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 Craig to boost the Lions defence. On a rare excursion into the Harlequins quarter, Hobart blew a try with a wayward pass.
On resumption Hobart’s improved line-speed and skilled kicking pressure found territory and Wilhelm Koch forced over following a scrum. A perfectly timed tackle from Ma’afu prevented Koch from repeating through a counter, kick and chase. Hobart varied their lineout options, robbed Harlequins of line defenders through raking kicks from Koch and Todd Grant and compromised Quins scrum possession. The decider came from a driving maul near full-time but the Quins voices and cohesion had dropped through conceded penalties well prior.
At Glenorchy, home team Stags bowed to Taroona Penguins 36-5 in a torrid contest but telling scoring out wide by the Penguins either side of half-time built the margin. Taroona anchored their discipline and shape off a solid scrum and saw a tireless performance from Nathan de Hoog and decisive back play from Christo Le Grange and Charlie Holmes. Glenorchy’s Jason Duffy saved two tries with Josh Dorahy and Ben Mackie the best of their pack.
Devonport Bulls pulled the welcome mat from under Uni to win 62-7 after conceding the first try. The winners ran straight, supported well through short passing and moved the ball wide, resulting in four tries to Shaun Puke and a hat-trick to Mark Meo. Deceptive running from Dave McGinley posed further challenges to the Red Men’s defence. Young Bulls lock Tom Scarfe stepped up well. Uni relied on good efforts from Chris Burt, Nick Schmidt and reserve fly-half Aiden Stalker.
Launceston managed a bonus-point 31-7 win from Eastern Suburbs at Royal Park. ‘Easts harassed us but we eventually settled’, said Launceston coach Ray Burgess. Forwards Sam Rice and Robbie Lyons led the Bees pack to dominance and fly-half Gus Cosgrove exerted control for Launceston. Coel Ikin, Judd Sherratt and James Stephenson were impressive for the Roosters.
Burnie Emus recovered pride in defeating AMC Vikings 56-24, posting four tries in the first half. With extremely inexperienced players amongst the backs, the Emus concentrated charges in the forwards with Dayne Apiti, Dylan Lawrie and Brett Bentley showing out. AMC replied through a hat-trick from Toetuu Vaka, with support roles from Joel Wilson and Callen Bird.
Scores
Hobart Lions 18 def Harlequins 17
Taroona 36 def Glenorchy 5
Devonport 62 def University 7
Launceston 31 def Eastern Suburbs 7
Burnie 56 def AMC Vikings 24
Ladder update
Taroona 73
Devonport 73
Hobart Lions 68
Launceston 51
Harlequins 46
Burnie 37
University 34
Glenorchy 32
Eastern Suburbs 11
AMC Vikings 4
