The Under 18s premier grade championship has been taken out by minor premiers Wanneroo at McGillivray Oval today, a fitting end to a great season for the side, losing just one game in the 2012 season.
Wanneroo were strong from the outset and just a few minutes in hooker Scott Cornell crashed over the try line after a good rolling maul sent him over. The conversion was missed by Tim Koiatu and Wanneroo had the lead 5-0.
UWA opened their account with a successful penalty goal for fullback Owen Wapshaw to close the gap to just two points but that was the closest they got to Wanneroo all day. The Roo Dogs moved the ball back down the field and threatened their try line before UWA managed to turn the ball over.
Wanneroo upped the pressure and UWA conceded an easy try after a poor kick from the in-goal area saw Ben Stimson steal back the ball and crash over for the five points. Koiatu added the extras and Wanneroo were ahead 12-3.
From the kick-off Wanneroo were too strong at the breakdown and again moved the ball forward with minimal phases. From the lineout Stimson drove towards the line and carried it over but some fantastic scrambling defence from Michael Beatty held it up.
Before the half time whistle Wanneroo extended their lead to 19-3 after William Akroyd pick and drove the ball over the line. Koiatu’s conversion was successful.
Wanneroo added their fourth try when Zian Cooke stepped past a UWA defender on his run towards the line before passing off to Colin Moir on the wing who slid over in the corner. The conversion was missed but the Roo Dogs had sewn up the victory.
UWA didn’t give up and scored their first try of the match with Liam O’Shea scooting from the base of the ruck and putting Nicholas Chapman through a gap in the Wanneroo defence. Wapshaw converted the kick but time was against them and Wanneroo ran out winners, 24-10.