15 August 2009
Perth-Bayswater first grade sunk to seventh on the competition table with a 37-12 loss to competition leaders Palmyra. There was no miraculous late season rejuvenation for the men in black against a Palmyra team experiencing indifferent form and the team's only aims now must be to finish the season with a good performance against Associates next week -- which may possibly decide whether Soaks make the finals or not -- and introduce some young players to first grade rugby.
Pics by Dave Whitnell
In other grades, seconds belied their wooden spoon status with another strong performance to draw 22-22 with Palmyra, thirds lost narrowly to Southern Lions 12-8, fourths/fifths maintained third place in their competition with a 21-3 win over Southern Lions, Under 20s lost 25-0 to ARKs, Under 18s held second place with a 27-6 win over Palmyra and the women's team wrapped up their minor premiership with a 20-14 win over arch-rivals Cottesloe.
Southern Lions laid out the welcome mat for Filthy Fifths on a blustery, no, squally, no, Antarctic afternoon at Murdoch. Tony Pepperoni wanted nothing to do with the conditions and broke his lower right leg in the first tackle of the game, introducing Bobby Cooper far earlier than he hoped. The Fonz was much happier with the conditions and headed for the only puddle on the oval in search of the ball. Running into a 40 knot breeze (gale!) the forwards worked hard, but poor kicking kept the pressure on. What little ball the backline saw looked promising, and it wasn’t long before The Dummy Spitter and The Train sliced their way through the midfield. After ascrappy sequence of play The Train toed the ball forward and scored a relatively easy try under the posts that Barr Fridge converted, and Perth led 7-0. The Southern Lions then made use of the strong wind at their back and camped in Perth-Bayswater's half. A big kick downtown from the Lions fullback sent Dallas ‘The Star’ Godlieb scurrying back to retrieve the ball from his own 22. A pretty lady must have appeared on the hill, completely distracting The Star and he knocked the ball on. The pretty lady must have given The Star a sneaky little wave, as he continued to be distracted after the first indiscretion and was creamed by the Lions chasers. The forwards got through a mountain of defensive work and were well led by Barney, Cliffy, Rodger and Dale. As usual, Bert killed them at the lineout and Barney got his share of steals at the bac, continually getting us out of trouble. Eventually the Southern Lions gave up trying to crack the Baysie line and opted for the three points, which their fullback put over. Bobby Cooper, Dale and Dermott were having a blast on the right hand side of the scrum with Bobby beautifully blocking the tunnel before being folded in half. Half time, 7-3.
In the second half, the boys in black had a breeze at their back coming straight off an iceberg. A strategic change at half time intorduced Noel ‘The Fridge’ Spittal to the game, and it was clear he had brought his A-game. His involvement was plentiful and he continually shut down the Lions' backline moves, and terrorised the opposition winger with barnstorming runs and amazing hands. (If you believe that's how Noel really played, then you would believe anything! The Fridge wants to relay his heartfelt thanks to wife Sam for turning up to watch such a fine display of his skills and ability!) [You have one bad game a decade and they take the piss out of you...I should have stayed retired -- Fridge]
Using the breeze, Perth's good lineout ball was spun through the backs, the Dummy Spitter putting The Train through a gaping midfield hole. Great support play from Sonna earned him a pop ball from The Train but he was dragged down just short of the line. The Train followed up his break with a pick and drive and a try, converted by Barr Fridge from a moderate angle. A few interesting choices from Perth's lineout wasted a number of attacking opportunities. The Train wasn’t enjoying himself out wide and was seen throwing all of his toys out of the cot. Just to check The Train’s reaction, Bert ‘Two Left Feet’ Bothwell thought he’d try another ‘Dwain’ at the lineout only to get the same result. The Train was steaming! After taking a quick tap and go from 5 metres out, Dummy Spitter cruised through lacklustre defence to dot down under the posts, only to be called back by the ref as there was clearly no advantage to us. Soon after, Dummy Spitter, who appeared to hand his dummy over to his captain for the day, easily sliced through the defence running a good angle to be rewarded with a five pointer that was converted. Full time score, 21-3.
A special mention to Bushy’s lineout throwing in very windy conditions which was spot on all day. It was great to see Chris ‘The Nurse’ Roberts down at the game after heavy concussion last week. We all wish Pepperoni a speedy recovery from his broken leg, and hope Handsome Danny Vella hasn’t wrecked his knee too badly. A special thanks to the half dozen boys who backed up to help third grade, just going down 12-8, Dummy Spitter earning himself a yellow card, and Rodger putting in a Herculean effort to play out a second full game at prop. And final notes on The Train’s calm discussion and breakdown of the game with the referee afterwards, and the scuffle that broke out at the end of the third grade game.