Some news from our Country Rugby Community

I Know it is a bit late but it is very rare to get news from our friends down in Dunsborough 


So here is their finals report of 2009 

A good crowd braved terrible weather conditions on Saturday to watch the Grand Final of the South West Rugby Union competition between the Dunsborough Dungbeetles and the Bunbury City Bulls in Dunsborough

Margaret River were reinforced by Collie to play Katanning in the curtain raiser but the visitors were too strong running out 40-0 winners. The score wasn’t indicative of the game with Katanning having strong finishers to take advantage of all their opportunities while the Gropers missed cohesion in the backs.

The grand final game was played in two distinct halves with the wind proving too strong to kick against. Bunbury had first use of this advantage and were on the board in the first minute when Dunsborough spilt the kick-off forward into a team mates hands and he was ruled offside. The kick was put through with the wind assisting and the Bulls led 3-0.

After 20 minutes at a brisk pace tempers flared and a Bulls player was sent off for 10 minutes after a careless high tackle led to a melee.  This lack of discipline cost the Bulls some momentum and opportunity while they had the wind advantage.

The game was still played almost exclusively in the Bulls attacking zone thanks to some good tactical kicking and the pressure exerted finally told when, back to 15 men, they scored after 30 minutes. The conversion was wide but the Bulls were out to an 8-0 lead.

Dunsborough realised the futility of kicking and kept the ball in hand to advance into the Bulls half and then defended stoutly for the remaining 10 minutes until half time.

After the break the Dungbeetles made good use of the wind to keep play in their offensive area and won back plenty of ball at the scrum and lineout.  Best forward Paul Birch barged over for a try from the back of a good ruck shortly after the restart but the referee ruled a fellow forward had obstructed a tackler and the try was disallowed.

The Dunsborough backs, led by skipper and best player Mitch Brierty, were creating plenty of opportunities but the Bulls defended spiritedly to deny the home team a score. Some individual brilliance from best back Wayne Green saw him cross near the posts in the 60^th minute and Luca Zanzotto added the extras to reduce the margin to 8-7.

With time running down the Dungbeetles rolled the ball forward repeatedly but couldn’t break the last line of the Bulls defence. With 5 minutes to go persistence was rewarded with the Bulls conceding a penalty directly in front which Zanzotto slotted to the delight of the home crowd and Dunsborough led 10-8. 

From the kickoff Dunsborough secured possession and just needed to keep the ball downfield but a clearing kick slewed off the side of the boot and went across field to the Bulls winger who stepped the Dungbeetles defence to score a try and the Bulls led 13-10.

With the seconds ticking down Dunsborough had one last chance when a penalty was awarded 40 meters out from goal, kickable in the wind to tie the game and go into extra time. The decision was made to tap and run and force a try for outright victory but this wasn’t to be and the Bulls were deserved victors for 2009 in an exciting down to the wire game.  

DUNGBEETLES PRESENTATION NIGHT

The Dunsborough Dungbeetles capped off their season on Friday night with trophy presentations at the Dunsborough Tavern.  The long weekend and holidays led to a lower than expected turn out to witness the awards for the season but those in attendance enjoyed the evening. 

Best player for the season went to Paul Birch with Rob Hobson winning best forward and captain Mitch Brierty taking out the best back award.

Most improved went to Dave Schleuter in his first senior season after playing for the local Crusader Colts earlier in his rugby career. All Dunsborough supporters wish Dave well in his prospective Army endeavours and hope to see him represent Combined Services in the future.

Queenslander Dan Ghali was given the clubs rising star award for his stellar elevation to the peerage of the front row where he excelled and will be a pillar of the feared Dungbeetle scrum.

Club stalwart Amanda Cutler was rewarded for her tireless admin efforts with best club person while former coach Paul Hacquoil took out best supporter for his enthusiastic urgings.

Club president Scott Davison thanked all for a season that saw the club runners up in both the Country Carnival and South West grand final but convincing minor premiers in the local competition.

A big thank you to Grant Henley who send me the report on the finals and also for the details on the Presentation night