The following report is by Tim Adams.
Powerhouse 27 Eltham 24
A penalty try and penalty goal late in the game to give Powerhouse a 27-24 victory over the visiting Eltham side in some ways told the story of Eltham’s performance on Saturday. Botched scoring opportunities, poor ball control and a constant string of penalties that resulted in three yellow cards (two for repeated infringements) proved costly for Eltham. Frustratingly, and not just for the coaches, this was a match in which Eltham played some of their best rugby of the season.
A dominant first half saw Aisea (Wise) Naulago, Samu Rokoraivoka and Mark Scott make big line-breaks, and an Eltham backline willing to use the width of the field in attack. Constant pressure within the Powerhouse half was rewarded when Ari Su’A scooted down the touchline, and backs and forwards combined to see Mark go over to extend the lead to 10-0. That said, a couple of missed opportunities and mounting penalties against Eltham (and our first yellow card) saw Powerhouse score twice from basically the only times in the first half that they were able to effectively go deep into the Eltham half, to take a half-time lead of 14-10.
More penalties and an inability to control possession hampered Eltham’s efforts to get on a roll early in the second half. With Powerhouse scoring to take a 17-10 lead, two tackles by Hema Buchanan to hold opposition players up and give Eltham the scrum feed appeared to turn things back in Eltham’s favour. After Aiden Smith was denied a try courtesy of a forward pass after a slick backline move, backs and forwards once again combined in a multi-phase attack to see Rueben Stanley score, with Daniel Gannon converting to lock the game up at 17-17. A brilliant “steal” by Eliah James triggered a counter-attack following the kick-off, with a break by Robbie Hausegger with Wise in support had Aiden go close before several pick-and-drives had Tomasi Q Mocevakaca go over near the posts, Daniel’s conversion giving Eltham a 24-17 lead. And then there were more penalties, some spirited Eltham goal-line defence, perhaps too spirited with an Eltham player receiving a yellow card for high tackle, a third yellow card and finally a penalty try and a penalty goal to give Powerhouse a 27-24 victory. Certainly, the one that got away! Many strong performances on the day, with Tomasi, Atinae (AJ) Faumina and Peli Navanua combining with some smart backline plays. The award for “premature celebration” goes to Aiden who, sprinting clear with the line open, did a left-arm fist pump….before being called back for a forward pass!
Kuzina Player of the Match: Eliah James
Try scorers: Mark Scott, Tomasi Q Mocevakaca, Ari Su’A, Reuben Stanley
Conversions: Daniel Gannon 2
Full replays can be found at localrugbyhub.com.au/explores — click the View tab on the left-hand panel and scroll down to the match of interest.