There were two games earlier in the day.
ACT 33 — Western Australia 25
by “Lee Grant”
First half
WA had sickness in their camp but they started well and after some pick an goes 1. Lorenzo Mario scored wide out a few minutes in.
As it was several times this week the other team responded soon after surrendering a try. After getting the ball near the middle of the field reserve flanker, Nick Saunders, saw space out wide and made a beeline for the corner post and scored for the ACT. WA had converted their try so they were still ahead after 13 minutes: 7-5 .
Reserve back Jonathan Pouono took the ball up in the WA 22 and when the ball was switched wide, winger Sam Ross scored in the corner where Saunders got his try. The ACT got the lead for the first time: 10-7.
After Nicholas Jooste got two penalty goals for WA they were ahead 13-10 at half time.
The ACT may have scored two tries to one but WA was playing the better footie.
Second half
After a good restart WA was on the charge but a scrum penalty set them back. Then when the ACT got their chance the WA centres were too narrow and 13 Liam Simonnson ran outside and scored the the corner eight minutes after the break. They had regained the lead 15-13.
Three minutes after that try 5 Brodie Leber scored the softest of tries for the ACT when he ran through defenders who had left an empty path to follow and he scored under the sticks. Reserve back Harry Tyson would have been relieved to have an easy conversion at last: ACT 22-13.
Thirteen minutes in WA were dithering with some meaningless passes and reserve prop Moala Ahoafi intercepted one and hared up the field. After a long run (which will be 40 metres in few years’ time) he thought it would be a good idea to pass the ball to a fellow who had more pace. Ross got the benefit of the 50 metre break and scored.
WA looked down and out but the boys from the west didn’t think so. They got down into the ACT 22 and from a superb body postion Mario burst through three defenders to score his second try. After a cracking wide conversion by Jooste, ACT were still ahead but now by only 27-20.
22 minutes into the half it was game on !!
WA made a break after the restart and had a promising move but a long pass could not be taken. Then they got another opportunity and 14 Clay Uyen streaked over near the corner. Could Jooste kick another wide kick? No; and ACT were still in front 27-25.
But there were still a few minutes to score points and that’s what happened—but they were scored by the ACT. A couple of penalties ran down the clock and the ACT won 33-25.
After being unlucky going down to NSW II 17 – 18 on Day 1, the ACT would have been relieved to get one win in their three pool games.
WA did well considering the sickness in their camp. They played their best game of the week but couldn’t quite get the win.
The scoring
ACT 33 (S Ross (2) N Saunders, L Simonsson, B Leber tries; H Tyson con, J Fulivai 2 pens) bt Western Australia 25 (L Mario (2) C Uyen tries; N Jooste 2 cons, 2 pens)
See next page for a brief report on the second game of the day
