Eltham 17 Power House Conference 44
It’s been a huge campaign for our Senior Men’s 1st XV — and while Saturday’s Metro Semi Final against Power House Conference didn’t go our way, this group has given everything for Eltham all season long.
An under-strength Eltham side were well-beaten by a well-drilled Powerhouse team 44-17 in their knock-out Conference Cup semi-final at Albert Park on Saturday. While Eltham’s cause was not helped by the late withdrawal of a number of key players, it is fair to say that issues around retention of possession and team discipline played a significant role in their defeat: indeed, they played most of the second half a player down due to a red card. Some match highlights:
An ominous start, with Powerhouse jumping out to an 8-0 lead before an Eltham penalty saw Reuben Stanley breaking the defence from a lineout 30m out with Luc Gavillucci in support. Several phases later and Ari Su’a crashes through to score, with Eliah James converting to have Eltham close the gap to 8-7.
With the “verbal” starting to rise, Powerhouse take advantage from a number of penalties to go deep into attack, scoring to extend their lead to 13-7.
A great catch by Riley Strachan from the ensuing kick-off has Eltham putting together multiple phases before the opposition are penalised, with Eliah’s penalty goal taking the score to 13-10.
With Powerhouse pressure inside the Eltham 22m, an Ari “steal” launches an Eltham counterattack. A subsequent lineout 30m out sees Gianni Teoh making a break, with Aisea Naulago, Atina’e Faumuina (AJ) and Tolu Luatutu combining before Eliah scores to give Eltham the lead 17-13 with Eliah’s conversion.
Turnovers starting to hurt Eltham, with possession too easily gifted to Powerhouse who score to go ahead 18-17 just before half-time, and Eltham’s first yellow card. Multiple penalties going the opposition’s way inspire a huge defensive effort from Eltham on their line before Aiden Smith defuses a Powerhouse attack with a try-saving intercept.
A tough second half. Another yellow card and a subsequent red card had Eltham scrambling to stay in the match, compounded by more penalties and poor ball security. Nonetheless, the Eltham boys never gave up and continued to take the game to Powerhouse even as the score mounted. Some fine individual performances, none more so than Ari, who constantly broke through the defence to provide the team with numerous attacking opportunities. A special mention to our wingers, Alex Zanta and Aiden, unfazed by the size of opposition attackers, and AJ who was strong in attack!
Kuzina Player of the Match: Ari Su’a
Try scorers: Eliah James, Ari Su’a. Goals: Eliah James — 2 conversions, 1 penalty goal.
A huge thanks to coaches Arron Dalgarno and Theo Trollip, who stepped up to take on their roles when it was uncertain if we would actually have a team to coach, and did a great job across the season! And to Roger Iacobucci, whose persuasive powers (enough said!) were put to good use to ensure we did have a team, even if on occasion we had to call on some “retirees” to make up numbers (thank you Brodie, Peter and Sean). Finally, many thanks to everyone who laced on the boots to play for Eltham this year, be they old hands or newcomers. So much respect for you for pulling on the Eltham jersey and going out and putting your bodies on the line for our club. We didn’t get there this year — so be back next year!
Let’s go Eltham! 🖤💛
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