Round Two
Joondalup Giants 18 Willagee Bears 38
By PETER ROWE
The Willagee Bears recorded their first senior grade victory in six years with a solid 36-18 win at Admiral Park to see off the Joondalup Giants in round two of the NRLWA Fuel to Go and Play Premiership.
In a game full of early errors, the Bears capitalised straight from the kickoff after the ball went out on the full.
From the resulting penalty hooker Tremayne Kamso barged over for the game’s opening score and minutes later it was the turn of big backrower John Leota to find the whitewash.
“We had to make a few late changes but it all came good,” Bears coach Nelson Davis said.
“It was great to get a win, my first grade win but we still have to work on playing league rather than union.
“During the week our motto was ‘Planet League’ as a few of our boys have come across from union, so we need to control the ball better and not kick on first and then chase.”
The Giants eventually settled, cut out their errors and forced one on the opposition as Andrew Bannister dropped a kick deep in his own half, that saw Jamaine White pick up to cross.
But the comeback was short-lived as the Bears, marshalled superbly by half Tamaho Teirney, scored again, this time after winger Saimoni Qaranivalu broke several tackles to set up Manfred Kelly.
Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
The lively winger then danced his way past half a dozen attempted tackles to cross in a run that bamboozled the Joondalup defence that gave the visitors a 12-point cushion at the break.
Early ball and pressure from the home side didn’t pay off as Qaranivalu once again proved elusive, on another big run up field that linked with with Bannister before Leota bounced off defenders on a final big push to find the whitewash.
Brody Dunn found a hole on the left edge to run through with ten minutes remaining but then gifted another try to the Bears three minutes later when he kicked the ball straight into the arms of Jonathan Araya Alivaa, who raced away to score.
Alivaa arrived late for the game, having got lost on route and Davis almost replaced him with a junior, but didn’t and the faith was repaid with a solid performance.
Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
Qaranivalu added another four-pointer with five minutes remaining, skipping through a tired Joondalup defence, before River Colman scored a late consolation try, burrowing over from dummy half to give some respectability to the scoreline as the Giants go into the three-week break winless, with the Bears sitting mid-table with a 1-1 record.
Young lock Rangi Thompson was Davis’ best on field. “He took the responsibility I gave him really well and his work allowed our halves time to organise our play ” the coach said.
“John Leola has to get a mention, two tries and a lot of work – and Kainoa Gudgeon for his leadership and management skills on the field.”
For the winless Giants it was a disappointing day.
“We played better than week one and made some changes during the week, but it didn’t click, captain Taurean Sheehan said.
“Too many errors and we struggled to get a rhythm, especially in the second half.
“But we’re not pressing the panic button, there’s a lot of work to be done and a lot of football to be played yet.”
Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
Round 03 – 3rd May
South Perth Lions vs Joondalup Giants
Rockingham Sharks vs Fremantle Roosters
Willagee Bears vs North Beach Sea Eagles