North Beach a class above
North Beach Sea Eagles proved they were a class above other teams in the Harvey Norman Premiership with a demolition of Joondalup Giants 82 to nil on Friday night, and in doing so secured the Minor Premiership for 2012 with one round remaining.
In a game similar to the one played against South Perth, they simply closed down any run from the Giants and squeezed them out of the play.
Craig Phillis was back from injury combining with Matt Doeg in the halves, they were able to control the game with some strong support from Rick Williams. They had 36 points on the board at half time and just put on too much pressure with a high quality of structured football.
With games split over three days to fit in with the NRL fixture between Manly and the Warriors at Patersons Stadium, there was even more interest in the other games which will play a role in determining which clubs can earn the right for a double chance in the finals. Positions two and three will be important as the game between positions four and five will be an elimination final.
On Saturday, Fremantle Roosters drew level with South Perth Lions on the ladder when they held out to win 20 to 14 in the NRL curtain-raiser.
The Roosters lost fullback Blaine Edwards in the first three minutes of the game when he left the field with a dislocated shoulder. Edwards has been a major play maker in recent weeks, but is confident of being back for the first week of the finals.
While the Roosters controlled most of the first half, South Perth scored first through Eddie Proudler in the 13th minute against the flow of play. Fremantle were finally rewarded when Brad Gibson scored under the posts at 20 minutes, then two minutes later Delane Edwards went over the line.
The Lions’ Michael Guthrie scored a late first-half try with a good recovery play, but they had to watch as Fremantle’s Dylan Dwyer ran over a try on the bell of half time. With three conversions and a penalty goal, Dwyer led the team into a half time lead of 20 to 10.
The second half saw Fremantle playing in their own half for much of the time, but the Lions were only able to manage four points with the Roosters defense working overtime. Halves Josh Essex and Jon Presley were the main reason for holding the game together for Fremantle.
With the withdrawal of Goldfields from the competition for the last two games, Willagee received a bonus with an automatic 20 nil win.
Rockingham Sharks secured second spot on the ladder with a convincing 54 to 14 win over Kalamunda Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon. The Bulldogs went to an early 14 to 4 lead, but could not stop a rampant Sharks outfit for the rest of the game.
Game Results (subject to official Team Sheets)
First Grade
North Beach Sea Eagles 84 – Joondalup Giants 0
Fremantle Roosters 20 – South Perth Lions 14
Willagee Bears 20 – Goldfields Titans 0
Rockingham Sharks 54 – Kalamunda Bulldogs 14
Premier Grade
North Beach Sea Eagles 34 – Joondalup Giants 16
Fremantle Roosters 18 – South Perth Lions 16
Willagee Bears 76 – Southwest Warriors 10
Rockingham Sharks 76 – Kalamunda Bulldogs 14
Under 18
Joondalup Giants 34 – North Beach Sea Eagles 22
Willagee Bears 46 – Southwest Warriors 4
Rockingham Sharks 36 – Kalamunda Bulldogs 32
LeagueTag
North Beach Sea Eagles 21 – Joondalup Giants 17
Fremantle Roosters 16 – South Perth Lions 6
Willagee Bears 20 – Southwest Warriors 8
Rockingham Sharks 18 – Kalamunda Bulldogs 16