PENGUINS PUMP LIMP LIONS

Taroona Penguins emphatically re-asserted their Tasmanian Rugby premiership credentials with a 64-0 win over Hobart Lions at RugbyPark in Hobart on Saturday, defying gale-force conditions to score 9 tries through a rampant backline.

The Penguins led 6-0 after two minutes and 26-0 at half-time after running with the elements, posting even more points into the gale as the Lions’ injury-induced changes weakened a sluggish defensive line.  ‘A very hard day at the office’, was Lions coach Adam Johnston’s summary.

The Penguins ran all possession and coach David Whyte was pleased with their focus.  ‘Recent matches with Hobart have been mental games and we stuck to our plan.’  Whyte was particularly pleased with Ollie Bird, who scored probably the try of the day, Stefanis Steyn and Anthony Lean but hailed a true team effort.  Hobart were best served by Ikwhan Sallih, Derek Clack and Jason Hall, but individual efforts foundered through lack of support in attack and defence.

Harlequins prospered under the lights at Warrane to overcome Eastern Suburbs Roosters 45-5.  Fine individual efforts characterised Quins scoring and they eased under better Easts pressure after leading 33-5 at the break.  Sid Fielea was a constant threat running from scrum-half with Pat Schramm, Sunia Ma’afu and Dave Woulleman, particularly evident in counter-attack.

Whilst pleased, coach Colin Fielea says he’s seeking better support play in coming weeks.  Brett Bourke of Easts said ‘we’ll be better for the loss – the boys got ahead of themselves’.  The Roosters Marc Whitfield, Richard Miller and Jonno McCarthy featured solidly throughout.

The home teams’ predominance at Royal Park saw AMC Vikings and Launceston prevail over University and Glenorchy Stags respectively.  AMC won 24-22 in a torrid encounter, several players rating the day than any other they’d experienced.  The Vikings’ Falatoese Talapusi and Saimone Lavakeiaho and prop Hugh Kaneley were in great form.

University’s scorers included Mike Kadjiolka and French import Augustine Duplante but penalties and unforced errors stifled their momentum.  Saul Lopa and Shaun Deigan were the Red Men’s best performed in a frustrating day for the visitors.

Launceston played sternly to defy Glenorchy 20-12, getting the ball wide through persistence by their pack.  Launceston’s Gus Cosgrove and Geoff Sutton scored tries and good kicking from Jake Shayer boosted the score with Perry Chancellor and Glen Morgan prominent around the park.  The Stags best were Chris Harwood, Sean McCann and Josh Dorahy.

Devonport Bulls defeated Burnie Emus 71-5 at Devonport, with their pack, led by rapidly developing prop Luke Bryan, providing space to run the Emus ragged in defence.  Shaun Puke, Alex Rimmer and 5-try scorer Mark Meo were prominent as the Bulls scored 11 tries in all.  ‘We scored first and it all went downhill from there’, said Emus skipper Brett Bentley, who recognised the efforts of Michael Grace and Kai Brown.

Scores round 2

Taroona 64 def Hobart Lions 0
Harlequins 45 def Eastern Suburbs 5
AMC Vikings 24 def University 22
Launceston 20 def Glenorchy 12
Devonport 71 def Burnie 5

Ladder after round 2

Taroona 9
Harlequins 7
Devonport 6
University 6
AMC Vikings 6
Launceston 5
Eastern Suburbs 5
Burnie 5
Hobart 3
Glenorchy 1