BIG STAKES IN COTT DERBY
Thursday, 29 July 2010 9:16am
by Rick Boyd for RugbyWA
The minor premiership will be in the back of their minds when competition leaders Cottesloe meet third-placed Associates at Harvey Field on Saturday in the RugbyWA club competition match of the round, sponsored by KWIK Transport and Crane Hire.
Reigning premiers Cottesloe are hanging onto the top of the table by a mere point from Nedlands after last weekend’s 15-15 draw against fifth-placed Kalamunda. The premiers came from behind with two second half tries after trailing 15-3 early in the second half, but Cottesloe coach Ian Fowler saw plenty of positives in the contest.
“That was good game,” Fowler said.
“They came out hard and we threw everything at them. They held us out in the first half but we probably had 70 percent territory and possession for the game.
“We were centimetres short a few times and missed a couple of kicks, I think we were unlucky not to win.
“But Kalamunda played well, they’re a good side. I’d be happy if they don’t make the four.”
The Seagulls recent results have not been overly impressive but Fowler is quick to put that in perspective.
“People keep saying we’re not doing this and not doing that, but we’ve only lost once and we’re on top,” he said.
“We can’t be doing too badly.”
Cott’s signature stonewall defence leaked 24 points against Perth-Bayswater and 33 points against Rockingham, the competition’s bottom two teams over consecutive weeks but Fowler points out that those points were little more than consolation to the losing sides.
“No disrespect, but it’s hard to get up for those games,” Fowler said.
“We had our bonus point in both those games after 30 minutes. We were 41-10 against Rockingham and 30-something up against Baysie. We were always going to get our five points, and we had hard games coming up.”
The hardest game was undoubtedly the top of the table clash that deposed Nedlands from the frontrunner’s position.
“That was a quality game, I thought it was probably the best game of the season,” Fowler said.
“They came out and ran pretty hard and our guys were racing up and knocking them over.
“The guys were ready to go right from the outset and we jumped out to 13-0 and kept that margin except for a brief period.
“That was good day for us. We hadn’t set the world on fire against those other teams but we were pretty happy with that game.”
There are no doubts in Fowler’s mind about the importance of the Associates match either.
“It’s a huge game for us,” Fowler said
“Soaks are playing well, they’ve got a few new guys on board, maybe some guys coming back.
“If we win this week we’re confirmed in the top two, and that’s a good position.”
Quiet achievers Associates slid under the radar and into the top four midway through the competition and their only recent loss has been a close defeat against Nedlands in round 14. Along the way they have accounted for Kalamunda and Palmyra.
Fowler expects to field a full strength team on Saturday, provided several players pass muster at Thursday night training.
“Hopefully they’ll all come through,” Fowler said.
“We’ve had a couple of hard weekends and the guys have come up pretty sore.”
In their round seven encounter at Allen Park, Soaks caught Cottesloe on the hop early and the premiers never recovered, losing 17-11.
“We need to play a bit smarter this time,” Fowler said.
“When we thought we were going to score at the end we didn’t, and when the whistle went we hadn’t won.
“It’s always a big game, the Battle of Broome Street.”
A loss would knock Cottesloe off the top of the table, provided Nedlands can account for Rockingham at Sir Charles Court Reserve, although the Royal Blues’ confidence may still be shaky after their 26-25 escape act against University last week. Cottesloe also have to face Palmyra in the final week of competition, while Soaks face the bottom two teams to wrap up the last two rounds. It’s an ideal position for Associates to work their way into the top two and a place in the major semi-final, with its vital second life for the losing side.
But then Palmyra aren’t exactly exuding confidence either at this stage of the season, losing three of their last six games and squeaking home
39-38 last week over wooden spooners Perth-Bayswater after trailing
38-23 with 15 minutes to play. With Kalamunda just one game behind them, last year’s losing grand finalists may find their place in the finals under threat if they can’t find some late form. At that may need to start this weekend when Palmyra face University at Thompkins Park, the students being worryingly competitive in recent weeks.
At Rosalie Park, Wests-Subiaco and Wanneroo will be battling for honour only, while Kalamunda will need to be on their guard at Pat O’Hara Reserve against a young Perth-Bayswater team determined to add some respect as a very disappointing season winds down.
