2013 WARL Premiership
Saturday May 11, 2013 – Round 7
Fremantle over Willagee in Derby
In a game that could shape the season for either side Fremantle Roosters put in a solid second half to win 38 to 12 against Willagee Bears and show them what they will need to do to become a major threat later in the season.
After scoring on the bell of half time the Roosters held a 6 point lead after a physical first forty minutes. The Bears seemed tentative to start with and allowed Fremantle too much ball, but when they settled they looked like they could take the game all the way.
Fremantle’s Ben Wood scored four tries including a hat-trick within ten minutes in the second half which broke open the game. The Roosters structure in the second half was the difference as they piled on 24 points to 4.
Both sides were frustrated with the high penalty count which influenced and spoilt what could have been a good free flowing game and saw five players sent to the sin bin.
Andrew Korn, coach of Fremantle felt his side played too much individual football in the first half.
“In the second half we came out and played more like a team and were able to counter the defensive tactics of the Bears”.
Willagee’s coach, Lenoir Tairea realised what they need to do. “They started and finished better than we did, and we will need to work more on the basics to improve in the future”.
Best players were Wood and Gareth Martin for Fremantle and Brigham Martin with a big tackle count and Carlos Rameka for the Bears.
South Perth and North Beach both returned to some good form to end the round with convincing wins for the day.
South Perth still without a full squad had a 48 to 6 win over Kalamunda Bulldogs, who remain winless. They were able to control the play for the game with Jon Phipps returning and scoring two tries from five eight. Michael Guthrie who has been building back to his best form played well and was best afield.
North Beach Sea Eagles hit their best form for the season with a runaway 70 to 6 win over Joondalup Giants. They shared the ball across the lines and created a lot more run than in recent weeks and seem to have their season back on track.
Matt Doeg and Kieran Tarrant were best for the Sea Eagles with SG Ball debutant Tom Leddey scoring three tries after coming off the bench.
Game Results
First Grade
Fremantle Roosters 38 – Willagee Bears 12
North Beach Sea Eagles 70 – Joondalup Giants 6
South Perth Lions 48 – Kalamunda Bulldogs 6
BYE: Rockingham Sharks
Premier Grade
Fremantle Roosters 64 – Willagee Bears 12
North Beach Sea Eagles 46 – Joondalup Giants 10
South Perth Lions 34 – Kalamunda Bulldogs 14
Rockingham Sharks 70 – South West Warriors 20
Under 18
Joondalup Giants 60 – North Beach Sea Eagles 10
Kalamunda Bulldogs 26 – South Perth Lions 20
Rockingham Sharks 74 – South West Warriors 24
LeagueTag
Fremantle Roosters 24 – Willagee Bears 8
Joondalup Giants 28 – North Beach Sea Eagles 6
South Perth Lions 34 – Kalamunda Bulldogs 20
Rockingham Sharks 42 – South West Warriors 4
By Richard Campbell.