BULLS GRIND THEIR WAY TO GRAND FINAL
Saturday, 16 August 2008 8:25pm
by Rick Boyd
Minor premiers Kalamunda are through to the grand final after a low key, low scoring 13-11 win over runners-up Nedlands today at Rugby Park in the major semi-final of the RugbyWA club competition, sponsored by KWIK Crane and Transport Hire.
Nedlands dominated a slow first half that ended with a flurry of action, the only tries of the day being scored in the final five minutes of the first spell. But the minor premiers gained forward control in the second half and played patient finals rugby backed up by rugged defence to tough out a close, tense finish.
The teams were evenly matched across the park, with the Bulls having an edge in the scrums and making headway with driving forward play from ruck ball. Kalamunda's ferocious defence shut down the swift Nedlands back line and their backs played uncharacteristically careful finals rugby leaving few holes to be exploited.
Nedlands claimed a penalty from the kick off, kicked for the line and stayed in Kalamunda's half to test their early defences. The Bulls won the race to a kick through in goal after 8 minutes as Neddies probed in the opening phases but nerves from both teams kept the semi-final scoreless.
The Bulls escaped after 15 minutes and attacked Neddies' line for five minutes with enthusiam but no result and a long kick returned Nedlands to Kalamunda territory.
Neddies flyhalf Nathan Roberts narrowly missed a 40 metre penalty goal for offside after 21 minutes as points remained at a premium. Nedlands didn't want for opportunities but Kalamunda's aggressive defence locked them out, and after 25 minutes the Bulls again broke out to mount their own offensive. But after knocking on following three promising phases of attack, the Bulls settled for an angled 35 metre penalty goal to flanker Kyle Skiba after 32 minutes, for the first score in a tense and surprisingly cagey semi-final.
However, Nedlands struck back immediately, spinning the ball wide after a lineout on the 22 and centre Garth Ziegler crossed out wide on the short side after the fifth phase. The sideline conversion missed but Neddies led 5-3 with minutes left in the half.
In a sudden explosion of action, Kalamunda raced onto the attack and centre Conrad Gillingham went over the line in a pile of bodies, but referee Sean Popplewell ruled the ball held up. Then from the scrum the ball went wide and an enormous cut out pass found wing Dave Kara on the sideline and he shrugged off one tackle to shoot over the line in the corner. Skiba converted from the sideline and the minor premiers claimed a 10-5 half time lead.
The Bulls opened the second spell stronger and pressured the opposition line but Neddies wrestled back and an even midfield tussle unfolded until Nedlands reserve wing Ren Delberto landed an angled 30 metre penalty goal for offside nine minutes in.
Neddies reserve number eight Joe Egan almost scored from a quick tap and charge but was held up after 18 minutes, and Delberto missed a long range penalty for offside following the movement as Nedlands struggled desperately to make up lost ground.
Kalamunda increasingly dominated territory as the semi-final entered the final 20 and with 11 minutes to play Skiba landed an angled 35 metres kick following an obstruction, the Bulls gaining a small safety margin at 13-8.
But Nedlands charged back and restored the margin with a penalty goal by reserve centre Cameron Sinden with five minutes on the clock, setting up a nail-biting finish at 13-11.
However, Kalamunda regained their momentum and kept play down Nedlands' end as the minutes wound down. Neddies had one last good chance with a penalty lineout into injury time but knocked on, and Kalamunda steadied in defence until the final whistle.
Kalamunda coach Paul King attributed the close, tactical outcome to a change in direction from his team for the business end of the season, particularly late in the game when Kalamunda kicked coolly to control territory and maintain a narrow lead.
"That's finals football, very much so," King said.
"We tried to play a more controlled game today rather than attack at all costs, and that's what finals are all about.
"We have tried to play a really attacking style of football but teams just seem to kick to us, and capitlise on us making mistakes. So we thought about that a lot, we just thought we'd play controlled rugby.
"I was pleased with the boys. We talked about finals football and how different it is to the normal season, and the boys went well."
King praised his side's defence as the outstanding feature of their game.
"Our defence has always been there, but today we were just a bit more organised, except for one occasion when they split us," King said.
"Our attack's always been there too, and I think we're the highest scoring team this year in the competition and I think that showed in the points, but our defence shone through today."
King gave credit to the depth of talent in the Kalamunda club and the unity that has developed between the top grades.
"It's vital," King said.
"There's a good buzz all around the whole Kalamunda club, first and second grade in the finals, which is great, our under 18s play tomorrow, the fourths are in there, it's all good.
"It's a good time, we have to embrace it, that's what you play for."
King is looking forward to the break before the grand final in two weeks, while the comeptiton goes through the mill of the preliminary final.
"I don't mind the week off," King said.
"Any injuries, we have time to get over them, more preparation for whatever team makes it, we just get that little bit of extra time."
And is King expecting any players back from injury to make in impact on the grand final?
"No comment," said the laconic Kiwi with a wide smile.
In other major semi-finals today, in an impressive double Kalamunda second grade defeated Nedlands 35-33, Cottesloe third grade defeated Mandurah 20-16, Nedlands fourth grade defeated Southern Lions 18-8, ARKs fifth grade defeated Nedlands 34-22, Nedlands Under 20s defeated Associates 6-0 and Wests-Subiaco Under 18s defeated Perth-Bayswater 40-17.
Nedlands will have to wait until after tomorrow's minor semi-final at Rugby Park to see whether they face tenacious 2007 premiers Perth-Bayswater or this season's surprise package, Wanneroo, in next week's preliminary final.
