6 June 2009
Perth-Bayswater again lost focus as the season approached half way, losing to a determined but limited University team at McGillivray Oval 21-18, and slipping out of the top four into fifth position.
University started strongly to lead 14-3 at the break, with a single penalty to halfback Toby Hohapata, as Perth-Bayswater threw away the game plan and made multiple errors. University dominated play with determined and enthusiastic play in the tight and the loose. Perth-Bayswater had a stronger second spell and used the game plan to dominate the game, number 8 Pierre Roberts scoring two tries while Hohapata added a conversion and another penalty. Some of the Perth decision-making was poor and players failed to execute with a number of handling errors letting the side down, causing a number of opportunities to be missed. Overall, a sub-par performance that the team cannot afford to repeat if it wants to make the finals in September.
In a depressing whitewash in other men's grades, seconds lost to Uni 27-14, thirds lost to Curtin 31-5, fourths (aka fifths) had a rare loss to Curtin 12-5, under 20s lost to Uni 24-0, under 18s lost to Rockingham Gold 19-17, while the women alone upheld the hyonour of the club with a narrow 100 point won over Uni girls.
Flat Fifth Grade stumbled to a rare defeat on Saturday when it went down to a committed Curtin 12-5. In a game where skills were in short supply a piece of individual magic by Dwain "The Train" Barr got the team on the scoreboard after just two minutes. Dwain missed the conversion and although Perth still had the upper hand they were unable to break the students' defensive line again in the half despite repeated opportunities. Curtin should have scored after their centre made a break down the right side of the paddock and set up his winger only to see the ball go to ground, much to Perth's relief.
The second half saw Perth lose key men to injury in the form of Phil "The Legend of the Valleys" Oliver and Copper. This, combined with a lack of fitness and no game for the last two weeks, started to show up the men in black with a lot of players reduced to a walk. Handsome Danny Vella was not one of these players and he continued to hound the opposition while racking up one of the biggest penalty and free kick tallies ever accumulated by a fifth grade player. Curtin managed to score two tries in the second half to take the lead, although their second effort was controversial given our player clearly pressed the ball before they did but the ref only saw the latter so awarded the try. Curtin would have had three tries if it wasn't for a try saving tackle by the Fonz in the corner just after. Sefto spat his dummy and joined a Curtin player in the sin bin as the game took a turn for the worst. Russell was lucky not to join him when he gave one of the Curtin players a kiss which was not appreciated by the recipient. Danny almost put the Fridge (who was making a guest appearance due to the lack of reserves) in for a try late in the game only to put a foot into touch when offloading the ball. With this last opportunity gone time ran out and the lads had to settle for just one competition point for finishing within seven points of the winner. If Perth Fifths wants to hold their position on the ladder they will need to make this effort a one-off.