Shamrocks Stay Alive In Finals Race

In an eventful somewhat bizarre eighty minutes of Rugby at Gerry Cappetta Oval on Saturday, Shamrocks have kept their tenuous semi-final hopes alive with a 38 – 24 win over Avondale. Referee Andrew Strode had his hands full from the outset as the match started in a frantic aggressive manner, culminating in a nasty melee involving just about every player on the field after just three minutes.

Following a heavy tackle by Wombat center Nua Alone on Shamrock skipper Anthony Allport, players from both sides came together mid field in a spiteful exchange which left Allport prone on the ground nursing a facial injury.

Once calm was restored Referee Strode consulted with his experienced assistants John Salisbury and Neill Greaves and the colored cards were produced. Shamrocks Fullback Rhys Peters saw Yellow as he was adjudged to be the third player involved in the melee. Wombat center Alone was Yellow Carded as well for striking. Then star Avondale Fullback Silipa Tuigamala was called out and Red Carded, destined to face a Contrary Conduct - Striking charge at Judiciary which will put him in extreme danger of missing the Final series.

As the player’s nerves settled the football started with the Wombats posting first points through big No. 8 Tuumuliileuao Taiti-Taanoa who had a clear run to the line on the end of a long pass to score in the twelfth minute. Minutes later the Rocks cleaver No.9 Rory Davis deftly put Jesse Roche through a gap close to the Avondale line for the front rower to score the first of his two tries for the day. A conversion from Lock Heath Mercer gave the Rocks the lead 7 – 5 after seventeen minutes.

Both sides settled down to their work with play moving at pace and with heavy exchanges between both packs the bigger Wombat eight started to gain the ascendancy. In a five minute period Avondale put on two tries as they produced their best attacking form.

On the back of trademark strong forward play from the Wombats it fell to winger Blake Spencer to score out wide after Fly-Half Antonio Ale put Lock Amulone Ika away down the left. Halfback Andrew Duggan missed with his second conversion attempt but Avondale were back in front 10 – 7. Three minutes later on the back of more forward dominance, Front-Rower Anthony Amone was pulled down just short of the Rocks line, and after two more phases of play Taanoa crossed for his second try of the match. Ale took over the kicking duties, converting the try as the Wombats took a ten point 17 – 7 lead with thirteen left in the half.

Four minutes from the break Wombat’s Nua Alone was once again called out after some frantic play close to the Avondale line.  Alone was adjudged to have made a high tackle and given his second Yellow Card. Automatically this becomes a Red Card with the center now also required to attend the next Judiciary hearing, and Avondale were now down two players for the remainder of the match.

As half-time beckoned Rocks No.8 Iszak Lunney, broke form a scrum twenty out and went to the blind where he drew the defenders giving the speedy Rory Davis a clear run to the line for Shamrocks second try. Mercer kicked his second conversion to bring the Rocks to within three at the break with Avondale clinging to a 17 – 14 lead.