Ellenbrook Rabbitohs 44 – Rockingham Sharks 16
By PETER ROWE
Ellenbrook Rabbitohs maintained their push for fourth spot on the Fuel to Go & Play Premiership ladder on Saturday afternoon with a convincing Round 14 win over the visiting Sharks, although coach Dan Manning felt they left a few extra tries on the field.
“We had to weather an early onslaught from Rockingham, and they scored first, but once we did, we controlled much of the game,” Manning said.
“I just felt the last 20 minutes we could have scored more to help our for and against.”
Centre Tom Leeder opened the scoring early for the visitors, who soon lost Daniel Muir with an ankle injury and Taniela Te Rauna with a corked thigh as the Bunnies scored through Zion Wetere and Jarrah Clarke-Hooper to regain control.
“We ended up with just two on the bench midway through the first half,” a disappointed Sharks coach Reece Potter said. “So it became a struggle.”
Detroit Tamanui pulled one back for the Sharks before Clarke-Hooper added a third and skipper Chase Rye slotted the extras – finishing the day with six successful kicks.
Dylan Rye was next to cross early in the second half as the home side quickly extended their lead, with further tries from Chase Rye, a double from centre Toby Carr and an eighth for the day for the Rabbits from backrower Sioelo Vaituulala.
Winger Kaiaua Scott and backrower Terrence Rameka scored consolation tries for the visitors, but it was a day that saw the bunnies consolidate their spot on the ladder.
“We didn’t have ‘Nasty’ Jones and Jahvarro Joyce because of injury. About five players out, but that’s football and I was happy to get the points and we move on to Willagee next week,” Manning said.
Prop Mikairia Te Kawa was their best on field, big efforts and solid shift,” Manning said with winger Damian Kahui and Zion Wetere close behind.
For his opposite number it was another tough day.
“It’s been the same story over the past few weeks,”Potter said.
“We are not good enough. Just disappointing really. Especially as it was Chris Siddons’ last game for us, and he was as always, awesome.
“Detroit had a solid game and I was pleased for Cole Eru who stepped up from reserves and put in a good debut performance.”