19 September 2009
By Matilda Keynes
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| WA women's rugby legend Sue Roberts presents the premiership trophy and pennant to Perth-Bayswater women's captain and outstanding flyhalf, Puawai Hohepa. |
Perth-Bayswater women won their fourth consecutive premiership, 32-0 over Cottesloe, at Harvey Field on Saturday.
All four premiership wins have been over the Cottesloe girls but this year's was the largest by a considerable margin.
The scoring was even throughout with a 17-0 lead at half time, based on dominance of territory and possession in the first half.
Cottesloe bounced back to dominate territory in the second spell but were unable to score, and Perth-Bayswater came home with a flourish with three late tries.
Perth opened strongly and pinned Cottesloe in their half, the first score coming after just five minutes when the ball went out along back line for a try out wide to wing Hemoata Purukamu.
Ten minutes later Cottesloe come back and were hard on attack, but two knock ons spoiled potential Cottesloe tries and good Perth defence deprived the Seagulls of other scoring opportunties.
Perth returned play to Cottesloe's half and after 20 minutes, a lineout 15 metres out from Cottesloe's line sent the ball the width of the field, left wing Sandra Dangen coming off her side of the field to slot into the back line on the other side for a try near the corner, and a valuable 10-0 lead to the girls in black.
Perth stayed on attack with intelligent, accurate kicking, particularly from flyhalf Puawai Hohepa, who illustrated her women's player of the year award at the PG Hampshire presentations by repeatedly hurting Cottesloe with long tactical kicks.
Cottesloe stayed in the game with fierce competition at the breakdown, Perth players having trouble adjusting to the referee’s ruck rulings. The Perth women stayed in Cottesloe's half but without further score until 34 minutes in when the Seagulls' right wing horribly misjudged a chip kick, popping it two metres straight into the arms of Dangen, who sprinted 30 metres for a try beside the posts. Fullback Sharnee Werahiko converted from straight in front and Perth-Bayswater took the 17-0 lead into the break.
Cottesloe opened the second spell much stronger, dominating territory and pinning Perth back in their half, the Perth-Bayswater team appearing a little complacent on the back of their sizeable lead.
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| Rugby WA's Dwayne Nestor interviews Perth-Bayswater centre and Wallaroos star Stacey Kilmister after the game. |
There were a few instances of bad temper and finally a most unladylike exchange of hostilities involving both teams that earned both captains a stern lecture from the referee.
Cottesloe kept the pressure up and by the 20 minute mark were still camped in Perth’s half, but with rain falling and a slippery ball hard to handle, combined with solid Perth-Bayswater defence, the Seagulls blew several clear opportunities and were unable to put any points on the board.
More good defensive kicking from Perth-Bayswater repeatedly sent Cottesloe back down the field to start again from square one, until three-quarters of the way through the game when Cottesloe knocked on attempting to field a high kick.
Perth finally found an attacking opportunity and centre Stacey Kilmister almost scored in corner after a big sideline run on the blind but was held up over the line.
However, from the resulting five metre scrum, the Perth forwards charged up through three phases before Stacey scored on the blindside after 23 minutes to take the score out to 22-0.
Perth-Bayswater stayed on attack and six minutes later Cottesloe knocked on again and from the scrum, the ball was passed along back line in a classic back line sweep for a try to Purukamu, who crossed in the corner but ran around to touch down closer to the posts.
Cottesloe lifted for one last attack but made too many mistakes, and the Perth girls stormed back onto the attack.
Perth finished the game as they started it, attacking Cottesloe's line and almost scored in the corner, but were caught short. Purukamu was on hand to scoop up the loose ball and dive across for the final try and her hat trick to wrap up the game at 32-0.
Congratulations to coach Wayne Walden and a truly championship team for an oustanding season and a record fourth premiership.
