4 July 2009
 Number eight Pierre Roberts scores |
Coaches Lex Wilson and JT Taylor will be hoping that Perth-Bayswater first grade's decisive 26-12 win over resurgent premiers Kalamunda signals that the team has turned the corner away from the inconsistencies that have plagued it of late.
This was a crunch match for the team early in the second half of the season and even if Palmyra didn't come to the party and dispose of closest rivals Nedlands, Perth remains one game short of the four and its fate is clearly in its own hands in the weeks ahead.
Despite the reigning premiers lowly eighth place on the table, in recent weeks the Bulls have threatened to return to their best with close games against three of the top four, including a 41-5 thrashing of third-placed Cottesloe.
Following last week's limp 40-5 loss to Nedlands, it was vital that first grade take the Kalamunda game today or see the top four slipping out of reach. And this mission it achieved in style.
Halfback Mark Hill scores too |
The team overcame its nasty habit of starting slow and powered into the opening half to lead 20-0 at the break at Pat O-Hara Reserve. The visitors came back strong in the second half but unlike last week, Perth's defence was tenacious and applied pressure to restrict the desperate premiers' scoring while adding a further six points themselves. Kalamunda are not the team they were, with poor handling and too many individuals trying to be too flashy.
Points were scored by prop Dane Taingahue, flanker Jackson Achilles and number eight Pierre Roberts, while young flyhalf Ethan Reid kicked a conversion and a penalty and Toby Hohapata added two penalties.
"The boys played very well and executed the game plan for eighy minutes," first grade coach Lex Wilson said.
"They worked hard in the key areas and tackling was very good. It was an all round better performance."
The win leaves Perth-Bayswater five points behind Associates, with two tough games coming up over the next fortnight against Cottesloe and Wanneroo. Soaks play Nedlands next week and it's a moot point as to which team's loss would profit Perth-Bayswater more. Neddies haven't beaten Associates in the last five games but given the clubs' respective form over recent weeks, Neddies look odds-on to take the game.
Even the front row are doing it -- Dane Taingahue scores with Joel Laugeson in a supporting role.
Thanks to Dave Whitnell for the images
In other grades at Pat O'Hara Reserve
- seconds lost to Kalamunda 39-12 to maintain their inglorious wooden spoon position
- thirds went down to Kalamunda 44-10 to sit eighth in a nine-team competition
- fourths/fifths continued an unusual run of losses by going down to Kalamunda 16-14 to slip to third place
- Under 20s defeated Nedlands Blue 26-14 to sit at seventh in a 12-team competition
- Under 18s defeated Kalamunda 27-12 to remain third in their 12-team competition
- the women's team are having a couple of weeks off and remain on top of their six-team competition.