Round Eleven
Rockingham Sharks 28 – Willagee Bears 52
The Bears were the better team, but coach Nelson Davis paid a massive compliment to the home side, for their effort and spirit.
“They are a young side and they will get better,” he said.
“They hurt us and their pressure made us look vulnerable at times. If they can cut out their errors they will win a few games.”
All the games honoured the passing of Willagee legend and matriarch Ma Parker before kickoff in impeccable style as the Bears won all three grades.
“A fitting tribute to a wonderful lady,” Davis said.
Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
Rockingham got off to a poor start, conceding after two minutes when John Leota crossed. Tamaho Tierney, back in the side after injury, scored their second six minutes later and when the visitors exposed a hole in the home side’s right edge to add a third through Kainoa Gudgeon it looked ominous for the young Sharks.
But to their credit, the Sharks stayed in the game as winger Kaiaua Scott crossed.
Errors and penalties cost the home side as the Bears then scored through Jackson Hansen and fullback Manfred Kelly before forward Lewis Hough closed the gap again just before halftime.
“If we can cut out those errors we will be in the game more,” Sharks coach Pete Worth said.
I think we showed when have possession, we can score points and defensively we are improving.”
The Bears started the second half as they finished the first, crossing again through Leota and former Shark Derek Chizuni before standout Shark Chris Siddons found the whitewash.
Rihare Te Rauna struggles against the Bears defence / Photo – Libby McMillan
Another former Sharks junior, Rangi Thompson, added another but the Sharks were not done, gaining confidence when thy had possession.
Rihari Te Rauna, a member of the current new crop of quality juniors, scored before Worth, forced to play because of injuries and the loss of halfback Crockett Henry to the CAS national championships, crossed.
Worth praised centre Kendre Wood, who missed out twice crossing with the ball falling loose.
“Kendre was unlucky not to score and Siddo and Bolty (skipper Ben Bolth) were both superb,” Worth said.
“We’re still trying to understand the interpretation of the rules week to week and errors can be a coach killer.”
Photo – Libby McMillan