University boys learn from loss to trounce Swampdogs
UNIVERSITY avenged last weekend’s disappointing second half performance against Souths to overpower Swampdogs 47-19 at Marrara’s Rugby Park yesterday.
Swampdogs’ start to the season had been promising. After failing to be competitive last year, the rural club proved through their first three matches that they were a different outfit this year.
A 12-point defeat to Palmerston last week showed they were no easy-beats.
Meanwhile, the Pirates came into the fixture off the back of a disappointing fivepoint loss to Souths after they led 14-0 at halftime.
Coach Hone Edwards was disappointed with his side’s effort in the second 40 minutes of that clash. They made up for that with an explosive start.
The Pirates charged up Swampdogs’ end and propelled the ball to the right through their backline. Fly-half Liam Walker, who was standing at second receiver, cut in on his right foot to slide through the defence under the posts.
Uni held possession in Swampdogs’ half for most of the opening 25 minutes.
Their defence held up until Pirates’ captain Wayne Robinson barged over from close range, for his first of three tries.
They wrapped up an early bonus point through a try to David Taylor and a second to Walker, who latched onto an offload, busted through and charged over the line.
A Lawrence Watego individual bust from 35 metres out put the Pirates 33 points ahead at the break.
Swampdogs hit back straight after the teams returned.
Off a scrum 10 metres from the pirates line, five-eighth Harry Burns beat his opposite in Walker one-on-one, to slide through under the sticks.
Robinson scored his second with 20 minutes remaining, putting to bed any thoughts of a comeback.
He shot through the Swampdogs’ line close to the stripe and wrestled his way into a positon where he could ground the ball.
However, Swampdogs never gave in. Two Clancy Court tries just before the buzzer epitomised the team’s spirit.