Author: PatGarnham

TASMANIAN RUGBY HEATS UP In cold and windy conditions, Round Two of the Tasmanian Rugby statewide competition got under way on Saturday with close contests and big scores. At Warrane, Eastern Suburbs Roosters overcame a tough AMC Vikings side, 16-10. The home side led all day but were constantly tested by a brutal Vikings’ defence. The class of Roosters flyhalf Jake Hyland was the difference as he controlled the game and kept AMC on the back foot. Roosters coach Brett Bourke attributed the win to a dominant forward pack with the scrum in particular providing a steady supply of ball…

Grand final rematch marks Quins dominance early Round one of the Tasmanian Statewide Rugby Union competition saw the headline match being a grand final rematch between 2013 premiers Hobart Harlequins and the 2012 premiers Taroona Penguins. The Taroona scrum was dominant early, coupled with solid phase play provided good field position to provide a three point lead to Taroona though the boot of Christo Le Grange. Quins took their attacking opportunities in the Taroona 22 taking the lead with the first try of the match under the posts. Taroona were opportunistic having tight head prop Sam Graves intercept and dot down…

GRAND FINAL DRAW SEES REPLAY Hobart Harlequins showed their extra-time expertise to hold Taroona Penguins to a 10-10 draw in Saturday’s Tasmanian Rugby grand final at Hobart’s Rugby Park, resulting in a replay next weekend to decide the premiership. With 10 minutes remaining the Penguins defied an adverse penalty count and tremendous defence from Quins when Mikey Whyte scored an overlap try, converted for a 10-5 lead, following several phases close to the Quins line. However, Harlequins remained calm and forced a turnover to set Sunia Ma’afu crashing through a tiring defence, working the ball across their line for Pat Schramm…

FRESH PENGUINS FAVOURED FOR REPEAT TITLE Taroona Penguins enter Saturday’s Tasmanian Rugby grand final at Rugby Park clear favourites to defend last year’s premiership title at Hobart Harlequins expense, despite the teams being grouped together in the top three for most of the season. Neutral supporters will wish Quins well, not the least because of their courageous comeback to snatch last week’s preliminary final and a dogged performance in last year’s grand final despite being reduced to 14 players for over half the match. Harlequins will also be guaranteed to launch attacks from the merest chance, as evidenced by their…

GALLANT QUINS SEE YELLOW BUT PIP STAGS Hobart Harlequins produced a dedicated performance to edge Glenorchy Stags 40-38 with a try in the 100th minute of an epic preliminary final at Rugby Park in Hobart on Saturday, earning themselves a repeat grand final appearance against premiers Taroona Penguins. In perfect conditions the teams produced a nail-biting performance throughout, with Glenorchy giving up a 28-17 lead two minutes into the second half following a neat Wally Dare try and squandering further advantage when Quins were reduced to 13 men late in normal time and 14 with four minutes to run in…

PENGUINS LATE BLOW SINKS QUINS, BULLS BOW OUT TO STAGS With scores drawn and full time looming Taroona Penguins denied Hobart Harlequins shot at direct entry to the Tasmanian Rugby Union grand final with a last minute try to Andrew Wicks sealing a 20-13 win in the major semi-final. Quins wing Tauveli Afeki opened the scoring after 20 minutes despite Taroona setting the early running playing into the wind, with several scoring opportunities not converted. Harlequins were guilty of poor clearing kicks and paid for this as Penguin lock Simon Harmsen crashed over to post a half-time lead 7-5. Territorial…

SET-PLAY TEST OF FAVOURITISM FOR STAGS AGAINST BULLS Glenorchy Stags and Devonport Bulls might both be wary of assuming favouritism for Saturday’s Tasmanian Rugby elimination semi-final at Rugby Park in Hobart, with the key maybe lying in each team’s performance in the set-plays. The Stags have Chris Harwood back in their front-row seeking break-even against Devonport’s tough young tight-head Luke Bryan.  With neither lineout seemingly a huge threat on the other’s throw a steady scrum platform could give Glenorchy’s in-form backs handy field position. The Bulls lineout seeks consistency against taller timber to ensure they can capitalise in the attacking…

QUINS TOO QUICK FROM THE BLOCKS FOR BULLS Visiting Hobart Harlequins made light of the absence of some key performers in posting a 17-7 half-time lead before defeating Devonport Bulls 38-26 in the final regular season Tasmanian Rugby round at Don Rec Ground in Devonport on Saturday. ‘Our backline defence took a while to settle but we recovered well’, said coach Derik Joubert of the Bulls performance.  ‘We just couldn’t read the rulings at the breakdown and it affected our momentum.’  Replacement flanker Bertie Loubser and starting forwards Luke Johnson and Luke Bryan provided plenty up front for the Bulls,…

PENGUINS PRESSURE QUESTIONS QUINS COMPOSURE Taroona Penguins took their chances to out-manoeuvre Hobart Harlequins 25-17 at Rugby Park on Saturday and press a compelling claim for the minor premiership, the margin and manner of defeat reflecting the frustration of Quins in not being able to convert the pressure of the first hour over the last 20 minutes. Concerns may accrue for Harlequins post-match through the red-carding of Fale Atileo and Sunia Ma’afu by referee Sean Kelly in the closing stages, as Quins tried to retrieve the lead and nullify a torrid penalty count. Quins rode the slim advantage of a successful…

TASSIE JUNIOR RUGBY TEAMS NO MATCH FOR VICS Tasmanian junior rugby sides suffered heavy losses to their Victorian Schools counterparts over the weekend of 17-18 August, although all ages improved greatly on their Saturday performances in Sunday’s return matches. Victoria showed the added strength the Melbourne Rebels community arm has added to their schools rugby competition, producing squads with skilful players and had a considerable size and strength advantage over the local teams. Saturday’s matches, at Rugby Park in Hobart provided a culture shock, with Victoria taking the Under 14s 101-0, Under 16s 60-0 and Under 18s 77-3 showing a…

TOP TEAMS STORM TO VICTORY Leading Tasmanian Rugby teams Hobart Harlequins and Taroona Penguins retained their stranglehold over the ladder with convincing wins on Saturday. At Rugby Park in Hobart, Harlequins endured 30 minutes of mistake-riddled rugby before Paulo Pua posted a double for a 12-3 lead against 14-man Launceston Bees. Launceston stuck to task with fierce breakdown defence for the remainder of the half before conceding points by the clock after the break, with Quins eventually winning 71-3. Quins’ scrum-half Fale Atileo tormented the Bees defence, varying slick service with bustling runs. The chip kick was preferred by skipper…

PENGUINS OUTLAST GUTSY ROOSTERS Taroona Penguins were forced to the limit in posting an unconvincing 18-0 win over Eastern Suburbs Roosters at Rugby Park in Hobart on Saturday. ‘Easts showed today that they really are a much improved outfit, both in belief and structure’, said Taroona coach David Whyte, who recommended some changes in approach at half-time, when his side looked fortunate to lead 6-0. The Penguins showed their maturity by varying the point of attack and trusting the physical toll that the scrum had invested would bring dividends. The Roosters were undoubtedly hampered by the loss of Daniel Reid…

LIONS CLAW LAUNCESTON FROM FOURTH Hobart Lions upset Launceston Bees 22-13 at the Hutchins School in Hobart on Saturday. The win edged Launceston from fourth place and was built on a strong forward display in front of a jubilant home crowd, capping a feast of rugby with over 100 junior players from around the state showcasing their talent in perfect conditions. Hobart’s prop Paulo Saissoa and fellow veteran Terry Richardson showed from the outset that the Lions didn’t concede Launceston favouritism as they blitzed the edge of the ruck and pressured the Bees scrum. Lions halves Jon Clack and…

QUINS OUTLAST RED MEN Hobart Harlequins continue undefeated at the head of the Tasmanian Rugby ladder following Saturday’s 48-15 defeat of University Red Men at Rugby Park in Hobart. Round 12 followed a bye for all teams to allow the Tasmanian Rep Team, the Jack Jumpers, to travel to Adelaide for the State Representative Challenge. Although Tassie were unlucky to come away without a win, halfback Fale Atileo was named player of the tournament. Read more on the Jack Jumpers website > The margin reflected harshly on University’s performance, but they proved their own detractors through inconsistency, two fine tries…

Quins cool under Roosters pressure Hobart Harlequins outlasted a tenacious Eastern Suburbs Roosters to post a 27-6 win in atrocious conditions at Rugby Park in Hobart on Saturday to retain their Tasmanian Rugby competition lead. Both teams played well up the slope, with Easts adapting to the conditions and taking an early lead before leaking two fairly soft tries as Quins overcame their lethargy. As the match unfolded Quins rode the charges of skipper Sunai Ma’afu and Ivan Meaclem and received some good direction from Dave Woulleman to apply telling territorial pressure. The Roosters best performers were found in their…

QUINS LATE BLITZ STUNS LIONS Hobart Harlequins’ late run of scoring bowed Hobart Lions 38-15 at Rugby Park in Hobart on Saturday, but not before the Lions had neutralised the leaders’ attacking flair with clever mauling play. ‘Hobart never lie down, we always struggle against them, and we thought the dominance of our forwards from last week would continue’, said Harlequins coach Colin Fielea, happy with the form of his son and triple try-scorer Sid Fielea, Michael Frost and Pat Schramm. Quins fly-half Amosa Tomoariki directed possession to Fielea over the last quarter, the centre responding with two long-range tries…

LAST GASP TRY SEES QUINS ON TOP AT HALFWAY Hobart Harlequins’ centre Sid Fielea sealed his team’s competition lead by running in an 85 metre try with four minutes on the clock to overcome a courageous Devonport Bulls outfit 24-19 in wet conditions at Rugby Park in Hobart on Saturday. Quins remain undefeated at the halfway mark of the home and away season but both sides were slightly below full strength. Quins’ flanker Pat Schramm scored two tries, one in each half, bracketing Fielea with lock Jeff Altmann as Harlequins stand-outs, and the pack provided secure set play possession, allowing…

FREE-WHEELING QUINS OUTLAST PENGUINS Undefeated Harlequins snatched the Tasmanian Rugby competition lead from Taroona Penguins winning 35-13 at Rugby Park on Saturday, after trailing 8-0 at half time. As well as Harlequins played, Taroona contributed to their own demise through failing to press home a clear set-play advantage established in the first period. ‘We were done like kippers’, commented Penguins coach David Whyte, adding his side understood the Quins preferred game plan, but failed to maintain the responsibilities required to continue early dominance. Quins’ fly-half Amosa Tomoariki directed kick, pass and counter options to harry the Penguins outside backs, Sid…

ROOSTERS RUN RIOT AGAINST LACK-LUSTRE LIONS Eastern Suburbs Roosters produced decade-best performance in subduing Hobart Lions 36-22 at Rugby Park in Hobart, confirming the promise of a revival that has built throughout the season. Led by barnstorming Rob Casboult, ably supported by Phil Barry and Marc Whitfield amongst a host of tidy performers the Roosters weren’t headed, two late tries to Hobart’s Ikwhan Sallih reducing the margin as the Lions laid siege to Easts tryline, being denied several tries by last ditch defence. ‘We trained hard this week and to our credit the players climbed a mountain today’, said Easts…

LIONS SURGE LEAVES BULLS WANTING Devonport Bulls squandered a magnificent first half performance through indiscipline to be run down 20-17 by Hobart Lions in difficult windy conditions at Rugby Park on Saturday, with the result costing them the Tasmanian Rugby premiership lead. The Bulls trailed only 8-7 at half-time and led until a minute from time after a fine 40 metre try from Mark Meo following another from Courtney Harris and accurate goal-kicking from Connor Mack, but their best efforts were eroded by a procession of penalties throughout the second half, the Lions taking full toll with tries to Doug…