With a finals spot on the line, Cottesloe flourished under the pressure and were too good for top-of-the-table Nedlands today, winning 20-9.
Cottesloe’s defensive efforts were exemplary as they restricted Nedlands to just three penalty goals for the game and although it was an arm-wrestle for much of the game, the Gulls were hungrier for the win.
Cottesloe coach Ian Fowler was thrilled with his side’s result with finals just around the corner.
“It was fantastic to get the win today with the boys sticking to what we practised and working really hard defensively,” said Fowler.
“Nedlands are a good side so to break them down a couple of times to get some tries; it was really pleasing.
The Gulls now sit one point clear of the fourth placed UWA and one win ahead of Palmyra and will need to defeat wooden spoon holders Rockingham next week to really cement their finals berth.
“We’ll be four points ahead of Palmyra now but Rockingham can still spring a surprise so we’ve got to be at our best and make sure we play well next week,” Fowler said.
“We got a bit loose in the end (against Nedlands), we went away from our pattern in the last ten minutes, we dropped a lot of ball and threw 50/50 passes so we’ve got to make sure we maintain what we’re trying to achieve on the field.
Tony Ball said his side’s effort didn’t meet expectations and they allowed Cottesloe to get on top of them.
“We just didn’t work hard enough for it today,” said Ball.
“With a makeshift backline we had to win up front and we didn’t do that.
“I thought our forwards let us down today; I asked a lot of them and they didn’t deliver.”
Despite his disappointment, Ball was adamant Nedlands would bounce back and show their form during finals.
“When it comes to finals, whatever happened during the year doesn’t matter so we’ll play out the season, hopefully get a win next week and take home the minor premiership and it all changes again when you get to finals,” he said.
Cottesloe meant business from the outset and made a strong break for the line ten minutes in but couldn’t break through the Nedlands defence.
Nedlands were aggressive at the breakdown and were penalised in front of the posts which allowed Cottesloe flyhalf, Sam Heinemann to kick start the scoring with his penalty goal.
The Gulls again made a beeline for the try line and were rewarded after a number of phases with Digby Glass receiving the ball and diving over under the posts. Heinemann was again on target and extended their lead 10-0.
The score remained the same for the next 20 minutes as both sides ruthlessly defended their territory.
Nedlands posted their first score of the game after passing up an opportunity to attack the try line and opted for three points instead. Flyhalf Mike Botes slotted it with ease to take the scores to 10-3.
Minutes later, Cottesloe were penalised again and Botes put his side within four points with an impressive kick from the halfway line.
With a couple of minutes remaining on the clock, Nedlands looked to have taken the lead as they scrambled over the try line but the referee disallowed the points as Cottesloe were obstructed in their defensive attempts.
It was a slow start to the second half with neither side gaining any momentum as the ball was turned over, time and time again.
Cottesloe finally broke the stalemate when Jarred Cropper received the ball on the 22 and evaded the Nedlands’ defence before tumbling over in the corner. Heinemann missed the conversion and Cottesloe were ahead 15-6.
Nedlands clawed back the lead slightly with Botes’ third penalty goal but that was the end of the scoring run for the home side.
The victory was sealed for Cottesloe when Davey Kirton kicked a perfectly placed ball into the try area and Eric Vasukicakau beat the Nedlands chaser’s to ground the ball to put his side ahead 20-9.
Cottesloe were thrilled when the final siren sounded and will be confident they have given themselves a good chance of a finals berth come September.