Round Four
Willagee Bears 34 – Rockingham Sharks 12
By PETER ROWE
Coach Nelson Davis gave his Willagee Bears three KPI’s to achieve against Rockingham at Webber Reserve on Saturday afternoon, and was pleased with the response as the Bears beat the Sharks 34-12.
“I asked for discipline and I got that,” Davis said. “I wanted to limit points conceded – tick – but our third ask was completion rate and we only managed about 60 per cent, so there is still work to be done.
“I want a better rate than that if we are to be there come finals.”
The six try to two margin though was enough for the home side with a Manfred Kelly double, two from centre Tom Fifita and further tries from second rowers Eli Going and Shai Wiperi the difference.
Photo – Carmel Potter-Green
Captain Kainoa Gudgeon spent ten minutes in the sinbin after losing an argument with the referee, and Ryan Mills dropped to cover as the Bears stayed in control, scoring twice late in the first half.
“We kept in the grind and that was important,” Davis said.
“We lost forward Emmanuel Maliko in the warmup with a calf injury so that reduced our bench, and the Sharks pushed us but we stayed in it and it was good to get the points.
“Completion rates are a big one for me and we have to have surprise in attack to keep the opposition guessing. A few errors we can work on and we have Freo next week, so another set of options to look at.”
Sharks coach Pete Worth was disappointed with his side’s kick and chase and inability to take advantage when in possession.
Photo – Libby McMillan
“We moved the ball upfield and got ourselves into a good position but then coughed up the ball,” he said.
Young winger Landon Johnson stepped up from reserves to make his debut and Worth was forced to play in the halves with Crockett Henry away on CAS duty.
Rihare Te Rauna and Keiron Lawton both crossed on a day the Sharks will want to forget.
“Frustrating yes, so we have a lot of work to do,” Worth said.
