LIONS SURVIVE RABBITOHS COMEBACK TO TAKE POINTS
Ellenbrook Rabbitohs 24 South Perth Lions 36
By PETER ROWE
South Perth survived a second-half comeback from Ellenbrook to emerge winners in another Round 4 try fest in their Fuel to Go & Play Premiership clash at Charlotte’s Vineyard on Saturday after leading 26-0 at halftime.
Lions coach John Crawford was happy with his side’s first half showing, but frustrated with the second as poor discipline and lack of ball control let the Bunies back into the game.
Double strikes from Simeon Oi and Corban Daniels set the tone before further tries from Okuk Mori, Tamba Lebbie and Mathias Tumuli Ah-Kuoi sealed the game.
“For three games this season we have been really poor in the second half,” he lamented.
“This was our worst second 40 of the season. We just need to put a full 80 together.”
Crawford was happy with the two points, but knows there is still plenty of work to be done if they are to be challenging come August.
“Credit to Ellenbrook for the way they came back at us and when they got on a roll, they pushed us all the way,” he said.
“The first 25 minutes of the second half it was all them, before we scored to settle it down. They had the momentum and the belief and we found it really hard to deal with adversity.
“It’s very frustrating, we need to be better disciplined and give way less penalties. It;s not a technical thing, it’s more mental I think. So yes, lots of work to be done.”
Despite the loss Ellenbrook coach Dan Manning was pleased with the way his side stepped up in the second half.
Tries from Jake Cooking, Trent Newman and Zion Wetere got them tao within four points of their opponents before South Perth wrapped up the game.
“We weren’t working to our structures in the first half and I told there boys at the break to not panic and if we stayed to our strengths it would come. It did,” Manning said.
“It was a much improved performance. We got one a roll and pushed them all the way. When we got to within four points I said to my coaching staff whoever scores next wins. Unfortunately it wasn’t us, but I was pleased with how we played that second half.”
Manning praised big middle Riapo Jones for his efforts, the prop was their player’s player of the day. “He has stepped up big time this year,” Manning added.