resolve, and began to play the game in Perth-Bayswater’s half. First five-eighth Matt Sefton ran and kicked strongly but was unable move play into Cottesloe territory. Eventually Cottesloe’s pressure paid off and they were able to score a try which they converted to bring the scores level at 7-7. An infringement at the breakdown by a Cottesloe player allowed Hohapata to put Perth-Bayswater back in the lead, but Cottesloe hit back with another try, putting them in front 14-10. Perth kicked another penalty to trail 14-13 at half time.
Perth-Bayswater started the second half strongly, playing a more expansive game which saw several hard runs by big winger Shaun Tamehana, fed ably by centre Yusuke Nakagi. Flankers Eugene Maxwell and Mike Murphy dominated at the breakdown of play to secure ball and were fierce in defence. Following strong attacking play, Pirikahu pounced on loose ball to score a try and return Perth-Bayswater to the lead. For much of the second half, Cottesloe dominated possession and territory but Perth-Bayswater refused to allow them to cross their line. Growing frustration amongst Cottesloe players led to one of them being sent off and Perth-Bayswater awarded a penalty. With Hohapata off the ground, second rower Jonathon Stanley took over kicking duties and scored to deny Cottesloe a bonus point for losing by less than seven points. One further penalty by Stanley took the final score to 14-26.
Coach John Taylor said he was pleased with the passion the team had shown and hoped this was a first step to continued success after the season’s poor start. The team should be able to get another win under its belt in its next game against bottom-placed Wanneroo.
In other games, the second grade is still winless for season after working hard for little reward against Cottesloe to lose 39-5. Fourth grade scored six unanswered tries to beat Cottesloe 38-0 while the women’s team beat Cottesloe 29-10. The under 19s continue to improve with each game but were unable to topple Joondalup, going down 10-17.
| WE GET CANED AT UNIVERSITY |
| 8 May 2006 |
University took advantage of a lacklustre Perth-Bayswater performance to rack up a convincing 41-13 win in their Home Building Society rugby union match at Pat O’Hara Reserve on Saturday.
Without key playmakers Toby Hohapata, who is out through injury, and Nathan McCort, who is on State team duties, Perth-Bayswater lacked cohesion in the backline. Although holding the upper hand in scrums and achieving parity in the line-outs, Perth-Bayswater was outplayed in most other areas by a strong university side. Particularly galling for the home team was the presence of Western Force squad member Ben Ward in the University team. Ward was initially among four Force players allocated to play for Perth-Bayswater, but chose instead to represent University. None of Perth’s allocated players have yet turned out for the club.
Mediocre defence allowed University to run in two soft first-half tries to take a 15-0 lead into half time. In the second half, Perth-Bayswater had patches of fluent play with solid forward work leading to their first try to number eight Mike Murphy. Several phases of deft out-of-hand passing set up winger Mark Gaskin to cross the line for Perth-Bayswater’s second try. However, these patches of potential were a sideshow to University’s spate of second half tries. The loss leaves Perth-Bayswater languishing at the bottom of the first grade ladder.
In other games, the second grade was equally luckless, going down to University 10-31. In lower grades, Perth-Bayswater had more success, the fourth grade beat University 24-15 and the fifth grade beat Mandurah 25-0 by default. The under 19s turned around a big loss last week to trounce University and the women’s team beat Kalamunda 29-5.
| NEW DAWN CLOUDS OVER AT ROCKINGHAM |
| 30 April 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater recovered from a poor first half to take the lead early in the second but a late penalty gave Rockingham a 23-21 win in their round four Home Building Society Competition rugby union match at Dowling Street on Saturday.
Perth squandered several scoring opportunities in the first half, failing to score despite spending time camped on the Rockingham try line. Rockingham scored two tries and a penalty to take a 17-0 half-time lead. After stern words at half time, Perth-Bayswater hit a purple patch early in the second half, racking up two quick tries to prolific backs Yusuke Nakagi and Nathan McCort, both of which were converted by first five-eighth Toby Hohapata. Rockingham hit back with a penalty before Willy Osbourne crossed the line for a third Perth-Bayswater try, Hohapata's conversion making the score 21-20 and putting the men in black into the lead for the first time in the match. Rockingham were not prepared to roll over so easily, and a battle of attrition began. As usual, Perth-Bayswater's powerhouse front row of Tua Patu, Ashley Murphy and Tommy Hughes provided the muscle to give Perth the edge in the scrums. Perth-Bayswater's player of the day Chris Coyle was tireless at halfback, providing a steady feed for the attack.
With 15 minutes of play remaining, Rockingham was awarded a penalty just inside their own half for a ruck infringement and opted to take a shot at goal. The long-range kick was accurate and put Rockingham back in the lead. Perth-Bayswater was unable to score again in the tense final minutes. The loss puts Perth-Bayswater with just one win from four games and they join Kalamunda and Wanneroo at the bottom of the table.
In other games, Perth-Bayswater drew 8-8 in the second grade, won 19-10 in the fourth grade but lost 45-0 in the under 19s. This Saturday, Perth-Bayswater return home to Pat O'Hara Reserve to take on University.
Fifth Grade was humbled by Nedlands at the Foreshore on Saturday, going down 31–12. It was a game that the team knows it could have won if opportunities were taken and if a few decisions had gone our way but it was not to be. The team started strongly and was soon controlling possession but was unable to convert it into points. Andy "mechanical hooker” Keene was taking tight heads at will in the scrums while Bert ”Two Left Feet” Bothwell dominated the lineout but every time we got close to the try line the ref found something new to penalise us for, alleviating the pressure for Neddies. In the end it was Nedlands who scored the only try of the first half when they effected a turnover in their own half which they moved down the blindside, but to the team's amazement the ref didn’t pick the final pass which was clearly forward.
Fifths started the second half badly when the kick off was allowed to bounce and Neddies pounced on the loose ball, then proceeded to just stroll over for a try untouched. Perth soon struck back with “The Fridge” getting the ball down near Neddies' line with a trademark barging run and with the second phase ball quickly recycled, Darren “Copper” Horne powered over for a much-needed try. “Public” Barr converted to make the score 10–7 and we were back in the game. Perth was quickly back attacking the try line with countless drives which the boys in blue were struggling to defend. After one of the drives at the line a ruck was formed and a Nedlands defender coming in from the side proceeded to put his hands into the ruck, picked up the ball then spilled it forward. Both teams stopped waiting for either a penalty or at the least a scrum to be awarded by the ref to Perth but to everyone's amazement the Nedlands half back was allowed to kick the ball forward which he re-gathered before passing in the tackle of our fullback to their winger to score down the other end of the paddock. This combined with some of the other decisions earlier seemed to break the spirit of the team, and with the injury toll rising Nedlands was allowed to score two more converted tries to take the score to 31–7. The walking wounded managed to rally in the dying minutes of the game for a try to Dallas ”The Star” Godlieb for a final score of 31–12.
| NEDDIES DO IT TO US YET AGAIN |
| 26 April 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater was unable to hold off the Nedlands juggernaut but became the first side to post any points against the competition leaders, losing their Home Building Society round three rugby union match at the Nedlands Foreshore by 32-16 on Saturday.
In an evenly matched game, Nedlands gained the ascendancy during a fifteen minute period in the first half where they scored two tries in quick succession and Perth-Bayswater was unable to close this gap. Perth was forced to start the game with a re-jigged front row of Tua Patu, Ashley Murphy and Brian Paku, after experienced prop Dane Taingauhue was sidelined with an achilles tendon injury shortly before kick off. Perth-Bayswater had three chances to get on the scoreboard early in the game but eschewed kicks at goal for the opportunity to run the ball at the try line. Despite competing strongly in the line-outs, rucks and mauls, the men in black were unable to break through Nedlands defences. Perth's only first half points came later in the half, off the boot of first five-eighth Toby Hohapata and at half-time, they trailed by 20-6.
Hohapata was forced off with an injury at half-time, and was replaced by Nathan McCort, who moved from fullback. Neither team was able to grab the upper hand in the second half as both sides ran in two tries each – enough to bring Nedlands' tally to four and give them a bonus point. Perth's first try came from a combination of strong forward play to give Perth-Bayswater an attacking field position and opportunism from Nathan McCort, who scooped up loose ball from the side of a ruck and crossed the line. McCort also set up winger Yusuke Nakagi to score the team's second try.
Perth-Bayswater coach John Taylor was pleased with his side's performance against the competition's yardstick team. He said the team had dominated in the line-outs, rucks and mauls although couldn't compete in the scrums. Defensively they had Nedlands well-matched with strong games from centres Tony Sproule and Jules Dunn.
In other games, the second grade lost to Nedlands 58-10, while the under 19s beat Nedlands Gold 17-5. Perth-Bayswater's next game is against first grade newcomers Rockingham.
It was of to sunny Stratton for the lads of Filthy Fifth Grade this week to take on Midland but unfortunately there were no competition points on offer due to the fourth grade forfeiting to Bunbury. The lads however produced a classic display of running rugby and defeated Midland 47– 0. Try scorers on the day were Ian “The Rock” and Handsome Danny Vella with two each , Dallas ”The Star” Godlieb, "Porky" Sefton, Guy Meade, Aaron "Ralph” Martin and Bert “Two Left Feet” Bothwell, with one try each.
Two tries stood out the most — the first one being Bert’s, who was on hand to take a pass from Dallas after The Star made a huge break up field before offloading to Bert, who side-stepped the last defender before scoring under the posts. The other try of the day was by Ian “The Rock” who ran a fantastic line to take a sweet pass from Phil “The Legend of the Valleys” Oliver to score his first of the day.
| PERTH-BAYSWATER ASSOCIATED WITH BIG LOSS |
| 9 April 2006 |
After round one success, Perth-Bayswater first grade's premiership aspirations came down to earth with a 48-3 loss at the hands at the hands of Associates in their Home Building Society rugby union match at Allen Park on Saturday.
After an even start to the game, Associates soon worked out Perth-Bayswater's weaknesses out wide and took advantage of them to run in a procession of tries. Perth-Bayswater's forward pack showed it has already progressed mightily, holding the upper hand against a scrum which had dominated them over the past two seasons. The front row of Dane Taingauhue, Ash Murphy, Tom Hughes and replacement prop Tua Patu dominated the scrums for a second week but their platform was not enough for the backs who were unable to pierce Associates wall of defence. Perth-Bayswater under-performed for much of the game and their own errors played nearly as large a part in the loss as Associates skill. While simple errors were costly in attack, Perth-Bayswater's defensive pattern fell apart as Associates found weaknesses in the mid-field and out wide. Number eight Kereopa Pirikahu made several strong runs with the ball in hand and fullback Jules Dunn defended stoutly and used every opportunity to take the ball to the opposition but was unable to find his way to the try line. Perth-Bayswater demonstrated strength in the line out with jumpers Brett Murphy and Brian Khaemba securing the ball for their team. They have a mammoth task ahead of them next week as they take on Nedlands, who have already defeated last season's premiers Wests-Subiaco and are yet to concede a point this season.
In other games, Perth-Bayswater was equally luckless, losing to Associates in all grades. Second grade went down 22-0, fourth grade 52-7 and under 19s 43-10. Fifth grade had a bye.
| PERTH-BAYSWATER START IN THE BLACK |
| 1 April 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater First Grade laid the foundations for a successful 2006 Home Building Society Rugby Union season with a solid win over Kalamunda at Morley Reserve on Saturday.
Perth-Bayswater scored three tries to Kalamunda's two to win 22-14 in front of a vocal supporter base. They gave a demonstration of basic rugby skills, combining solid defence with deftness in attack to take an early lead against their rivals. The front row combination of Dane Taingauhue, Ash Murphy, Tua Patu and Tom Hughes helped set up the victory by devastating the Bulls' scrum and providing the backs with front foot ball from set pieces.
The first try of the match came from a devastating run by Western Force Academy member, fullback Nathan McCort, who cleared the way for centre Yusuke Nakagi to score out wide. Lock Jonathon Stanley was unable to kick the conversion but successfully booted a penalty later in the half to give Perth-Bayswater an 8-0 lead. Kalamunda went into half time trailing by just one point after managing to break through several Perth-Bayswater tackles to score under the posts shortly before the break.
Perth-Bayswater came out firing after half time and 10 minutes into the half, Nathan McCort carved up the Bulls defenders before offloading to speedy winger Jules Dunn to cross the try line and take the score to 15-7 to the delight of the 200-strong crowd. A second try to the Bulls kept them in touch but with five minutes left in the game, a series of strong runs in the forwards had the Kalamunda defence back-pedalling and centre Yusuke Nakagi was able to canter across the line for his second try of the day, which was converted by Stanley to seal the win.
In other games, second grade lost to Kalamunda 27-15, Kalamunda dished out a hiding to fourth grade, 0-50, fifth grade beat Associates 16-0 and under 19s beat Kalamunda 17-12. Next week Perth-Bayswater takes on Associates at Allen Park.
It was a battle of the boardroom this week when Perth-Bayswater Fifth Grade hosted Associates at Morley. Two heavyweights of the RugbyWA Board in the form of Geoff Stooke and our own Steve Fink had boardroom bragging rights riding on this first round game. With a combined age that would entitle them to be listed by the Heritage Council of WA, both men battled away in the engine room in a fairly even game. Perth, however, prevailed in the end winning 16–0 over a Soaks team displaying about the same lack of fitness as the men in black, who looked as if they had spent the off season in a very good paddock indeed.
It was up to Darren ”Copper” Horne to score the only try of the match with all the other points coming from the boot of Shane “Public” Barr who didn't miss one attempt all day. We had other chances but were called back on two occasions when a try was on due to forward passes. It was good to welcome back club legends Dallas Goliath and Guy Meade who returned to the field after a long absence. Dallas played more than 100 games for our first grade in the eighties, coming through our junior ranks — as Guy Meade did a few years later.
| PERTH-BAYSWATER IN THE SEVENS MONEY |
| 11 March 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater showed that the club is right on the pace in the inaugural Tooheys New Sevens Cup held today at Perry Lakes. The club finished first in Pool C, undoubtedly the toughest pool of the day, beating Plate winner Palmyra 17-14 and thrashing Kalamunda 43-12. Perth-Bayswater was unlucky to lose to eventual Cup winner Associates in the semi-final, being edged out 7-5 after looking the team to beat.
But it wasn't a wasted day for the boys in black as the club came away with a $1000 cheque, thanks to sponsors Tooheys New, for the best crowd support at the event.
Congratulations to John Taylor and the boys for an outstanding effort, and thanks to those noisy supporters! It looks like a great season ahead.
| PERTH-BAYSWATER TENS |
| 20 February 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater will be hosting a shortened version of the Annual Ten--a-side Tournament at Morley Reserve, Wellington Rd, Morley on Sunday March 5 starting at 12.30 pm. Games will be played in an open competition and a colts competition and most senior clubs have indicated they will take part. Generous prizes will be available to the successful teams. The event is generously supported by major sponsor PRESIDENTIAL STEEL FIXING and minor sponsor Ray Makene Truck Driver Training.
| PERTH-BAYSWATER SEVENS/ JUNIOR REGISTRATION DAY |
| 20 February 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater will be hosting a seven-a-side tournament at Morley Reserve, Wellington Rd, Morley on February 25 starting at 12.30 pm. Games will be played in an open competition and a colts competition and a number of senior clubs have already confirmed their appearance. Generous prizes will be available to the successful teams. The event is generously supported by major sponsor ACCESS RENTALS and minor sponsor Ray Makene Truck Driver Training.
The tournament coincides with the Junior Club's Registration Day for players from Under 8s to Under 17s. A bouncy castle will be available for entertaining the smaller supporters.
| COACHING COUP FOR PERTH-BAYSWATER |
| 21 January 2006 |
Perth-Bayswater is set for an on-field revival in 2006 with the appointment of highly-qualified New Zealand coach John Taylor. Taylor holds a NZRFU/Massey University Certificate of Rugby Coaching, the highest practical certificate for rugby in NZ. He has extensive coaching experience in the Marlborough area, having coached Marlborough representative junior teams, the Marlborough Maori, Women’s and senior B sides. Taylor was most recently team manager and a selector for the Marlborough representative NPC side.
He comes to Perth-Bayswater highly recommended by Marlborough NPC coach Dennis Brown, who said Taylor had consistently performed beyond the standards expected of him. As head coach and coaching co-ordinator of the Waitohi club in Picton, he contributed to the club’s on and off-field success. As rugby administrator for secondary schools in Marlborough, he was responsible for an outstanding increase in playing numbers at secondary school level. Brown described him as “an outstanding asset to whoever should obtain his services”.
Taylor is joining the club for three years and there is a great sense of excitement around the clubrooms in anticipation of the coaching skills that he brings with him, which should influence the success of all grades.
Taylor arrives in Perth on January 21 and should become a regular face around the club over the next months. Be sure to make him feel welcome at Perth-Bayswater.
