Rockingham Sharks 0 – Willagee Bears 88
By PETER ROWE
Premiers Willagee proved way too strong for a young Rockingham side at Port Kennedy Sportsplex in the evening kickoff game of the Fuel to Go & Play Premiership, scoring at will to maintain their unbeaten run and stay top of the ladder.
The Bears opened their account after just three minutes and scored regularly throughout the first half to hold a commanding 38-0 halftime lead.
Swift play and lightning quick backs, supported by a big pack of forwards was key to the game plan – a plan the Sharks struggled to defend.
When Rockingham did get possession – and they did – they couldn’t find a way through a defence that has seen off every team in the competition this season.
Centre John Leota opened the scoring, followed by winger Saimoni Qaranivalu before captain Kainoa Gudgeon grabbed the first of his hat-trick.
Speedy winger Manfred Kelly burnt the Sharks defence down the edges with a first half treble and fullback Iziah Lolohea got in the act before Vilive Sawala scored the first of his double.
The Sharks went in search of points early in the second half but were soon to be demolished by the almost effortless class of the Bears attack.
Iverson Mapu-Satiu, Finn MacDermott and Jonathan Sarader added their names to the 16-try list of scorers as the game drifted further from Rockingham’s reach.
“I gave the boys a challenge during the week leading up to the game to stay in the grind but also play with some flamboyance,” coach Nelson Davis said.
“I think we did that although I’m also trying to keep their feet on the ground.
“It was tough for Rockingham but my advice is to keep at it and bounce back.”
Sharks coach Reece Potter knew the day was going to be hard.
“We developed a plan during the week but they didn’t stick to it and a team like Willagee with so much experience, found us out,” he said.
“Tough lesson to take but we have to put it behind us and move on to next week.”