Joondalup Giants 6 – Willagee Bears 70
By PETER ROWE
Five tries from winger Manfred Kelly helped set up another solid win for the Fuel to Go & Play Premiership leaders Willagee at Admiral Park on Saturday.
But the Bears were given an early shock after Kelly’s first try when Joondalup’s young half Lincoln Williams finished off a superb break-out by winger Leon White to score.
On the break from deep in his own half White drew fullback Iziah Lolohea before passing to the supporting Williams to cross.
Lolohea made up for the mishap minutes later scoring twice as the Bears growled into action.
Skipper Kainoa Gudgeon added another on the half-hour and Kelly and hooker Kobi Aiesi scored two more before the halftime siren to give the visitors a 32-6 lead at the break.
Kelly then turned on the afterburners to add two more to his collection before winger Saimoni Qaranivalu was next to cross eight minutes into the second period.
Aiesi made it a double four minutes later before Jono Sarader got his name on the team manager’s scoresheet.
Kelly made it a magnificent five six minutes from time and centre Tommy Fifita scored late as the Bears scored 13 tries on the day.
It was Kelly’s second five-try game this season and the total points scored by the Bears in seven games is now more that their total for the whole last season.
“Manfred was outstanding with his five tries and Kobi had a superb game as well, slotting in at lock in the second half. Kelvin Coleman returned from working and he was also sensational,” coach Nelson Davis said.
“The chemistry is certainly there, but well played Joondalup who surprised us early in the game. The pitch was also soft and we had to make some minor changes to our game plan to adapt to that.”
Giants coach Matt Gowland was full of praise for his young side’s effort – and for the workload of veteran Taurean Sheehan.
“Technically, Willagee were very good. They all know their roles and when you make a mistake they punish you,” he said.
“We can be great for five minutes and then we go into snooze mode, so it’s something we have to learn from.
“Errors cost us, especially in the second half and we need to learn to trust the process.”
Gowland was delighted with the way the Giants scored their only try of the game from Williams.
“Then we go and drop the ball on the next set. Frustrating, but they are young and still developing, whereas Willagee are stacked with some great experience, which shows in the scoreline.
“Taurean was immense on his 100th game for the club – a great club man.”