Author: PatGarnham

QUINS WIN SEES TOP FOUR CEMENTED Hobart Harlequins remain second in the Tasmanian Rugby premiership table, despite clocking off early in an inconsistent 38-10 win over AMC Vikings at Rugby Park on Saturday. Quins led 28-0 at half-time and only scored from 95 metres on full-time to level the second half scoring. For Quins Paulo Pua scored three tries, but was shaded on the day by Pat Schramm and Matt Mitchell. Most scoring was from long range, with Quins coach Colin Fielea very happy with his side’s counter-attacking execution, but his squad struggled to pressure at the scrum and failed…

RUNNING BULLS SHOVE PENGUINS TO THIRD Devonport Bulls took the Tasmanian Rugby competition lead winning 36-26 over Taroona Penguins in an intense but attractive performance at Devonport on Saturday. The loss reduced Taroona to third place but Taroona coach David Whyte was philosophical about the result, particularly as his less experienced side scored two tries in the last 7 minutes. ‘We didn’t travel as well as we might have and didn’t play to the game plan in the first half’, said Whyte. Bulls’ mentor Derik Joubert was happy with his team’s defensive organisation and acknowledged good movement of the ball…

While there was snow down to 900m in Hobart, Rugby Park came alight with two cracking games in round three of the Tasmanian Club Rugby competition.

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…

Taroona hold off Stags’ charge Round one of the Tasmanian Rugby Union statewide competition provided entertainment at every match, showing just how close the ten team competition has become. In a display of indifferent quality but plenty of character, Tasmanian Rugby Union defending premiers Taroona Penguins held on to prevail 14-12 over a gutsy Glenorchy Stags at Rugby Park. Taroona looked to have slipped the leash with a fourth minute try to Christo Le Grange who converted his own try and added a penalty shortly after. But Glenorchy flanker Doug Smith stuck back crossing the chalk to bring the score…

Israel Folau wowed a Tasmanian crowd of 9,751 with two tries in his first top-level rugby match, but the earlier 3rd Tier fixture proved to be just as entertaining with the Tasmanian Jack Jumpers and  South Australian Invitation XV putting on a display of running rugby at North Hobart Oval. The home team came out victorious 35-16 after scores were locked 3-3 at half-time. After dominating throughout the home side prevailed via a secure defence that continually trapped the visitors behind the gain line, a dominant scrum that turned over hard-won South Australian possession at the scrum-base, and by racking up…

Top class rugby is coming to Hobart, with the Rebels to face off against the Waratahs at North Hobart Oval on Saturday, 2 February, in a pre-season trial match. Now this is all well and good, but what’s happening with the 3rd Tier? Like with any good footy match there will be a curtain raiser: the Tasmanian Jack Jumpers will take on their own challenge playing against the a South Australian President’s XV. This will give the Hobart crowd four states of rugby in one day. Before the main event two games will be played at North Hobart Oval. Women’s…

TRIUMPHANT TAROONA DENY QUINS PREMIERSHIP The Taroona Penguins have claimed the 2012 Tasmanian Rugby Union premiership beating the Hobart Harlequins 18-17 in a close encounter at Rugby Park in Hobart on Saturday. Strong winds created challenging conditions but discipline was the greatest challenge of the day. Referee Grant Rogers started the day by speaking to both teams regarding his expectations for the next 80 minutes, it took only two minutes for Harlequins centre Jamon Starcovic to be yellow carded for punching in a tackle. Down to 14 players Harlequins had to defend their line against Taroona who had the wind…

QUINS RIDE EARLY BLITZ TO OVER-RUN BULLS Hobart Harlequins have climbed from fourth place to the Tasmanian Rugby grand final with a wholehearted 29-21 victory over Devonport Bulls on Saturday. Quins took hold of the match early, leading 19-0 at the break in perfect conditions in the presence of a good crowd at Devonport. Quins will now play the Taroona Penguins in the grand final to be played on Saturaday 8 September at 2.30pm at Rugby Park. The home side pulled out some great rugby to close to 26-21 with 15 minutes to go but conceded penalties in attempting to apply pressure.…

Last five minutes key in both Semis Hobart Harlequins and Taroona Penguins both beat time to advance in two tense semi-finals in blustery conditions at Rugby Park on Saturday. Quins won to a sideline penalty by fly-half Dave Wollemann to eliminate Hobart Lions 22-20 and the Penguins celebrated a Charlie Holmes try to win 26-22 over Devonport Bulls. Harlequins drew on two electric tries to centre Sid Fielea running against the wind, before the Lions replied with tries to Dave Craig and Wilhelm Koch to lead 17-12 at half-time. Hobart’s defence fell off high tackle attempts, negating a clever kicking…

Persistent penguins hold on to top spot Despite having to wait until the 74th minute Taroona Penguins rode to the Tasmanian Rugby minor premiership on the back of wing Rob Holmes’ second try in overcoming Launceston Bees 22-7 at Royal Park on Saturday finishing under lights. The result propelled ringside viewers Harlequins into fourth spot at Launceston’s expense after they accounted for AMC Vikings 70-5 in the early match, meaning Devonport Bulls finished second on percentage and were denied a home final. Launceston missed two kickable penalty chances after trailing 7-0 at half-time to worry Taroona, who were out of…

LIONS KICK TO RECOVERY OVER QUINS Hobart Lions recovered from a 17-3 half-time deficit to edge Harlequins 18-17 at Rugby Park on Saturday, the result provoking anxiety amongst the Quins camp at the effect on their finals chances. Harlequins had no concerns after two fine tries to centre Sid Fielea and another to Number 8 Sunia Ma’afu brought a 17-0 lead after 22 minutes, the last coming after a solid maul had concentrated the Lions defensive line.  However the pursuit of a bonus point fourth try through out and out attack produced lateral Quins running allowing Matt Himson and Dave…

PENGUINS CLAWED BY PERSISTENT LIONS Hobart Lions reminded Tasmanian Rugby followers they are not making up the numbers by defeating Taroona Penguins 27-24 at Rugby Park on Saturday. Despite withstanding an exciting second-half fight-back from the Penguins, the Lions held the tactical supremacy throughout an absorbing contest. Hobart led 24-0 at half-time through three tries from their dominant pack who varied repeat phases from turnovers with aggressive defensive chasing of precisely placed kicking fromWilhelm Koch and Todd Grant, who tantalised the Penguins’ back three. Scraps of possession run by Taroona forwards Marty Cuddihy and Jay Armstrong foundered on the crushing defence…

The resurgent Harlequins defeated University 53-10 at Rugby Park on Saturday to close to within a point of fourth spot in the Tasmanian Rugby competition. Quins converted a 15-0 lead at the break into a procession after weathering a two-try comeback by the Red Men in the second half, combining mauling and striking power through an indifferent Uni defensive line. Repeated turnovers provided ample opportunities for both teams, but the Quins backs showed greater composure to control the contest throughout. Harlequins’ effort around the field was typified by the defensive contribution of Vaha Afa, the solidity of Chris Lobley and…

RUGGED BULLS INTERCEPT PENGUINS RUN Devonport Bulls showed the capacity to win big matches in Hobart with a resurgent and gallant 22-21 defeat of Taroona Penguins in a fascinating contest at Rugby Park on Saturday.  An intercept 85 metre try to Bulls’ left wing Alex Reimer, converted from wide out by Connor Mack five minutes from time lowered the Penguins’ colours for the first time in 2012 Taroona conducted business as usual from the kick-off, leading 18-0 courtesy of tries to Charlie and Rob Holmes and some poor Bulls discipline, leading to two successful penalties.  Devonport then dominated territory and…

Bulls bruising cruise to second Devonport Bulls stole revenge and second place on the Tasmanian Rugby ladder with a 32-16 win over Hobart Lions at Don Recreation Ground on Saturday. The victors finished strongly after holding a 17-6 half-time lead, but were made to work for their standing in a match where big hits in defence and a keen contest at the breakdown meant plenty of turnovers and counter attack from both sides. The advent of 29 penalties, mainly for offences on the ground at the breakdown, also resulted in the contest featuring very little structured phase play. Devonport built…