News

 

11 April 2010

Centre Mike Lee scores

Perth-Bayswater first grade opened their 2010 account with a last minute loss, 24-20, against Rockingham at Pat O'Hara Reserve on Saturday.

Rockingham controlled the opening stanza of their game, including dominating the once-feared Perth-Bayswater scrum, and scored two early tries and a conversion to lead 12-0. Flyhalf Ethan Reid landed a penalty goal and centre Mike Lee scored a try for Perth but this was answered with a try to Rockingham for a half time lead of 17-8.

Perth-Bayswater fought back in the second half with tries to centre Mike Lee and flanker Lance Hamilton, with one conversion by Reid stealing the lead late in the game at 20-17. But Rockingham lifted to dominate the closing stages, managing a converted try just before full time to snatch the win.

A Rocky defender slows down the rampaging PJ Pittman with a bit of girly shirt-pulling

The team is missing a few players from the 2009 season, including wing Nathan Hunt and lock Jock Stanley who jumped onto Cottesloe's winning bandwagon, but has gained a couple of players such as Irish halfback Mark James.

The club has also gained hugely experienced coach Rex George from the legendary Ponsonby club in Auckland, New Zealand. Rex moved to Western Australia to be with family, and the club is very fortunate to benefit from expertise of this calibre.

"We should have won against Rockingham, we fell a bit short there," Rex said.

"We let them get a good start on us, and we basically lost in that first 20 minutes. We probably under-estimated Rockingham a little bit and they took it to us up front.

"We were able to claw our way back and get in front but they scored a try in the last ten or so minutes. Disappointing with the start and disappointing with the finish.

"But that's part of the learning curve. We've got some young players who can only get better."

In other grades, seconds thrashed Rockingham 42 3, thirds, fourths and Under 20s had a bye, and Under 18s walloped Southern Lions 76-7.