Author: Michael Dole

Just another rugby tragic, spreading the gospel to anyone who will listen... and plenty that won't

In the match of the round Southern Districts beat premiers Moorabbin 42-29 at Riviera Reserve. Up by just two at the break, the home side were able to finish the job after falling short last week against Power House. Highlights of the match can be seen 8:30 Friday night on Melbourne’s only dedicated rugby programme – Ch 31’s Rugby Time A much improved performance by Box Hill was not enough to challenge Power House at Albert Park on Saturday. The home side ran out 36-17 winners. Harlequins kept their unbeaten run going with a comfortable home win over the students.…

Read More

Kurtley Beale has checked into a private health clinic to deal with ‘ongoing issues’. In a statement issued by the Melbourne Rebels the club has advised: Kurtley will take an indefinite leave of absence from playing rugby to seek assistance in resolving personal issues. Kurtley has voluntarily entered a private health facility in order to undertake counselling for ongoing issues. He has done this with the backing of ARU, RUPA and the Melbourne Rebels who congratulate him on this decision to seek assistance. Any future selection will be dependent upon successful completion of his treatment program. The Club asks media…

Read More

Power House continued their unbeaten run with a come from behind 32-29 victory against Southern Districts at Albert Park on Saturday. Power House, running in to a stiff breeze in the first half, quickly found themselves behind when fly-half Wayne Mataiti, crossed under the posts after taking an offload from a barnstorming Tom Broughton. Southern Districts were over again just two minutes later following a Power House turnover inside their own quarter. Southern quickly shifted the ball to Gasa Tiatia, who took off down the left hand side and carried two defenders over the line to extend the lead to…

Read More

The beef and egg burgers were back on the grill at Box Hill as the Dewar Shield got underway for 2013 season. Jordy Reid turned out for Quins while Alex Rokabaro was a late withdrawal. Box Hill, tough to beat at home, were led by Adam Lewis on a day made for running rugby. Both sides looked to throw the ball wide early on with last ditch defence and a number of pushed passes conspiring to keep the sheet clean for the opening quarter of an hour. The teams traded penalty goals soon after before the home side scored the…

Read More

Moorabbin Rams upset minor premiers Melbourne to take the Dewar Shield 30-24 on a wet and windy day in Box Hill. In an entertaining match up played in trying conditions the Rams ran out winners, four tries to two. The game started slowly as both sides concentrated on ball security in the opening exchanges. Melbourne had most of the field position but were unable to create any real try scoring opportunities. The Rams’ defence was disciplined and withstood a number of early attacking raids. The pressure started to tell however and the Unicorns were awarded an opportunity to open the…

Read More

The Moorabbin Rams are through to next week’s Dewar Shield final after overcoming a spirited Footscray side at Keys Rd on Saturday. The 30-27 victory means the Rams will face a highly fancied Melbourne outfit who overcame Power House to maintain their unbeaten season. The Rams got off to a quick start skipping to a 10-3 lead inside the first fifteen minutes. A try to Lua Vailoaloa after a second man move stretched the lead to 15-3, and it could have been more as the game opened up with plenty of expansive play by both sides.  Elijah Harris led the…

Read More

Harlequins withstood a spirited second half performance from Power House to seal third spot and a home qualifying final with a 20-17 win at a water-logged Albert Park on Saturday.  Quins had all the running early winning three penalties in the first five minutes. A much improved lineout effort from the away side set up consistent forward pressure and Mark Luafalealo crashed over off the back of a rolling maul for the first try of the match after seven minutes. Power House replied with three points of their own through Josh Blanksby, but were on the back foot shortly after…

Read More