22 August 2009
It wasn't Perth-Bayswater first grade's year, but the club excelled in other grades -- the Under 18 team overturned arch-rivals Associates 22-10 in the final game of the competition to grab the minor premiership; and the all-conquering women's team having already taken out their minor premiership before Midland's forfeit. Congratulations to the coaches and players of those teams for leading the way for the club.
First grade went down fighting, losing 39-25 to an Associates team desperate for a big win to make the finals. Unfortunately for them the whole question was made academic by Wanneroo beating Palmyra to take the coveted fourth spot in the competition. At one stage after half time at Pat O'Hara Reserve, it looked like Perth were on course for an upset win, playing with skill and purpose to lead 25-20. But it didn't last and Soaks came home with the win, leaving Perth first grade a distant seventh on the ladder after another plague of injuries and the loss of key senior players led to wild inconsistency in the standard of play in the second half of the season.
However, the future of the club is bright as seen from the outstanding results of the young players brought up through head coach John Taylor's academy, and with a re-established core of senior players next year the club should be back in the finals.
Pics by Dave Whitnell
In other grades, seconds lost badly to finalists Associates 64-19, thirds lost to competition runners-up Associates 41-0, even the inglorious basterds of fourths/fifths suffered the indignity of losing to an Associates team well below them on the ladder, 36-13, while Under 20s were again forced to forfeit due to the number of players required to play in the senior grades.
The Filthy Fifths failed to take on an Associates team keen on knocking off Perth twice in the same season. Perth’s first attacking raid resulted in a suspect-looking drop goal from halfback Shane "Barr Fridge". Soaks quickly replied with two penalties before breaking down the left side to score an easy try. Soaks were back on the attack and had their rolling maul on song and causing some damage, while Perth helped by spending most of the afternoon getting bumped off high tackles. After fielding a high ball early, The Fonz increased the degree of difficulty in trying to mark a ball inside the 22. The ball spilled clear, and Soaks went in for another try. Perth were still asleep when Soaks ran in a third try after their big lock bumped Dwain "The Train" Barr’s tackle which suspiciously appeared to lack any involvement of his arms. Perth finally clicked into gear and Barney McGoon was leading the way up front with the Toots brothers and the welcome return of Darren "The Copper" Horne. They started to find gaps around the ruck, and continual pressure resulted in a free kick five metres out, Barney crashing over for a deserved try. Barr Fridge missed the conversion (must have been the gale force winds whipping in off the Indian Ocean?). Perth quickly went on the attack again with help from Soaks’ continual infringements. After great lead up work, "The Train" crashed over out wide on the stroke of half time, and Perth trailed 21-13.
Manager Phil "Legend of the Valleys" Oliver rang the changes at half time. Bert "Two Left Feet" Bothwell killed the Soaks lineout at one stage, stealing three in a row. Unfortunately the intensity that had increased late in the first half dropped away again, and Perth paid the price. Soaks flanker scored a breakout try after standing at fly half from a scrum, but according to the officials was "legally bound". Upset with that decision, "The Train" took to their flyhalf with another classic example of a well-timed, beautiful tackle, arms and all? Perth continued to miss first up tackles and Soaks made them pay on the scoreboard, running in three more tries. Last gasp defence prevented further damage on at least three separate occasions. The wind played havoc with Barr Fridge’s service, one delivery to Matt "Dummy Spitte"’ Sefton reportedly travelling via the moon. The Soaks forwards, hungry for a big hit, were quite amazed by the speed of the service and chose not to put the Dummy Spitter in hospital. Thanks boys! The introduction of Bo "The Big Show" increased the niggle dramatically, and The Big Show’s reference to the opposing hooker’s lack of hair was sure to hit him right where it hurts. Ouch! Soaks continued to pile on the pressure but the Perth defence held true for the final 10 minutes, the boys finally going down 36-13. A big thanks again to the third graders who backed up to help us limp towards finals time.
Our attention now turns to the first week of finals where we will take on Kalamunda in the minor semi-final at Lark Hill. This is a great opportunity for the mighty Fifth graders who have shown all season that when they turn up mentally prepared, they’re a hard unit to roll.